The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-12-27
Didn't I pay UP everything I owed you

Didn't I pay up everything l owed you
by
",\re YOU going to leave that win
dow demanded Grand.
The miserable wretch looked into
the deadly eyes of the man inside and
realized. \ great sob arose in his
throat, lie held it back for a moment.
bur ii grew ana grew as he saw no
pity in the steely eyes beyond
My soul he groanel with the burst
ing Of the sob. lie withdrew his ghast-
" face and rushed away in the night.
stumbling over ropes and PEGS. Great
Ing no end OF havoc non the men
who happened TO toll in his path. They
ran from him. thinking him mad. Half
an hour later Ernie Cronk came upon
aim.
whats the matter?" asked the
hunohbHck.
Ernie" began Rraddock in a voice
that sent a Shiyer across the boys
crooked back it was SO s%epulchral, 'let
me take your pistol a second"
Ernie CrOnk drew back a step. He
eNt&t biitiloCk
who are yon going to kill:" he
asked after a moment
Myself" said Braddock, lifting his
hng2Hrd face.
Again the h~unchback looked long ut
The man. Then. without a word, he
handed 4 new revolver to Thomas
Rraddock. 1t was not the small der
ringer he was wont to carry.
Bfaddock seemed surprised at the
boys readiness. He received the
weapon @in@erly. A sudden spasm
shook his big frame.
Isis it loaded?" he inquired, less
luGubrious than he had been before.
No." said Ernie shortly. Braddock's
chest swclicd suddenly. Il suppose
You think I'm fool enough to let you
Kill Yourself with my gun and me
right here where they could nab me.
Its got blank cartridges, that's all.
Somebody changed 'em on me last
niGht-iust before that-that sneak
went away on the train. But if YOU
really want to shoot YOURSELF went on
Ernie lnaliciously. 1--WE got a round
of real cartridges here. While you're
loadin' the gun | can make Il sneak.
If | was You, though, Id 90 up that
alley there, Brad. It's terrible public
here
You wicked little brute, YOU cried
~Braddock. coming to his feet and
drawing away as if from q viper.
You cold blooded whelp, Ii never
heard Of SUCH
"Ain't YOU going to kill yourself?"
demanded Ernie. grinning.
Braddock appeared to ponder, No"
he said with eager tinality, not just
now. I'm going to have it out with
her first. Then, maybe / won't do it
ut all
Ernie's soothing laugh followed him
into the shadows. 1t was the last
straw. He was an object of derision
TO this thing Of iibes and sneers.
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. Mrs.
Braddock stood over by the tattered
red curtains. pecring ont into the big
top" lie knew just where to look for
her. she always stood there while her
daughter was performing with old
Tom Sacks. Not Tom Braddock, but
al 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 a trace of
emotion in her voice:
Tom. do YOU think Colonel Grand
would be willing to buy out my share
in the show
lie stared. Then he laughed sar-
donicaily.
What are You givin' us? Buy out
your share? ] should say not lie
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 | know how
it stands with you and him. he re-
IGfIeH. NolDt OIL. wary. lou re DOM
trying to freeze me tut. I'm on to the
little game"
Don't speak so loudly she implor-
ell. claspins her hands.
ooh, I'm not tellin' any secrets" he
>Darled. Its Common property. Ev-
erEoly's on. | should think you'd be
ASHAMED to look Christine in the face
God forgive you, Tom Braddock,'
she cried. abiect 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 | StanC
in this here arrangement. Grand's talk
ell charge of the money box. He says
it's YOU and him against me. He's
going to-
He lies, He les
"Oh. let up-let up. I'm no fool"
TON Rraddock. ara you-are you
accusing me-"
he opened his lips to utter the words