Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-09
CHAPTER x.

SauOnS seemed to him the only way
of .quelling their tumult:
How simple he wrote, must be
the emotions of a condemned criminal
before the xecution-compared to
mine. He has only to turn his back
on life and face death. He is relieved
of all responsibility Of choice by the
verdict of a nation-there was no day
in all his life for which his plans
were easier made. But l am whirled
round and round In vortex of posi-
bilities. I have to fog myself into the
chamber of horrors. I have to take
the responsibility for what happens to
me there. So many things may hap
pen, worse than death-some fright
full manning On the other hand, per-
haps only a few minutes of pain and
discomfort, and then life-real life
the legacy of all the ages, which has
so few heirs, so many litigants. The
wonderful, sheltered life. which only
money can buy-only poverty teach
one to value.
He heard the chug-chug of motor
stopping outside
It's modern symbol" he thought.
feTen thousand pounds will not buy
much, but 1t is the life-buoy which will
enable me to make the shore--to keep
my head above the sea of humanity.
Ten thousand pounds"
The door opened, and Abdul Won
Tarsenheim entered.
II bring you the money, my friend,
the ten thousand pounds-the won
derful magic rod, is 1t not? Count
them!" He threw bundle of notes
on to the dining room table in front
Of Fabian, and sat facing him as he
fingered them, trying to count them
over but the figures always slipped
back and got lost in the chaos of his
mind.
Eyes, my friend, they are the real
magic, and IL they are not given they
are 30 hard to get-such price must
be paid-such a price! l tell you,
you get yours cheap! You can buy
all the wonderful young life, for you
are paid In advance-not long, long
afterwards, when all the shops are
shut-yes?"
when all the shops are shut?"
echoed Fabian. when all the shops
are shut"
Come, count the money!" said
Won Tarsenheim, rising, for it Is
time Well, then. do it for you.
There are five of one thousand, is it
not? There are forty of one hun
dred, yes?-and ninety of ten. For
the clothes buy for you keep back
ten pounds. Is it right?"
The money is all there answered
Fabian, hoarsely, but for Gods sake
tell me, before take it, what is the
price / must pay for it?"
No man knows before what price
he will have to pay for anything. but
each man fear he pay more than his
neighbors. Come! The planets do
not wait! The great wheel turns, and
we will be late. Then, for another
month, you will have to wonder and
fear"
Fabian rose. His face was white
and drawn. He gathered up the
notes with a shaky hand and showed
them into his pocket without speak
ing. Then he followed Vom larsen
helm out into the passage. and through
a door which had hitherto always
been locked 1t was the dingy, com
monFlace room where Won larsen
helm kept his curious glass machine.
A man of about his own height was
pacing the room feverishly. He wore
a motor mask.
ssThe headsman!' Fabian spoke his
thoughts aloud.
The man in the goggles stopped his
excited promenade and looked at the
scapegoat curiously, scanning him as
a man looks at a horse he is buying
to carry him through some difficult
expedition. Dare and Vandraken look
ed at one another. Won Tarsenheim
looked at them both. Fabian's eyes
told him nothing Vandraken's told
him that he was looking at a gen
tleman like himself, and he felt
vaguely sorry that Won Tarsenheim
had not provided someone Of a lower
class, class which was used to be-
ing done up. "a sensitive, poetical
sort of chap" thought vandraken, tax
ing in the oval face and the sloping
eyes.
You have been paid?' he asked.
Yes" Dare's voice came mufled
and unnatural
And you understand what you are
being paid for?"
I am selling myself to be expert
mented on-that is all I understand"
How's this?" Vandraken turned to
Won Tarsenheim Didn't I tell you
that the-the scapegoat was to know
what he was undertaking? won't
have him in position to say roped
him IN! Tell him now!"
ut is better he should not know"
He took Vandraken aside and talked
to him in low voice. 81 have told
him." he whispered, that he would
be paid for being the subject of an
experiment-tha there was danger in
it. Himmel! A man does not get ten
thousand pounds for nothing! He
gives something for it-many things.
In one hour, when it is over, and he
finds himself alive and well, he will
leave this house-oh, very happy!
But what if he went running to the
glass every hour? He would fret!
f-sf! fret! and that would be bad for
afm-for the experiment.
You said he would not believe it.
That's what you said"
This man might. He is in touch
with the masterchord, and a poet.
tell you, he was about to kill himself
The had no money. This saves him
Instead of death, you give him life and
money. In return he renders you