The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-13

Is, 19O9.
 be as free as I. I won't die inside of a month. I'm sure. He'd come here and laugh at me, and he'd kill me in the end. God! know he would. He'd have the joy of seeing my pain and terror and defeat-he'd see me last. I'd be bloody and crushed and"-
 He checked himself in the midst of these dire forebodings to rise suddenly and cross to the ghastly looking frame with the cords, the hinges and the great broadax that lay harmlessly in the grooves at the top. For many minutes he stood and gazed at the ax, his flesh as cold as ice. Then he tested the cords. The ax dropped heavily to the block below.
 The odor of geranium leaves assailed his nostrils. With an ugly impulse he turned and swept the pots from the window box, scattering them over the floor.
 He lifted the broadax to it's place. tenderly,s almost lovingly. By my soul, it's a beautiful piece of work. Jt's as sure as the grave itself.''
 Again he stood off and looked at the internal bit of his own handiwork, his eyes glistening with dread of the thing. He turned and lied to the op- posite side of the room, keeping his back toward the silent guillotine which seemed to be calling to him. He glanced slyiy, fearfully, over his shoulder ard then faced the thing deliberately, his jaws set, his eyes staring.
 ''It is quick way-a sure way" he muttered. q haven't anything to live for and but few years at most. No body cares whether I live or die-not even I. James Bansemer could not bat ter me down, as he surely will, if I'-
 He crossed to an old chest and un- locked it's lid with feverish haste. A bundle of papers came up ill the grasp of his tense fingers. Casting dreadful glances at the insistent ax. he seated himself at the table and began looking over the papers.
 ''He won't take his fathers rotten money, but he'll take mine. It's honest. It represents wages honestly, bitterly earned. There's more than $20,000 to give him. He'll be surprised. Twenty thousandv' He laid the first paper, his will drawn in favor of Graydon Ban semer, signed and addressed, upon the table and then carelessly tossed the other documents into the chest. 'By the Lord Harry, I'll have the best of James Bansemer yet. His boy will take my money even though he spurns his. God! wish could see him when he knows all this. It would be gloriousv'
 He fingered the document for tense moment and then arose to remove his coat and vest. These he hung away in his closet with all his customary care fitness. In the middle of the room he stopped, his quivering face turned to. ward the gaunt thing of execution. His feet seemed nailed to the floor. His brain was urging him to go on with the horrid deed; his body was rebelling
 Suddenly he found his strength of limb. With guttural howl he clasped his hands to his eyes and fled blindly into his bedroom. Hurling his long. shivering frame upon the bed, he tried to shut out the enticing call of the thing of death. How long he quivered there, shuddering and struggling, he could not have told. In the end-and as suddenly as he had fed-he leaped up and with shrill laugh dashed back into the other room.
 There was no hesitation in his body now. With maniacal glee he rushed upon the devilish contrivance in the corner, tearing the ax from it's place with ruthless hands. Throughout the building rang the sounds of smashing wood, furious blows of steel upon wood, and high above the din arose the laugh of Elias broom. In two min utes the guillotine lay in chips and splinters about the room.
 Dropping back against the wall, wet with precipitation, a triumphant grin upon his face, Elias surveyed the wreckage. His muscles relaxed and his eyes lost the dread that had filled them. The smile actually grew into an expression of sweetness and peace that his face had never known before
 As he staggered to chair great sigh of relief broke from his lips.
 "There!" he gasped. "It's over; it's over! My head is on my shoulders 1t really is after all! 1t is not rolling into the corner-no, no! By my head my own head, too-it was close call for you, Elias broom. Now I'll take what comes. I'll wait for James Ban semer! I'll stick it out to the end. If he comes, he'll find me here. I've conquered the internal death that stood waiting so long for me in that corner, and never suspected it either. How near 1t was to mel 1t stood there and waited for me to come. It knew that would come sooner or later! But I've smashed it. It's gone! It's not there!"
 With eager hands he gathered up the pieces of wood and cast them into the stove. As the remains of that frightful minister of death cracked and spit with defeated venom Elias broom calmly pulled on his worn dress ing gown, lighted his pipe and cocked his feet upon the stove rail, serene look in his eyes, a chuckle in his throat.
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