The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-08-03


the dingy room in furtive way.
Henry hasn't come back, he
hoarsely whispered He took feeble
step forward anu fell back again and
clutched at the chair arm, gasping.
"Wh- where are my drops, he
family stammered.
His shaking hand hovered over a
little table that stood beside the chair,
and then descended on a bottle. He
managed to spill little on hand
kerchief and held the cloth against
his nose and mouth.
Presently he laid it down and again
started about the room, as if fearing
observation.
This may be my last chance" he
muttered. Something seems to tell
me it is"
He tottered away from the chair,
and crossing the room stood in the
doorway holding fast to the casing.
II know I'm mad" he muttered.
"Henry knows it. Henry shouldn't
leave me alone. He mustnt-he
mustn't. Not after this Henry is
faithful boy. He has waited a long
time for the old mans money. The
yellow face suddenly wrinkled into
the semblance of smile. THE money
will do him no good-no good. He
doesn't need it as much as | need
him" He drew a gasping breath
"Henry must go with me, yes, yes
Then his tone turned to a pathetic
whimper I'm afraid to go alone
afraid to go alone
He let go of the casing and stumD-
ling across the hall, disappeared IN
the opposite room.
He was gone perhaps five minutes
and when he reappeared in the door
way was trembling and gasping, and
staring over his shoulder as If fear
ing pursuit
He stumbled back to the Invalid
chair and dropped into it, his strength
quite spent.
For a little while he lay there white
and shaking.
81 fixed it, he presently whis-
pered. 81 opened the canister and
locked the hammer and set the clock.
I may be mad, but I'm very cunning
Henry doesn't know how cunning
am. no, no. | can't spare him. He
must 20 with me. I'm afraid to go
alone"
His voice trailed off in a little
groan and he closed his sunken eyes.
A moment later door below was
opened and closed and chain jan
gled. Then a heavy foot was heard
on the stair.
IT'S Henry" whispered the Old
man, suddenly rousing from a doze'
Henry has come back
The man who entered the room
was of middle age and quite gray. lie
was thin and pale and dingy in ap-
pearance, and his shifty eyes studied
the old mans face as he came for
ward.
"Wsll?' he abruptly asked.
Nothing, Henry" the old man
quavered
Amy more attacks?"
mo, Henry. But you mustn't go
away again. I'm afraid to be alone
"You were all right" said the
younger man. Il barred you in. No
harm could come TO YOU
"It amt the outside harm that
fear. Henry. I'm afraid of myself.
Nonsense. You've been dreaming
Here, it's time for your powder
He gave the old man the medicine
and looked again at the cheap cloch
on the mantel.
"What time is it, Henry? l DON
seem to see so we'll as | did.
The younger man gave the wrinkiet
face a sharp look.
Gust 2 o'clock. | was gone ex'
actly half an hour. Hinckley kept me
n little longer than l expected, and
stopped at the butchers for the bee
for your BROTH"
"You-you didn't get dear piece
did your" the old man tremulousl!
asked.
NO"
That's right. It, isn't well t
waste. What did Hinckley say?'
"He said those eviction suits woult
be started next week
Good. You told him not to shov
any mercy"
II told him to push the case
along as fast as possible"
"That's right, that's right"
The younger man had taken
chair near the window and sat WITT
his back to the light his shifty eye
ltudying the old face, and his finger
uervously drumming on the table.
"Hinckley said Jim's boy came 1
70 see him this morning
"Hm's boy. What did be want
f5iackley?'