Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-01-23
SATURDAY JANUARY 2s. 1909.

Otner Ugly tale, there's no more evil
dence against him than there is
against you or mer'
''They didn't find the body on my
ground" had been the others surly
retort. 'and didn't clear out the day
before either"
The phenomenon. however, whether
credited or poohpoohed. was a draw
ing card. More than a few found oc-
casion to climb the mountain by the
hillside trait that skirted the lonely
cabin. These as likely as not saw
Prendergast lOunging IN the doorway
smoking. while the younger man
worked. leading a trench along the
brow OF the hill to bring the water
from fits intake, which Harrys quick
eye had seen was practicable
The spectacle OF Hugh Stires. who
had been used 10 pass his days In the
saloons and his nights in even less be-
coming resorts. turned practical miner
added a touch OF opera boufe to the
situation that to n degree modulated
the rigor Of dispraise IL was the con-
Fensus OF opinion that the new Hugh
Stires seemed vastly different from the
old; that IL he were playing :Se:ame"
II was a curious one.
On the one side was a black record
exemplifed in Prendergast-cloud in
fanny. a shuddering adherence OF his
past self as he saw IL through the pitt
less lens OF public opinion; on the other
was grim constsncy OF purpose. pas
sionate wish TO reconstruct the warped
structure OF life OF which he found
himself the tenant days OF healthful.
peace inspiring toll. a woman's face
that threaded his every thought AS be
welded his pick In the trench or labo-
riously washed out the few glistening
grains that now were 10 mean his dai.
" sustenance he turned often 20 gaze
mp the slope where. set In its foliage.
the glass roof OF the sanitarium spar
Sled softly through the Indian haze.
Strange that the sight should mysterl-
ously suggest the face that haunted
hlml
Prendergast saw the distracted re-
gard as he came up the trail from the
town. He was In an ugly humor. The
bag or gold dust which h. had shown
90 Harry he had not returned TO the
hiding place in the wall. and with this
In his pocket the faro table had that
day tempted him. The pouch was
empty now.
Harry's back was toward him. and
the gold pan In which he had been
washing the gravel lay at his feet.
with a noiseless. mirthlcss laugh Prem
dergast stole into the cabin and reach
ed down from the shelf the bottle into
which each day Harry had poured his
scanty findings. He weighed Il I'm his
band-almost two ounces. a little less
than SO. re hastily took the empty
bag from his pocket
But Just then a shadow darkened the
doorway. and Harry entered Hc saw
the action and. striding forward. took
she bottle from the others hand.
Prendergast turned on him. a SIMS
ter snarl under his anecta ton OF sur
prise. cant you attend 10 your own
rat killingy' he growled. II guess I've
got a right % what need"
Not 70 that" said Harry quietly.
I'VE shall touch the bottom OF the
dour sack tomorrow. You expect 20 get
your meals here. ! presume"
Il still look forward 10 that pleas
ure." answered Prendergast. with an
evil sneer. Three meals day and a
rotten roof over my head When
Ehink OF the little ! have done TO de-
serve IL. the hospitality overcomeS me.
All have done is 10 keep you from
starving 90 death and out OF Quod at
the same time. / only taught you a
safe way TO beat the game. an easier
one than you seem 10 know, and TO
Ave on Easy street"
II am looking for no easy way" re
spOnded Harry. whatever you mean
by that expect to earn my living as
I'm earning IL now. It's an honest
method, at ell events"
You've grown all fired particular
since you lost your memory" retorted
Prendergast. his eyes narrowing.
you'll be turning dominic one OF these
days. Perhaps you expect to get the
town TO take up with you and 10 make
love to the beauty In the green riding
habit that brought you here on her
horse the night you were out OF your
head"
Harry started. What do you mean?"
he asked thickly.
Prendergast's oily manner was gone
oow. His savage temper came upper
most.
81 forgot you didn't know about
that" he scoffed- Il made a neat story
OF IL In the town. They've been CAB
bling aSout IL ever since"
Harry caught his breath AS through
a mist he saw again that green habit
on the hotel balcony-that face that
had haunted his waking consciousness.
1t had not been Prendergast alone,
then, who had brought him here. And
her act of charity had been made, no
doubt. thing for the tittering OF the
town. cheapened by chatter. coarsened
by jokel
'T wonder If she'd done II if she'd
known all know" continued the 9TH
er malevolently. You'd better go up
to the sanitarium. Hugh. and give her
a nice sweet kiss for it!''
A lust Of rage rose In Harry's throat.
hut he choked IL down. His hand fell