Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-17
THE EVENING STORY.
The Queer One.
Copyright. 1913. by W. wernerl


The clerk came INTO the private ONCE
in a hesitating way, as IL not just GER
tain as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF disturbing
his chief. The latter looked up from his
desk and asked what the matter might
be.
Its Just this, sir: There's a queer
sort of fellow out there who is deter
mined to see you. ! don't know what TO
make OF him. He says he's come on busi-
ness of the Grosvenor estate-whatever
he may mean by that l think he's a
crank. sir. Shall 1 send him in" the
harassed man asked.
Forbush hesitated. There's no Grosve-
nor. Yes, send him In. A crank Is
one remove from a genius. and II he
comes without bomb III be willing 10
see him.
Hes the kind that looks as II they
carried bombs, sir was the reply. but
just as you say, SIR
1t was patent that the clerk wished to
have moth ng to do with bomb thrower.
but F'orbuSh told him to usher the man
in.
1t was with some curiosity that the law
yer awaited the arrival of an indivldual
who could arouse in his veteran clerk
tangible evidence of fear.
The door opened and Forbush saw a
small shrunken man of about nfty years
enter. He took the proffered chair ana
sat silent, cycling Forbush. am Joseph
Kiiven." the man said shortly, ana
waited.
Il am at Your service Mr.. Kilven-
What may / do for you?"
Kilven stared and Forbush began TO
be a little uneasy. The lean race, the
steady unwavering eyes were but TWO
of the characteristics that made the man
queer" His skin was tightly drawn
over his face. so that The veins stood
out at the temples. 1t might have been
the face of a reincarnated Pharaoh, or
of some old monk who had lived his LIE
with only one thought and one aim, and
had burned out his soul in pursuit or MS
goal.
The thin lips curved into speech. Il
understand you are attorney for the
Grosvenor Company. AS you are, have
matters to discuss with you Again
came the steady stare. Il have come
many miles to see you and at last my
end is accomplished and I shall find
peace"
Forbush squirmed uneasily. My dear
sir. / am axious to be of service to you:
but please be brief. My time is costly
Yet must tell my story: have come
many miles"
Go ahead. then. I ought to be will
many miles to tell. From where did you
say?"
Il didn't say. From South America :
kilven folded his thin, veined hands.
In a monotonous voice he began the
story, and Forbush let the cigar be-
tween his fingers 90 dead as he listened
Twenty years ago." Kilven said. Il
walked out of the state prison of this
state determined to do right-to do right
you understand? An hour after my
release | was in this city, hunting work;
and not finding it-an old story, eh?-I
reached the point where it was again
steal or starve? Never been there, have
you? It's time you feel that you could
take anybody, even a woman, a girl, by
the throat and choke them to get mon
ey! l wanted something to eat; | was
hungry. / went to the suburbs. waited
for a local car. and l followed man
up side street AS l started to strike
him, he heard me and turned. He didn't
do anything simply said: L wouldn't
Something in his voice held me he pless
What it was | don't know. 1t sounded
a little sorrowful. Strange, wasn't it?
/ could have felled him. Instead | went
home with him. He was Mr.. GrosyenOr,
who first emp Dyed you.
"All this is. far away from South