The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-01-28
Cal
By CECILE v. SAVER

Scending snOwflakeS hlther and thlth-
err across the space of darkness be-
twixt the earth and sky.
A night when the evil spirit, stalk
ing abroad. seemed to Turk in every
shadow and to voice its presence in
every gust of the tempest-whisper-
ing dark counsels into the ears of
those who were minded to listen
A man, a ragged wastrel, staggering
along a lonely country road, in the
binding snow and the darkness,
hearkened to the voice in the storm.
and grappled with the subtle foe in
conflict 'twiXt conscience and re-
solve. Resolve finally gaining the vic
tory, while conscience went down be-
fore it. at one fell blow; and the Evil
Spirit was triumphant.
The man. realizing the fact, laughed
aloud to himself, and stolidly plodded
on his way.
The road seemed endless. But the
solitary wayfarer-set of purpose
paid little heed to that or to the war
fare of the elements. His mind was
fixed upon one grim intent.
Here and there he passed cottage,
standing dark and silent by the road
side-every light out; for it was past
II o'clock, and their simple inmates
had long since gone to bed.
In the dim distance, however-in
the big house on the top of the hill
Il light was seen to be still burning
in one of the windows on the ground
floor. And the wanderer knew. by
intuition who was in that room-un-
less habit had changed with the pass
ing years-and the knowledge inn
PEELED him to quicken his steps
Curse him" he muttered, savage
ly; why should fortune smile upon
him, while ] am little more than a
beggar?"
"Why-why?" shrieked the voice
In the storm. And the mans hand
crept upwards to the inner breast
pocket of his ragged coat-where a
revolver lay hidden.
A little more plodding and he stood
outside the house on the hill.
Pushing open the big iron gate,
which CHANGED to be unlocked. he
crept steathily along the broad, cir
cuitous drive that led to the house:
the crunching of his footsteps in the
snow being deadened by the noise of
the wind,
The light was still burning in the
room on the ground floor, but the cur.
tains were drawn across the easement
windows, and the interior of the
apartment could not be seen from
without.
Within the room, mana man
with a thoughtful intellectual face
sat at a table, Uttered with papers,
busily writing. Absorbed in his work,
the flight of time passed unheeded by
him. and he was almost unconscious
of the roughness of the night
Tap, tap, tap.
The man at the table started and
pausing for an instant in his work
turned his head toward the window
half doubtful as to whether or not
he had heard anything
Tap, tap, tap. Louder still. There
was no mistaking the sound that
time; and the occupant of the !uXur
iously comfortable room laid down his
pen and, rising from his chair, stepped
across to the easement.
IA 4 ir
he started back violently, as he caught
sight of the evil white face pressed
close against the glass.
Good heavens" he muttered, in
amazement; its George"
Unlatching the windows. he opened
them wide, and the ragged wandercr
of the night stepped into the room
shaking the snow from his tattered
garments, in insolent unconcern, up
on the costly velvet pile carpet.
We're striking contrast, you and
|, brother Wesley, aren't we?" he
sneered. Folks would scarcely credit
the relationship between us, would
they?"
Westley Affords fine countenance
flushed little, and he eyed the other
sternly, as he said.
You have no one but yourself to
blame for your downfall, George; you
know that well enough. We both had
an equal start along life's pathway
only nothing would prevent your tax
N hn
you have lost count of the many
times I've tried to help YOU back into
the right road. However, there's nc
need, ! think, 10 80 over that ground
again. You long since alienated my
sympathy and the sympathies of all
decent minded people. There's no ex
cuse for you, George, and YOU know
1t. You are what you have made your
self"
Curse you, hold your cant" snarled
she other, fierccly Il haven't tramped
thigh on 60 miles-here, and after
four years, to listen TO your preach
ing. | want money, my dear brother
and money | mean to have, by fair
or foul means, Or
You will gain nothing by such
threats broke in Wesley Afford
calmly. Besides what good does
money ever do you? It always goes
the same way--in excess of drink and
riotous living II could only think
differently, would not hesitate &c
help you. Do you imagine'-smiline
little-"that success and fortune
came to me without striving hard tC
win them? Is not that"-pointing t
the pile Of papers upon the table