The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-12-28
Didn't l pay up everything I owed you

The miserable wretch looked into
the deadly eyes Of the man inside and
realized A great sob arose In his
throat. He held II back for A moment
but 1t grew and grew as he saw no
pity In tie steely eyes beyond.
My soulr he groaned with the burst
Ing of the sob. He withdrew his ghast-
~ face and rushed away in the night.
stumbling over ropes and pegs, Great
ing no end OF havoc among the men
who happened to toll in his path. They
ran from him, thinking him mad. Half
an hour later Ernie Cronk came upon
him.
What's the matterr- asked the
~hunchback.
Ernie" began Braddock in a voice
that sent a SILVER across the boys
crooked back 1t was so sepulchral, "let
me take your pistol a second"
Ernie Cronk drew back a step. He
eyed Braddock narrowly.
Who are you going to knlT" he
asked after a moment
Myself" said Braddock, lifting his
haggard face.
Again the hunchback looked long at
the man. Then. without a word, he
handed a new revolver to Thomas
Braddock. 1t was not the small der
ringer he was wont to carry.
Braddock seemed surprised at the
boys readiness. He received the
weapon gingerly. A sudden spasm
shook his big frame.
Isis 1t loaded?' he inquired, less
lugubrious than he had been before.
NO." said Ernie shortly. Braddock's
chest swelled suddenly. II suppose
you think I'm fool enough to let you
kill yourself with my gun and me
right here where they could nab me.
It's got blank cartridges, that's all.
Somebody changed EN- on me last
went away on the train. But II you
really want to shoot yourself" went on
Ernie maliciously, I've got a round
of real cartridges here. While you're
loadln' the gun l can make q sneak.
II l was you. though, I'd 60 up that
alley there, Brad It's terrible public
here"
You wicked little brute, your cried
Braddock, coming to his feet and
drawing away as II from q viper.
You cold blooded whelpl IL never
heard OF SUCH
"Ain't you going to kin ~yourseifr"
demanded Ernie. grinning.
Braddock appeared 10 ponder. no"
he said with eager nnality, mot just
now. I'm going TO have It mi with
her nrst. Then, maybe I wont do It
at ALL"
Ernie's scoffing laugh followed him
into the shadows. 1t was the last
straw. he was an object Of derision
to this thing Of jibes and e
The flush of anger had come back
into his bloated cheeks by the time
he had slipped under the side wall into
the dressing tent A sense Of loneli-
ness struck him.
Christine was In the ring. Mira
Braddock stood over by the uttered
red curtains. peering out into the big
top" He knew Just where to hook for
her; she always stood there while her
daughter was performing with old
Tom Sacks. Not Tom Braddock. but
all the others, noted the weary droop
Of her shoulders.
She started violently when he came
up from behind and spoke to her.
She faced him, hesitated an instant
and then said. without q race OF
emotion in her voice:
TON, do you think Colonel Grand
would be willing to buy out my share
in the shown
He stared. Then he laughed ar
donically.
What are you gfvfn' usf Buy out
your sharef ! should say not He
might buy you. but not your share"
you are a beast Tom Braddock,"
she said, the red mounting slowly to
her pale cheek.
Say, don't you suppose I know how
It stands with you and himr he 70
torted. "Come of, Mary. Yours both
trying to freeze me out I'm on to the
little game"
Don't speak so loudly" she implor-
ed, clasplng her hands.
"Oh. I'm not tellin' any secrets" ho
snarled. "It's common property. Ev-
erbody's on. l should think you'd be
ashamed to look Christine in the face"
God forgive you, Tom Braddock."
she cried, AFFECT horror in her eyes
Say. I've got to have an understand
ing with you" he went on ruthlessly.
I'm going to find out Just how stand
In this here arrangement Grand's tax
en- charge of the money box. He says
it's you and him against me. He's
going to-
HE lies! He liesr
"Oh, let up-let upl I'm no fool
TON Braddock. are you-are you
accusing me?'
He opened his lips to utter the words
which would have ended everything
between them. His eyes met hers and