The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-09-28
THE MAN She LOVED
By EFFIE ADELAIDE ROWLANDS.
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OOdJSSg anu 6CI at IAC VI ubh LII hAAA
self without delay. Little did Ger
vais think, as he walked to and fro,
that all the painful explanations that
presented themselves to his mind
must fall far short of the real one.
He had come away without valet,
and had brought only change of
linen with him so as to prevent any
remark, and had gone to strange
hotel out of the beat of the West End.
Early morning saw him out on the
dreary streets. The snow that had
made the country so pure had become
heavy slush, except at the sides of the
road, where piles of dirty brown
white nature stood in uncomfortable
proximity to the paths. But all the
wretchedness of the cold, raw morn
ing was lost on Gervais; he had other
things to think of than the piercing
wind and thick mud.
He took cab and directed the
Houndsditch, and he was not long in
reaching that poor and busy neigh
borhood. At the top of the road in
question, which the driver had some
difficulty in finding, he got out and
told the man to wait, and going down
the narrow line of laborers' cottages,
he came to small public house, over
whose door hung preposterous-look-
ing bird as a signboard, that certainly
needed the word "Bullfinch" written
below to identity it.
Pushing open the door, Gervais
went into the tap-room. 1t was being
thoroughly washed and cleansed-a
not unnecessary labor, for the whole
place reeked of vile tobacco and worse
beer. The pot-boy stopped whistling
as "the swell"-to use the boys
words-marched in, and his surprise
was deepened when Gervais, in brief,
hard tones. asked for Jim Coates.
E don't live 'eie," was the an
swer.
"Take me to him." Gervais said,
hurriedly; II must see him at once. +"
He drew out sovereign and gave
it to the boy, who dropped his dirty
broom in amazement.
"Crikey!" was his only exclama-
ton, and then he adroitly whipped
the coin into some mysterious pocket,
and began to roll down his sleeves.
"Foller me, sir" he said, respect
fully.
Gervais strobe after the stunted
figure, his heart beating in mad fash
ion against his ribs. Now that the
moment was so near, he grew faint
and almost frightened, but the weak
ness did not last, and as the boy
knocked on the door of small, shah
by hut-for it could scarcely be called
house-he was calm and cold as
iron
wait ere. I'll go and see if 'e's
up, sir.
The boy darted into the unsavory
place, and ran up narrow staircase.
He was few minutes before he
came down.
Jim amt very we'll, sir" he said,
apologetically. "'E's been i'll, hof
and hon, for long while. Would
you kindly tell i'm yer business, sir,
afore he gets up?"
II have come in answer to his let
ter, said Gervais
The boy vanished again, but reap
peared in few seconds.
will you go hup, sir? I'm bound
to go back. You'll find the way easy,
sir, but it amt very grand"
Gervais nodded his head as the boy
ran feetly away.
Up the narrow, dirty, creaking
stairs he climbed with difficulty; and
then stood before a dilapidated room
which faced the stairs, with a pic
ture of filth, misery and horror be-
fore him; a gaunt, unshaven face
peered eagerly from what should
have been bed, but was only mass
of ragged clothes, thrown on the
floor
Have yer brought the swag?'
muttered hoarse, weak voice, and
then the words ended in cry as the
man recognized Gervais, and knew
that the game was up.
A wave of sympathy and disgust
passed over the earl He could scarce
speak at first; then, seeing the
wretched creatures fear. he said
gently;
Il have not come to harm you
only to ask you some questions.
The miserable man, shaking in
every limb. dared to lift his head
again.
i've been bad this many a day,
he whined, wiping the cold perspira.
ton from his brow with thin, shak.
ing hand. II amt got much longer
to live; / knows it-ay, ! knows it.
Speak and tell me the truth,
cried Geryais, sternly. "If you will
tell me the exact truth / will give
you all the help you need. Speak
mani"
What "a ! to say?" queried the
other.
What do you know about--aboui
Lady Derriman. that made you
write such letter to her? Fol
Heavens sake, man, don't lie: tell me
all nowi"
"Ay, I'll tell yer, he said, slowly;
III tell yer all; it 'ull ease my mind
for Lord knows I've been miserable
wretch sin that night. I'm the mar
as murdered George Laxon!"
/