Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-04-08
gay 'oaxer! Wot a lark! wot a

a gay oaGeF. WOt d lark! "ot
lark"
Again there was pause. The
breath of the wounded man came in
labored gasps. There was an ominous
rafting in his throat. Yet once again
he rallied, and this time his eyes
turned to Miss Leslie, bright with an
agonized consciousness of her pres
ence and of all his guilt and shame.
His voice shrilled out in quavering
appeal: "Don't--don't look at me,
miss! l tried to make myself gen
tleman; God knows | tried | fought
my way up out of the East End-out
OF that hell-and none ever lifted fin
ger to help me. | educated myself
like scholar-then the stock sharks
cheated me Of my savings-out of the
last penny; and l had to take service.
My God! a valet-his grcce's valet,
and | a scholar! Do you wonder the
devil got into me? Do YOU"
Blakes deep voice, firm but strange
ly husky, broke in upon and silenced
the cry of agony: There, | guess
you've said enough"
"Enough-and last night My God
to be such beast! The devil tempted
me-aye, and he's paid me out in my
own coin! I'm done for! God ha'
mercy on mcleod ha' mercy"
Again came the gasping rattle; this
time there was no rally.
Blake thrust himself between Miss
Leslie and the crumpled figure.
Get back around the tree" he said
harshly.
What are you going to do?"
That's my business" he replied. He
thrust his burning-glass into her
hand. Here; go and build fire, if
you can find any dry stuff
you're not going to- You'll bury
HIM"
Yes. Whatever he may have been,
he's dead now, poor DEVIL"
81 can't go" she half whispered,
mot until-until I've learned DO you
can you tell me just what is para
noia?"
Blake studied little, and tapped
the top of his head
Near as ! can say, it's softening of
the brain-up there"
"Do you think that" she hesitated
that he had ito"
Again Blake paused to consider.
We'll, I'm no alienist. | thought
lin softly from the first. But that
was all in line with what he was play
Ing on us-British dude Fooled me-
and I'd been cumming with Jimmy
Scarbridge-and Jimmy was the
straight goods, fresh imported-mono-
Gle even-when l first ran up against
him. No: this-this Hawkins. if that s
his name, had brains all right. Still
ne may have been cracked, When
folks go dotty, they sometimes get
extra cute. The best | can think OF
him is that losing his savings may
have made hial slip a cog. and then
the scare over the way we landed here
and his spells of fever probably hur
rled up the softening."
Then you believe his story?"
Eyes. I do. But IL you'll go
please"
Zone thing more-I must know
now! Do you remember the day
when you set up the signal and you
you quarreled with him.
Blake REDEEMED and dropped his
gaze, did he go and tell you that
The sneak"
'If you please, let us say nothing
more about him. But would You care
to tell me what you meant-what you
said them"
Blake's flush deepened; but he
raised his head and faced her square
ly as he answered: NO; I'm not go
ing to repeat any dead mans talk,
and as for what l said, this isn't the
time or place to say anything in that
Hne-now that we're alone. Under
| stand?"
I'm afraid I do not, Mr. Blake
Please explain"
Go be conunued)