Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-10-04
The Corrector of Destirlies
Being Tales of Randolph Mason as Related by
His Private Secretary, Courtland Parks
The LIFE TENANT
By MeIviIIe DAVIDSON Posf
copyright BIZ Edward ]. cloda

l,b Mason's house. II WAS very
ipn a and at daybreak Pietro opened
4no doors and windows to invite in
~ IilYe breeze there was. was
rtnrbed by this, and presently arose
took a cold shower bath, after
Dicb Pietro brought me a Continen-
breakfast served on tray.
u was early then, doubtless not
than six o'clock, when l left my
sabamber. AS l turned the landing
tbn stair, I noticed a man standing
tho street door. He was a tall,
.rdor Young man, rather well dress
tbe lower part Of his face was
idor nv a handkerchief, which he
"A nrAssed against his mouth; there
va blood spots, widening on the
ndkerchief, and an unmistakable
nression of fear was in the eyes.
was evident that he had met with
me injury.
lad him at once into the Office and
10 for Pietro. In a moment the
tor was at the door, and ! directed
IN bring a bowl Of. water as
tckIv as possible. So far. the in
rpd man had not spoken. 1 doubted
ba could speak, the wound being
identity in the mouth or throat. The
bment he got into the room he lay
wn at full length on the floor, per-
tlv motionless, his head back, his
es closed. still pressing the bloody
ndkerchief to his lips. When Pie
set the bowl of water on the floor
side him, he dipped the handker-
eff into it, squeezed out the blood
returned the damp cloth to his
buth. | saw the blood coming slow
from between his lips; it was very
ght-arterial blood, a little frothy.
turned to Pietro and directed him
call a surgeon. At the word the
eding man shook his head and
ened his eyes with an expression of
best. This refusal of medical at
dance in one so desperately hurt
to me highly significant; it sub
ted him instantly to suspicion. /
ermined to see if he could speak.
8 DO you want a physician?" /
led.
he shook his head.
Are you badly hurt%
Again he replied with the same
sative sign
What is the matter with you
No. purposely phrased the ques-
so that nodding would not
|wer 1t.
A ruby" he saic thickly behind
handkerchief. The reply was I'M
Eligible to me. 1t was doubtless
be term current among criminals.
VaS now convinced that the man
Cnsed to the criminal classes. He
certainly injured and he refused
urgeon-yet l could not leave him
pie on the floor. In this quandary,
urned to find Randolph Mason
hiding behind me.
Pletro," he said, this man is hav-
hemowhage. Leave him alone"
hen he went back into the next
m.
lStantly the mystery cleared. The
Fellow was merely a consump-
doing the only thing possible
slight bleeding--to lie stretched
mouonless. The hemorrhage had
OueSs come on him in the street,
ne had noticed our open door
come in. The flow of blood had
ABOUT ceased, and l went to my
to examine the mornings mail.
eSently the man got up and sat
! IN chair by my table.
was that Randolph Mason?" he
ies," I replied.
thought So" said the man. 81
! 10 New York to see two great
,alists' DR.. Ashby Clark and Ran
d Mason"
tapped his breast with his fin
,'asK says no good. I wonder
Mason will say"
uu were looking for his house,
- was coming up the steps to
leA l got the ruby" This he
ailsu; That's what we call the
VIIaase the blood is so bright,
,a nnU"-a technical term of the
thought you were a wounded
% A. said. IF you wish to talk
~ vi, mason, you would better go
while there is an opportunity"
"'an arose and went into the
X Vmoe I heard Mason direct
w. We seated and order Pietro
o.n uiln a glass of whisky.
=, ,atl'e over to see you and DIR.
'SOesan the visitor: CLARK. be-
nave consumption; you. be-
b,a ~ man ever has simple con-
~ he always has another
s,, mi.n it-a bad heart that
l@a uu nigh attitudes, a wife who
Nv, The home folks, or no
n ny nix is the latter. Clark
ric. ~'l last six months in an
IL ~ ~ Cnmate; but if I will go at
win We Ne. .Marquesas Islands. my
on n pro probably heal and will
a e. Snlu some native pinks me
The me Sle place isn't so bad; it's
len ~ ~ french ana quite a garden