Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1909-12-09
CHAPTER XvII.-(Continued.)

My friend" he said, with a new SOL
emnity in his manner, you are on the
threshold Of another world; how dare
you present yourself to the Judge OF
all the earth with a passion like this
in your hearth"
In the momentary rest the beggar
had recovered strength enough to re-
ply: 1T is t-t-true. 1 am on the
threshold of another world! 1 didn't
use to b-b-believe there was one, but ]
do now There must be! Would il
b-b-be right for such d-d-devils as the
One that wrecked my life to g-g-go un-
punished? Not if 1 know anything!
They get away from us here, but if
eternity is as long as they s-s-say it
is, I'll find D-D-Dave Corson if it tt
takes the whole of it, and when 1 if
find him" he paused again, gasping
and s~trangling.
And so you really mean to die with
out bestowing your pardon upon those
who have wronged you?"
Il swear it,"
With a heavy heart, Mantel left him
and hurried home to report the inter-
view to David. He found him just
returning from his work, and conveyed
his message by the gloom of his coun-
tenance.
Has anything gone wrong?" David
inquired, a~nxiously, as they entered
their room.
Casting himself heavily into a seat
and answering abstractedly, Mantel
replied" Each new day of life renders
If mora in nUn1ino h1a ~ ~@0o
er forms a theory than he is compelled
to abandon it. I fear it is a labyrinth
from which we shall none of us es-
cape.'
d. not speak in parallels David
exclaimed, impatiently. eff anything
If the matter, tell me at once. Do not
cave me in suspense. I cannot endure
it. Is he worse? Is he dying?"
H is both, and more" Mantel an
swered, still unable to escape from the
gloom which enveloped him. II have
terrible allusion to the tragedy of your
lives"
What did he say? Quick, tell me-"
He said that he had been wronged
by those whom he had benefited, and
that he would spend eternity in re-
venging his wrongs"
"Horrible!" cried David, sinking in
to a chair. did he show no mercy?
Was there no sign of pardon?"
None! Granite is softer than his
heart Ice is warmer"
David ross and paced the floor.
Pausing before Mantel, he said, pit
eously, Perhaps he will relent when
Pepeeta comes!"
Perhaps! Have you heard from
mo, but her answer cannot be much
longer delayed, for I have written
again and again"
Something may have happened"
said Mantel, who had lost all heart and
hope.
DO not say It," David exclaimed, be-
seemingly. 1T is a long distance. She
may have changed her residence. She
may never go to the postoffce. She
may be sick"
"Or dead!" said Mantel, giving ex-
preston in two words to the fullness
his despair.
"Impossible!" exclaimed David, his
face blanching at this sudden articula-
ton Of the dread he had been strug-
Cling so hard to repress.
They passed out into the night to-
gether and hurried away to the beg
CARS room. Each was too burdened
for talk and they walked in silence.
Arriving at the house, they assembled
he stairs on tiptoe and paused to lis
at. the door. 81 will leave it ajar,
so you nay hear what he says, and
hen o a judge if I am right"
said Mantel, entering quietly.
He approached the table and turned
Up the lamp which he had left burning
limly. By it's pale light David could
see the great head lying on the pillow. |
he chin elevated, the mouth partially
open, the breast heaving with the
efforts to catch a few last fut-
ering inspirations. Nesting close to
he ashen face and licking the cheek
low and then with his little red
ongue, was the terrier.
Mantels football, quiet as it was, dis
urbed the sleeper, who moved, turned
lis head toward the sound and asked
n a husky and but half-audible voice, |
is there?"
1T is 1. How are you now? A little
said Mantel, laying his soft,
DOL hand upon the broad forehead.
vet already with the death-damp.
Il I'm getting weaker. 1t won't-last
he answered painfully.
Il do not want to bother you, but~I
annot bear to have you die without
to you again about your flu
ure; 1 must try once more to per-
you not to die without sending
ONE kind word to the people who
ave wronged YOU"
The expression of the white face un-
a hideouS transformation.
IF you do not feel like talking to me
bout a matter so sacred and personal,
'ould you not like to have me SEND
some minister or priest?"
The head moved slowly back and
,rth in a firm negation.
In every age, and among all men,
has seemed fitting that those who
ere about to die should make some
to meet their God. Have
Oh no desire to do this? If there alb
)lutely no word of pardon or of kind
ess which you wish to send to those
no nave injured you, as a sort of leg
" from the grave?"
"Nope!" he whispered fiercely.
Suppose that your enemy should