Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-04-04

had been driven across the square by
Thompson, the Idle Hour foreman,
and they had passed below the win
dows of Langham's office on their
way to the station. 1t had seemed TO
him an iniquitous thing that the old
statesman's position and influence
should be brought into the case TO
defeat his hopes, to rob him of his
vengeance. to imperil his very safety.
Racked and tortured he had no exist
ence outside his fate and hate. All
that day Langham haunted the rail
way station. If any word did come
over the wires he wished to know 1t
at once. and if General Herbert re-
turned he wished to see him, since his
appearance must indicate success or
failure. If it were failure the knowl-
edge would come none too quickly; If
success. in any degree. he contem-
plated instant flight, for he was
obsessed by the belief that then he
would somehow stand in imminent
peril.
He was pacing the long platform
when the afternoon train arrived, but
his bloodshot eyes searched the crowd
III vain IOT a SlBHI VI 1GnStd l I1cl-
bert's stalwart figure.
HE has just one more chance to
get back in time." he told himself.
IF he doesn't come tonight 1t means
l am safel"
His bloodless lips sucked in the
warm air. Safe! 1t was the first
time in months he had dared to tell
himself this; yet a moment later and
his fears were crowding back crush
ing him to earth. The general might
do much in the six hours that re-
NAMED to him.
He was back at his post when the
night train drew in, and his heart
gave a great leap in his breast as he
saw the general descend from the
platform of the sleeper and then turn
to assist Elizabeth. She was closely
Yelled. but one glance at the pair
sufficed
Langham passed down the long
platform. The Pickering gas jets that
burned at intervals under the wide
caves of the low station were lumin-
Gus suns, his brain whirled and his
step was unsteady. He passed out
into the night, and when the friendly
darkness had closed about him,
slipped a feverish palm across his
eyes and thanked God that his sea-
son of despair was at an end. He
had suffered and endured, but now
he was safe!
Before him the train, with its trail
ing echoes, had dwindled away into
he e,tIA Of he oh
Scarcely conscious of the direction he
was taking he walked down the track
toward the iron bridge 1t was as If
some miracle of healing had come to
him; his heavy step grew light, his
shaking hands became steady. his
brain clear; in those first moments of
security he was the ease-seeking,
pleasure-loving Marshall Langham of
seven months before.
AS he strobe forward he became
aware that someone was ahead of
him on the track, then presently at
the bridge a match was struck, and
his eyes, piercing the intervening
darkness, saw that man had paused
there to light pipe. He was quite
near the bridge himself when another
match fiared, and he was able to dis
tinguish the figure of this man who
was crouching back of one of the
iron Orders. A puff of wind extin-
guished the second match almost I'M
mediately, and after a moment or
two in which the lawyer continued To
advance, a third match was struck;
at the same instant the man must
have heard the sound of Langham's
approach, for as he brought the blaz-
ing match to the bowl of short
black pipe, he turned, standing erect.
and Langham caught sight of his
face. 1t was Joe Montgomery. An
other playful gust found Mr.. Mont
gomery's match and the two men
stood facing each other in the dark
ness.
Langham had been about to speak,
but the words died on his lips
wave of horror passed over him. He
had known not quite ten minutes of
security and now il was at an end;
his terror all revived; this hulking
brute who faced him there in the
darkness menaced his safety, a few
drinks might give him courage to go
to Moxlow or TO the general with his
confession. How was he to deal with
the situation?
There amt much Irish about mel"
said Montgomery. with casual oalh
There was a moment of silence. The
handy-man was searching his pockets
for a fresh match
"Why have you come back, Joe?"
asked Langham finally. when he
could command himself.
Montgomery started violently and
his pipe fell from his mouth.
"Is that you, Boss Langham?" he
faltered.
He stared about him seeking to
pierce the darkness, fearful that
Langham was not alone. that Gilmore
might be somewhere near.
Are you by yourself. boss he
asked and a tremor stole into his
hoarse throaty voice. He still car
ried the scars of that fearful beat
ing Gilmore had administered.
YES" said Langham. I'm alone"
81 didn't know but Andy Gilmore
might be with you. boss said Mont
gomery, clearing his throat.
mo, he's not here" replied Lang
ham quietly. Hes left town."
Yves, but he'll be comm back!"