The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-09-03
The COrrectOr of DeStinies
Being Tales of Randolph Mason as Related by
HiS Private Secretary, Courtland Parks
The LIFE TENANT
By Melville DAVIDSON Post
Copyright by Edward =. Ciode

Golph Mason's house 1t was very
warm, and at daybreak Pietro opened
all the doors and windows TO invite IN
what little breeze there was | was
disturbed by this. and presently arose
and took cold shower bath after
which Pietro brought me Continen-
tai breakfast served on n tray.
IL was early then. doubtless not
later than six o'clock. when left my
bedchamber. AS | turned the landing
or tho stair. | noticed man standing
IN the street door. He was a tall.
slender young man, rather well dress
ed: the lower part OF his face was
hidden by n handkerchief. which he
heid pressed against his mouth: there
were blood spots, widening on the
handkerchief, and an unmistakable
expression Of fear was in the eyes.
IL was evident that he had met with
some injury.
led him at once into the office and
rang FOR Pietro. In a moment tho
latter was at the door. and / directed
| him to bring a bowl of. water ms
quickly as possible. So far. the I'm.
)ured man had not spoken. doubted
II he could speak. the wound being
evidently in the mouth or throat. The
moment he got into the room he Law
down at full length on the floor. per-
fectly mouonless, his head back. his
eyes closed. still pressing the bloody
handkerchief to his lips. When pie
tro set the bowl of water on the floor
beside him, he dipped the handker-
chiei into 1t, squeezed out the blood
and returned the damp cloth to his
mouth. | saw the blood coming slow
~ from between his lips; It was very
bright-arterial blood. a little frothy.
! turned to Pietro and directed him
to call surgeon. At the word the
bleeding man shook his head and
Cpened his eyes with an expression Of
protest. This refusal of medical at
tendance in one so desperately hurt
was to me highly significant; it sub
1ected him instantly to suspicion.
determined TO see If he could speak.
DO you want a physlcian?"
asked
He shook his head.
Are you badly hurt?"
Again he replied with the same
negative sign.
What is the matter with YOU
then?" I purposely phrased the cues
ton so that u nodding would not
answer 1t.
"A ruby" he said thickly behind
TIE handkerchief. The reply was un-
Ineligible to me. It was doubtless
some term current among criminals
! was now convinced that the man
belonged to the criminal classes. He
was certainly injured and he refused
2 surgeon-yet ] could not leave him
| to die on the floor. In this uuandarv
turned to find Randolph Mason
ctanding behind me.
"Pietro.' he said, this man is hay
ing hemorrhage. Leave him alone"
Then he went back into the next
room.
Instantly the mystery cleared. The
1oor fellow was merely n consumn-
| i've doing the only thing possible
Tor slight bleeding--to lie stretched
out motionless. Tho hemorrhage had
doubtless come on him In the street.
and he had noticed our open door
and come In The flow OF blood had
now about ceased, and I went to my
table to examine the mornings mail.
Presently the man got up and sat
down in chair by my table
Was that Randolph Mason ?" he
said.
Yes" l replied.
Il thought So" said the man. 81
came to New York to see two great
specialists, DR.. Ashby Clark and Ran
dolph Mason"
He tapped his breast with his fin.
ger.
CLARK says no good. I wonder
what Mason will say"
You were looking for his house.
them"
Yes; l was coming up the steps to
/ 1t when ] got the ruby" This he
explained: That's what we call the
hemorrhage the blood is so bright.
! you know-a technical term OF the
/ hunger"
! i thought you were wounded
burglar" 1 said. IF you wish to talk
with Mr.. mason. you would better go
IN now while there is an opportunity"
/ The man arose and went into the
/ private Office I heard Mason direct
him TO be seated and order Pietro
/ to give him glass OF whisky.
Il came over 10 see you and Dr
! Clark began the VISITOR; Clark. be
cause have consumption; you. be-
cause no man ever has simple CON
sumption. He always has another
I trouble with it-a. bad heart that
won't stand high attitudes. a wife who
won't leave tie home folks. or no
funds My fix is the latter. Clark
says I viii last six months in an
American climate; but If / will 20 AT
+ once to the Marquesas Islands. my
lung will probably heal and will
hang ON until some native pinks me
with O. fish spear.
81 guess the place isn't so bad. It's
. under tho French ana quite n garden
/ OF Eden Clark says But II IS away
on i'm the South Seas. II would take
"a thousand dollars 10 get there and
check arriving regularly every pay
day 70 keep mo going have read
about the beachcombers on these pa.
chic Islands there's no hobo worse
or And no way to make n cent
there Copra IS the only trade s..~
ana the natives have that Fv--,.
thlng tit for q white man TO eat is
tlnned. You've got TO buy n when
inc ship lands You've eot to- be "a
government Johnny. missionary or
% H"IFe, Otherwise you live ON ruou.y