The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-10-11
The C0rreCt0r of DeStinieS
Being Tales of Randolph Mason as Related by
His Private Secretary, Courtland Parks
The LIFE TENANT
Bv Melville DAVIDSON Posi-
Copyright by Edward ]. Clode

warm, and at daybreak Pietro opened
all the doors and windows to invite IN
what little breeze there was. l was
disturbed by this, and presently arose
and took a cold shower bath, after
which Pietro brought me Continen-
tai breakfast served on tray.
1t was early then, doubtless not
later than six o'clock, when l left my
bedchamber. AS 1 turned the landing
Of the stair, noticed a man standing
In the street door. He was tall,
slender young man, rather we'll dress
ed; the lower part of his face was
hidden by handkerchief, which he
held pressed against his mouth; there
were blood spots, widening on the
handkerchief and an unmistakable
expression of fear was in the eyes.
1t was evident that he had met with
some injury.
l led him at once into the Office and
rang for Pietro. In moment the
latter was at the door, and l directed
him to bring bowl of water as
quickly as possible. So far, the in
jured man had not spoken. I doubted
if he could speak, the wound being
evidently in the mouth or throat. The
moment he got into the room he lay
down at full length on the floor, per-
fectly motionless, 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-
chief into it, squeezed out the blood
and returned the damp cloth to his
mouth I saw the blood coming SLOW
ly from between his lips; it was very
bright-arterial blood, a little frothy.
l turned to Petro and directed him
to call surgeon. At the word the
bleeding man shook his head and
protest. This refusal of medical at
tendance in one so desperately hurt
was to me highly significant; it sub
jected him instantly to suspicion. I
determined to see if he could speak.
do you want a physician?" l
asked
He eS0ok his head.
Are you Uduly nurL!
Again he replied with the same
negative sign.
What is the matter with you
then?" I purposely phrased the ques-
ton SO that nodding would not
answer it.
"A ruby" he saiu tbickly behind
the handkerchief. The reply was un-
intelllgible to me. It was doubtless
some term current among criminals
l was now convinced that the man
belonged to the criminal classes. He
was certainly injured and he refused
to die on the floor. In this quandary,
l turned to find Randolph Mason
standing behind me.
"Pietro,' he said, this man is hav-
Ing hemorrhage. Leave him alone"
Then he went back into the next
room.
Instantly the mystery cleared The
poor fellow was merely a consump-
tive, doing the only thing possible
for slight bleeding~to lie stretched
out motionless. The 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 went to my
table to examine the mornings mail.
Presently the man got up and sat
down in a chair by my table.
WAS that Randolph Mason?" he
said.
YES" 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. wonder
what Mason will say"
"You we're looking for his house,
them"
Eyes; l was coming up the steps to
1t when I 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
'lunger'"
Il thought you were a wounded
burglar" l 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. l heard Mason direct
him to be seated and order Pietro
to give him glass of whisky.
Il came over to see you and DR..
Clark" began the visitor; "Clark, be-
cause have consumrtion: you, be-
cause no man ever has simple con-
sumption. He always has another
trouble with it-a bad heart that
won't stand high attitudes. wife who
won't leave the home folks, or no
funds. My fix is the latter Clark
says l will last six months in an
American climate; but if | will go at
once to the MarQuesas Islands. my
lung will probably heal and l will
hang on until some native pinks me
with a fish spear.
Il guess the place isn't so bad; it's
under the French anc quite a garden
of Eden Clark says But it is avay
OFF in the South Seas 1t would take
thousand dollars to get there and a
check arriving regularly every paw
day to keep me going. I have read
about the beach-con,bers on these Pa
citc islands-theres no hobo worse
OH. And no way to make a cent
there. Copra is the only trade stuff
and the natives have that. Every.
thing fit for white man to eat IL
timed. You've got to buy It when