The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-11-14
The Corrector Of Destinies
Being Tales Of Randolph Mason as Related BIZ
His Private Secretary, Courtland Parks
The LIFE TENANT
BY Melville Davidson Posi-
copyrlaht = KdNarya .. clodo

NJ.
the doors and windows to invite in
sat little breeze there was. was
s.urbed by this, and presently arose
q took cold shower bath, after
tich Pietro brought me a continen-
breakfast served on a tray.
Il was early then. doubtless not
,er than six o'clock, when l left my
,lchamber. AS 1 turned the landing
tie stair, l noticed q man standing
the street door. He was a tall,
snder young man. rather well dress
the lower part OF his face was
gden by a handkerchief, which he
id pressed against his mouth; there
IRE blood spots, widening on the
undkerchief, and an unmistakable
preston OF fear was in the eyes.
vas evident that he had met with
,ne injury.
/ led him at once into the once and
lng for Pietro. In q moment the
tier was at the door, and directed
n TO bring bowl Of. water as
alckly as possible. So far, the In
red man had not spoken. doubted.
he could speak, the wound being
silently in the mouth or throat. The
cment he got into the room he lay
aEn at full length on the floor, per
Htly motionless. his head back, his
yes closed, still pressing the bloody.
iudkerchief to his lips. When Pie
10 set the bowl OF water on the floor
sslde him, he dipped the handker-
lief into 1t, squeezed out the blood
nd returned the damp cloth to his
touth. ! saw the blood coming slow
from between his lips; It was very
hght-arterial blood. a little frothy.
turned to Pietro and directed him
b call a surgeon. At the word the
bleeding man shook his head and
pened his eyes with an expression OF
rutest. This refusal of medical at
iudance in one so desperately hurt
rss to me highly significant; It sub
sted him instantly to suspicion. I
stermIned to see II he could speak.
DO you want a physlcian2" I
liked.
He shook his head.
Are you badly hurt?"
Again he replied with the same
sgative sign.
What is the matter with you
len" purposely phrased the ques-
An so that a nodding would not
iswer 1t.
"a ruby" he saia thickly behind
b handkerchief. The reply was un-
telglblo to me. It was doubtless
me term current among criminals.
vas now convinced that the man
tonged to the criminal classes. He
rs certainly injured and he refused
Eurgeon-yet could not leave him
IDLE on the floor. In this quandary,
turned to find Randolph Mason
1nding behind me.
'Pietro,' he said, this man is hay
y a hemorrhage. Leave him alone"
Then he went back into the next
ION.
Instantly the mystery cleared. The
poF fellow was merely a consump-
he, doing the only thing possible
b slight bleeding--to lie stretched
u motIonless. The hemorrhage had
aubtless come on him in the street,
I'd he had noticed our open door
I'd come in. The flow of blood had
ov about ceased, and I went to my
iOle to examine the mornings mail.
Presently the man got up and sat
oTn in chair by my table.
Was that Randolph Mason?" he
I'D.
yes" I replied.
z thought So" said the man. 81
aae to New York to see two great
Pec!alists, DR.. Ashby Clark and Ran
hlph Mason"
He tapped his breast with his I'm
a.
Clark says no good. I wonder
nat Mason will say"
You were looking for his house,
stn?"
Yes; was coming up the steps to
when l got the ruby" This he
BLAMED; THAT'S what we call the
eaorrhage, the blood is SO bright,
= know-a technical term of the
Mger'."
7 thought you were wounded
lglar,' l said. 'Tfs you wish to talk
'h Mr.. Mason, you would better go
now while there is an opportunity"
The man arose and went into the
.Nate Office. l heard Mason direct
% to be seated and order Pietro
give him a glass OF whisky.
came over to see you and DR..
aFE,' began the VISITOR; CLARK, be-
use have consumption; you, be-
use no man ever has simple con-
NaptIon. He always has another
guole with it--a bad heart that
Sat stand high attitudes, wife who
olt leave the home folks, or no
Cos. My fix is the latter. Clark
Us | will last six months in an
leFiean climate; but II l Will 60 at
zee to the Marquesas Islands, my
% VIII probably heal and will
as on until some native pinks mo
'th a fish spear.
! guess the place isn't so bad; it's
sGer the French ana quite garden
1aen, Clark says. But It is away