The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-12-23

able condition of affairs in the anthra-
cite region and to ask your Intervention
on behalf of the afflicted miners. They
regard Christmas as a fitting day
to-"
Bullion spun around in his chair. the
dull flush of anger on his face. Tell
them / positively refuse to be bothered
any further in this matter. The right
and wrong Of the question is being set
tied by a commission appointed for the
purpose. With consideration Of senti-
ment 1 am not concerned"
They do not, 1 believe. base their
arguments upon sentiment. sir" VEN
tured the secretary. They make their
plea in the name of justice and hui
manity."
I'm the name of anarchy and social
ism,' said Bullion, returning to the
perusal of his papers. See that 1 am
not disturbed for an hour"
When the secretary had withdrawn,
Bullion drew a leather-backed chair
within range Of the fire and settled
himself comfortably back in 1t to re-
fleet on the business Of the day. 1t
had been q hard day for Bullion: he
has succeeded In concentrating a deal
Involving vast interest and many mil
lions of dollars. He leaned back in his
chair. He was rery tired.
Hardly had he began to enjoy the
fires genial warmth when he expert
enced an unpleasant sensation; it
seemed to him that some unseen person
was standing directly behind his chair.
He knew that this could not he the
case; he himself had turned the key in
the lock of the only door in the room.
However, impression finally became so
strong that he turned around i'm his
chair and looked behind him. Startled
and angered he jumped to his feet.
There, almost touching his elbow, stood
la man. Something wierdly familiar
about the strangers aspect checked the
Suddenly the truth flashed ACROSS his
mind. He was standing face to face
with his own double!
Bullion rubbed his eyes and sub
Jected the intruder to a closer scrutiny.
He was relieved to perceive that the
man, though enough like him in ply
steal stature to be a twin brother,
differed from him in certain notice.
able points. The stranger was obvious
|ly a younger man than Bullion. both
In years and spirit; his hair was thick
er and less streaked with gray, his
face ruddier and less wrinkled. But the
most striking difference lay in the ex-
preston Of the other mans eyes.
They were, to be sure, the same
color as Bullion'S, but their kindly and
cheerful light contrasted sharply with
the cold CLINT of Bullion's eyes. Then,
too, the thick, firm lips and the heavy
jaw that gave to Billions face a look
of bull dog tenacity and determina-
ton, though present in outline in the
strangers face, were softened by a
smile of ~benevolence and good will.
Recovered from his surprise and an
noyed at the calm and somewhat re-
proachful stare with which the in
truder regarded him, Bullion demanded
OF him, even more grufly thar was
his wont, his name and business.
II" said the intruder solemnly, Il
am your Better Self"
Evidently" replied Bullion coldly,
you are a candidate for Blooming
dale"
II do not wonder that you do not be-
ieve in me, the apparition went on.
For years you have tried to persuade
yourself that / was dead"
In answer to Billions incredulous
"Bosh! l don't believe in ghosts the
apparition held out a hand for him
TO touch in evidence of his corporal
entity.
In spite of himself. Bullion thrust
out his hand. AS his fingers closed on
those of the apparition, the surround
Ing Office faded from his view; for a
long second he seemed to be whirling
through space, n the next moment