Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-02-10

say. Now. Marsh, what do you say to
a royalty of a thousand dollars an
inch?"
The little man was past the stage of
fear now. He saw the whole trick.
He realized how he had been duped.
He had only to tell the truth and ruin
both Pinckney and himself, but then
he hesitated. To tell the truth-what
would that mean? 1t would mean
state prison possibly and disgrace.
And Marsh was not big enough to take
a great revenge. Finally he looked
down.
Nothing" he said at last.
"Nothing" demanded Bradley.
Again Mr.. Durant interfered.
"Mr. Bradley" he exclaimed sharp
~, II see no reason for your cues
tons or your attitude. 1 can't for the
life Of me see what you are getting
at"
Il cam" supplemented Pinckney,
sneering. "I've had experience with
Mr.. Bradley's style Of bluff"
Bradley paid no attention to the gen
eral manager, but turned, speaking to
Mr.. Durant, but looking at Marsh.
II will explain. Mr.. Durant. Lieu
tenant Sommers is an honest man. 1t
Is to him and the girl he loves that Mr..
P1nckney and your wife and l and a
score Of others owe our lives. Tomor-
row he is to answe in Washington for
an accident in which two men were
killed and others MANNED and crippled
FOR life One man is totally blind" A
sharp intake Of breath and a gasp of
horror from Marsh made him pause,
then repeat yer solemnly with en-
phasis: lone forever and ever blind,
a lad of twenty. who must grope his
way through this world to the end of
his way" Marsh was shuddering now,
for the picture brought up to him that
other lad of twenty, his own son, who
had died blind. With inexorable cool
ness Bradley continues:
II know Lieutenant Sommers is
blameless in this affair, and l am here
to find some Il to answer the cry of
justice which comes through the tears
and sobs of the mothers, sisters and
s%weethearts Of those boys. And I'll
find him, Mr.. Durant; I'll find him"
A pitiful picture was Marsh, half
stopped, half c%rouched. shuddering
with horror at the thought Of what he
had helped to do. Frances saw and
completely misunderstood his attitude.
Her eyes filled with tears of sympathy.
She stepped over and put her hand
] panf1v IN tho orn Of tho chy,11arin~
man.
"Mr. Bradley. 1 beg of you not to
question Mr.. Marsh any further" she
pleaded. 'I'm sure if Mr.. Marsh knew
anything about the forging he would
tell you. No one knows the horrors of
that accident better than be. No one
could know. He had a son who was
blinded in an accident
Her voice grew very gentle as she
continued: 1T was with him at his
boys bedside when he died. know
the anguish that he felt then" She
let her arm slip gently around the old
mans shoulder. "And l know if there
was anything to tell he''-
She got nc further. for, with a shud-
dering cry of terrible anguish. the
man drew away from her arm.
Don't" he moaned-"don't say any
more! l can't stand it. I'm going to
strip my soul naked to God and end
this"
He stood up straight to face Brad
ley, n 10 longer the frightened. shud-
dering coward. with a guilty secret,
but a man who had done wrong and
knew it, a %repentant sinner eager to
tell all. There was a look not merely
of anguish. but almost Of exaltation, on
his face. Pinckney saw it and made
his last desperate appeal.
Here, Marsh" he shouted sharply.
But the little man was past his in
fuence now. He faced his former
bully, wide eyed. unafraid, desperate.
IF you speak to me again, as there
is a God above us. l will kill you
where you stand!!' he said in a low,
tense voice of fury. Then with a
quick move be reached to his pocket.
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