The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-03-17
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!. The j Liar |. ], i
by L. Llndsley.


ling shell OF an old shootlng-b to
walt the Incoming tide. when the
wldgeon would return through the,
dusk light. in low. suspicious flights.
to their. might haunts. ~.
AT length i picked up my gun.
rose. shook myself aud started to.
walk back along the sea wall nban-s
doning all thought Of a chance shot.
I had mot proceeded many yards
when. IL In the hollow between the,
ridge and the dixie which cut IT. on
from the salungs, I saw the body, of
a man. He was lying on his breast.
his arms stretched out stifiiy before,
him. hts face buried In the grass.
The attitude could mean only one OF
two thIngs-despnir or
..Hullo!" a.,
The call was Involuntary The
man sprung mp with the quick. ner-
vous action OF one taken unawures.
why can't you leave me alDne?"
he snarled flercely, at bay on the in
stant.
Then. evidently finding I was not
whom he had expected 10 see. he,
scrambled UP in front OF me. aud
stood sllhoutted against the sky--a
pitiable, ragged, wasted figure. He
commenced to- whlmper.
Its those birds: they're always
calling, calling. Curse Ethem!" he
broke out sayageiy: they'll end by
sending me mad. You can't think
what 1t Is" he went on. more quietly.
and making a motion toward the
bank from. which he had risen.
''when that's your bed-=to lie awake
on. listening to those screams. fall.
ing asleep with them still haunting
YOU and making you+dream you're
tormented by screehcinE devils.
He had come step nearer. and
his eyes fell on my gun. lnroluntar-
lily he put out his hand. much as does
child who longs TO touch some OBJ
ject. but half fears to do SO. In a
moment his manner changed. a
by Jove!" he cried; "elght-bore?
That must pepper 'em UP bit!"
AS he spoke the words. In flash
knew the man-Aholsford! Abols-
ford. lost. strayed, dead? Nobody
knew. nobody cared. He was one OF
those who have lived" and gone
ont. Clearly the light OF his memory
shed no CLEAN OF recollection upon
me. The sudden recall of his old
manner. too. had passed as sudden
ly as 1t had come: yet In his bearing
there lurked something apologize.
THAT isn't whhtsI have been used
to-long, yousknow."
He spread out his hands deprecat-
ingly toward the beach and the few
eel catcherst nuts that dotted II.
Once l used to be pretty rich
chap"
True. he had been.
But he went on. Struggling his
shoulders. II had no luck; it all
went"
Gambled. flung wantonly away.
''Well--''
at doesn't bother you to listen?
It's months since met man
could talk to-"
at interests me-" replied.
1t did.
"Well. then the poor old governor
went broke-tlat was derilIsh bad
luck SIS .,.r-5
So 1t was: to be ruined in his old
age. turned out of his home to APP
pease his sons creditors to die bro
ken-hearted bad luck in
deed. But | merely nodded my head.
AFTER that" he staggered nneas-
ily-''of course had to get mar
ried. Not bad sort. with Il pile of
her own; but that wouldn't work.
You know what women are?"
Yes, | knew the woman who had
been tied to this man. who had been
cheated of her money by him. drag
ged down by him. insulted by his
associates. and. finally, deserted by
him for-I shuddered at the recol-
lection.
after that" he proceeded, 81
went In for speculation, but-my
luck Misunderstanding went against
me: yet it's game lots OF chaps
win at" iTt. t,-
The game OF the bogus company!
Why did l let him go on snlying his
wretched mind By one more flash OF
lmposture? All | know Is that i
stood mechanically listening. me-
chemically translatinE lie to fact
"At last" he proceeded. feeling in
his uttered coat. and drawing out
blackened briar pipe. leverything
came to an end. everything but the
bad luck. and that stuck. Plsh!" Il
He dashed OFF his cap and i, saw
that his hair was Hecked with white.
Strange "A fl seemed thTs man was,