davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

sank down. Then he gave a cry anu
put his hand to his left breast.
What's the matter?" cried Teyer.
sham.
Stronach painted; his breath came
and went in bursts.
It's my heart" he said. cts my
heart."
Your hearth"
Yes. 1t has been getting bad by
degrees for months. The specialists
tell me it has been brought about by
worry about my wife!"
Teversham started again. Ibid
Stronach know?" he wondered. He
had not long to wait to find out.
"Yes"-- Stronach's voice grew
fainter. "You-you really don't sup.
pose me to have been blind to her
liaison with yourself?"
But :"
It's not the slightest use denying
it, Teversham." Stronach seemed to
force his voice to become stronger.
Il know-beyond all doubt. l had
hoped that she would get over her
her liking for you: she is very young
and you are an exceedingly accom-
plished rogue. But have come to
see that have hoped vainly-and it
has made me very i'll. In fact, have
been assured that above ten thou.
sand feet-we are now nearly ten
thousand five hundred cannot live
half an hour,"
Teversham looked at Stronach in
horror. Well he might, for he could
see in the mans face and eyes and
hear in the mans voice likewise
every symptom of collapse Even as
he watched, Stronach grew more and
more faint And. from thinking OF
Stronach. he began to think of him.
self.
But can't get you up or down."
he cried. You've deliberately CON-
mitted suicide. You've chosen to
come up here-and you'll die"
Stronach gave a sickly sort OF
smile.
II suppose SHALL" he painted. az
suppose l SHALT"
"And''--- Tcvershams voice wont
high in tcrror-"damn you-Pm fixed
here, too can't get past that cursed
Triangle place. God, man. shall die
as WE'LL"
Stronach nodded. He was sinking
very fast. He fought for breath as
a landed fish fights. But he managed
TO speak once again.
"Of course. you'll die here!" he
said. zoe course, you will. That's
WHY brought-you--up!"
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

the palaces Of Oriental kings [
could not determine the exact dimcn.
sions OF the room, rs the end
iartliest from me was shroudcd in
darkness, while the end nearest the
door was Illuminated by a gcm OF
vast size, which glowed with some
mysterious light. hanging against
the wall. Exactly opposite this gem
stood threatening figure Clad in
full armor with drawn bow and
arrow. The shaft was pointed di-
rectly at the gem on the opposite
wall, and below was the Inscription
Il never miss my aim"
But the most astonishing thing in
the room was a huge table in its
centre, spread with royal feast,
and around it sat twelve full ar.
mored knights. all carved In stone.
The youth, still unconscious OF nv
presence, slowly advanced into tho
room, looking about him In sur
prised and astonished manner. He
stopped in front of the threatening
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

ground. disclosing an opening about
three feet square. Into this, 10 my
amazement, he disappeared.
Remembering that was 4 soldier
and should know no fear, stepped
boldly forth and s,alked over To the
opening. All that could perceive
rs peercd into the hole was long
fight of stone steps, which seemed
TO lead into the very bowels OF the
earth. AS looked n faint light ap-
peared at the lower end of the
light of steps. giving the whole
scene a CHASTITY appearance.
Clutching my Pilgrims cloak about
me and easing my knife in my Cir
die, began to descend. AS ar
rived at the bottom of the steps
found narrow doorway, in which
the youth stood. his back turned
toward me. Without making a sound
] looked over his shoulders and into
the room.
1t was veritable treasure room
such as one would expect to find in
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

OF the hotel. Teversham's contempt
grew greater, and devil Of mockery
entered into his heart.
Your wife is down there, Stro.
nach!" he said gayly. II wonder II
she is thinking of you now!"
II wonder, too!" said Stronach
quietly. And. looking down into the
valley. he pulled hugely at his pipe.
Suddenly he shiyered and turned.
1T strikes cold." he said. Let
Us go in"
Teversham followed him into the
hut. Stronach said something to the
patron and led the way into an inner
room. Against side walls, few
inches from the floor, lay canvas pal
lets, roughly stuffed
You turn in here, Tevereham."
said Stronach- See those clogs at
the end of the bed? Stick 'em on;
they'll keep your feet warmth call
You about a. NJ. Goodnight. Ill
put out the lamp."
Teversham lay down. Stronach
seemed to fall asleep easily; for he
neither spoke nor moved, but Tevef-
sham lay awake for long while.
He consoled himself at intervals by
sneering inwardly at Stronach, by
thinking what dog he himself was.
and what a blind fool a husband
could be. About o'clock he dropped
eff into sleep.
He slept heavily. Stronach aroused
him. and they set out on the last
stage. The patron, talking to Stro.
mach, came to aid them to rope up.
They struck across the glacier,
which shone silver in the moonlight;
they crossed it. made q detour to
bridge crevasse beyond it. going
along another plateau for the matter
of an hour. Then they began to
climb III earnest. To Teversham.
slim and in good condition, the noun.
tain did not seem hard.
Presently, when dawn had invaded
the stars and the sun came up, cloud
clustered ,Stronach came to a stop.
He seemed quite tired. Teversham's
sense of superiority increased
II say. don't think much OF the
Breitschund SO far." he laughed.
Its as easy as going upstairs!"
Stronach nodded. His voice was
hreathless as he replied:
Yes. you're right" he said. "le
the right way is .followed-yes. But
if you don't know it-and get off the
track a little--as told you. you
might as we'll be on the worst part OF
tn. Matterhorn Itself"
They climbed on again in silence;
going steadily up and up. Tever-
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

mails sides. The chestnut threw his
head high, blowing out n great cloud
OF steam and nearly unseating Jim.
my. Then he started pace which
brought cries Of alarm from grooms.
My. but he was farther from the
ground than on his shetland. And
the world was whirlng by. He tried
10 LOOK behind to see if he was dis
tancing the grooms. but could not.
a great automobile dashed almost
upon them from a side road and tho
charger put more energy into his gait
than ever. Jimmy knew he was near
to pitching to the hard, frozen soil
now, but he did nothing to check
his horses career. His only thought
was to distance his pursuers. Cries
of fright came from the men and
women riders he passed. Several OF
the men spurred after him. THE
boy'li be Killed." he heard one yell;
and several cried. The horse is run
ming away"
AS in a dream he saw a big man
on black horse tear at him from a
side path. It flashed over his mind
that this WAS the man who had can
tered from the house with his mother
way back in the dimly remem bered
days when she was always laughing
and happy. But the thought was
only flash
lie could now see the Park gate.
II he could only reach Fifth avenue.
he thought. he might lose his pur-
suers In the side streets. The only
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

sentinel and carefully read the In
scription. Then he turned his head
and looked at the huge illuminated
gem. | stepped back into the shadow
OF the doorway.
Cautiously looking about, as if to
satisfy himself that no one was
watching him, he walked quickly 10
the table and began gathering the
golden and jeweled goblets and otner
things OF value.
Scarcely had his hand touched the
hrst cup when tho stone knights at
the table rose suddenly, as with one
impulse, and each pointed finger
at the heart of the youth.
Transfixed with horror he looked
at each face in the group and then
moved around the table until he
stood directly in front OF the level.
which now seemed to blaze with an
added .brillanoe.
Quick as n fash the arrow sped
from the bowman's shaft straight
through tho heart OF tho youth and
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

at least three thousand feet lower
than the rest!"
Stronach answered him in his
grave and quiet voice.
The Breitschund presents no Diff
ficulties to the expert; it is a very
simple climb. But, OF course-as OH
all these mountains-th there are diff
cult places to be found If you were
to lose your way. for example. you
would find it quite as awkward as
the Matterhorn itself"
Teversham nodded, greatly reas-
sured; he knew that he was in no
danger; he knew, too, that Stronach
knew every inch Of the range. They
strobe on; they reached presently
the hut on the plateau where they
were to stop the night. Beyond it
lay the great glacier: then the noun
tain. bare and rugged, where the gla-
cier ceased.
The patron came out to greet
them; his face expanded into a
smile: he had long known Stronach
as a customer aud friend. The two
men followed him into the hut
Put down your axe in that cor
ner!" said Stronach. Then come
and have a snack"
Teversham obeyed He set his
ice-axe in a corner OF the small
square, wooden room. Then he sat
down at the table and began to eat
food which Stronach had taken from
his ruck-sack and set out. The pa
iron opened a cupboard, displaying
a hotch-potch OF food and utensils
and tins. The patron asked ques-
ton In a patois, which Teversham
could not understand. Stronach an.
swered and the man brought coffee.
which tasted very good.
They sat there eating. 1t was
strangely silent meal. Once or twice
Teversham put questions which Stro-
mach answered in minimum OF
words. Teversham regarded him
keenly; the man looked old and wor.
ried; he had certainly aged very
greatly in the last year. Teversham
felt certain superiority and defin:
tie appreciation of himself He was
thief-and he was proud Of it--and
for his victim he had supreme con.
tempt. "One takes ones good where
one finds it," he told himself And.
my friend, | have taken yours!"
When they had finished eating
Stronach pulled out pipe and pouch.
Let us go out for a ittlc." he
said. in ten minutes we must turn
in
They went out accordingly. Dusk
had fallen; they could see the lights
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

which he hoped that neither Of them
would see through.
Yes. I'm ready" he said. How
soon do you propose to start?"
In twenty minutes"
Il haven't got an ice-axe!"
THE hall porter has some," an.
swered Stronach. Come along, you'll
have to get sweater. My ruck.sack
will be enough for us BOTH"
There was pause. Stronach took
his wife's hand. He kissed it. Good.
by" he said "Good-by!"
That's a polite attention from a
husband" laughed Teversham. MAY
an old friend do the same?"
He, too. took Mrs. Stronach's hand
and kissed it. "Au revoir!" he said,
with gallant smile.
Stronach led the way into the hall.
An ice-axe was borrowed; a porter
fetched the sweater; the two men
left the hotel. Mrs. Stronach went
with them little way, but she was
not dressed for walking; she was no,
n woman who took exercise, and she
vas wearing high-heeled shoes.
We'll. must get back to my en-.
null" she said with sudden petulance.
John, I'm very angry with you for
taking Frank away. shall be bored
to tears In that horrible hotel. I
shall borrow the managers telescope
and get up early and watch you when
You leave the hut,''
Stronach started. His voice had
a curious timbre.
NO, don't do that, Iris." he said.
Il shall do what | choose" said
Mrs. Stronach. why. shouldn't
watch you If want to? Au revoir!"
"Good-by," said Stronach gravely.
Teversham waved his hand to her,
calling "Au revoir!"
Mrs. Stronach-Teversham turned
several times to look at her
stumbled back, none too elegantly, in
her high-heeled shoes to the hotel.
otfoh@cH leu the way across the
grasslands to the pine forests and
through them toward the outworks
OF their objective-the SCARED and
rugged crags of purple brown. Above
them lowered the three great noun.
tains; to the right Of them q lesser
one-which they were to ascend.
Teversham looked at it and shud-
dered inwardly; the whole range
showed bleak and bare and forbid
ding. now that twilight deepened and
the sun lay hidden behind their
crests.
do you count the Breitschund as
a very difficult mountain" he asked
suddenly. ut ought not to be. 1t is
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

sham felt no fatigue; but Stronach
painted. and his tiredness seemed to
have increased. Teversham's con.
tempt was unbounded II this was
crack mountalneer he didn't think
much of him: he was certainly an
oyer-rated man.
They came presently to a long
slope which led them to the foot OF
pinnacle which stood up sheer and
stark. Stronach came to a stop.
That's pretty nasty obstacle.'
he painted.
Yes" Teversham nodded. 81 don't
see any way up"
There isn't" said Stronach. "Do
you know what the thing is called?"
NO"
1T Is called a gendarme. But it
has-this one--a special name. 1t is
called The Triangle!"
Teversham started He saw the
implication; he wondered il 1t we're
his guilty conscience; he shot
glance at Stronach, who seemed too
occupied in getting his breath to be
capable Of meaning any hidden thing
Teversham carried it off with a Jest.
$50 they call it a Triangle do
tEey?" he said, laughing. They call
all sorts OF things that. But calling
i. anything won't help us to get to
the top"
We aren't going to get to the top"
said Stronach
"What?"
No; we are going round This is
not the usual way; indeed. we are off
the track. But have explored the
whole mountain. will show you how
l. can be done. But without my help
you would never find the way back!"
He led on. going slowly but quite
surely round an apparently impassa.
BILE place. Teversham followed. His
heart was in his mouth. At one spot
there was sheer drop Of three thou
sand feet. Six thousand feet below
Tilmatt was visible. Teversham
thought OF Mrs Stronach with her
telescope in the garden Of the hotel.
They won round; Teversham roped
TO Stronach. feeling that each mo-
ment was his last. Then they trav.
elled more easily. Stronach cutting
steps in an ice slope which they had
to cross. Teversham noticed that the
steps we're less and less we'll cut.
AT last they reached little pla-
teau place, just wide enough for them
both. 1t was Invisible from the val.
ley, and out of sight of the hotel.
With gasp of thankfulness-as il
he had reached his Mecca-Stronach
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

arrived. Dinner time, jimmy" she
said cheerily. Herbert Van Alstyne
bancroft had TO eat with governess.
reflected Jimmy. Only another in
stance OF his own mothers supreme
goodness. OF course, Jane was along.
but she scarcely ever took part in
the gay dialogue between mother and
son.
This meal time Jimmy was
strangely silent and thoughtful.
What's the matter. jimmy" asked
his mother several times. Back in
his own dressing room undressing
for bed after dinner his pre-occupa-
tion continued. even communicating
itself to his mother and Jane, as the
sadness OF children will. Brace up,
Jimmy; don't you feel the Christmas
spirit in the air?" Mrs. Twombly
finally cried.
Mother" said Jimmy slowly and
with great solemnity, 81 want you to
tell me what YOU would rather have
for Christmas than anything else in
the world"
The earnestness OF Jimmy took
her by surprise She hesitated in
thought minute. unable to make
light reply. and then said:
The thing / want most OF any
thing in the world you couldn't give
me. Jimmy"
Her voice broke, there seemed TO
be an impeachment in her throat. the
tears came, and She almost fled from
the room.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

Gracious, child, no; they cost two
or three hundred dollars at least.
Besides, you're too small to ride in
the Park yet"
Jimmy didn't respect James intel
ligence enough to bother explaining
that he didn't want the mount for
himself. Besides. he needed time to
hours, thinking. and thinking, and
when he fell asleep his dreams were
filled with horses and grooms, and
fine riders, and visions of his hand
some mother dashing along the Park
bride path with the gay throng OF
men and women. her laugh ringing
out the gayest OF them all.
The next afternoon Jimmy stole
out Of the house at the first oppor.
tunity. Mrs. Twombly didn't like
him to walk far alone, but this was
an emergency. AS he reached Fifth
avenue he met Herbert Van Alstyne
bancroft. Going up to Herbert Van
Alstyne, he seized that dollhouse
plant by the upper arm, put his nose
within three inches of the bancroft
one and said ficrcely:
III you ever mention anything I'll
take you over on Second avenue and
sell you 10 Black Hander."
At which blood-curdling threat
Herbert ran home weeping.
Jimmy had never heard that the
end iustifies the means. But he was
about to apply this useful and COM
forting doctrine. Reaching point
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

near the southern end OF the Park
where several long lines of saddied
horses were hitched. he looked them
over with the eye OF fancier. This
one was not big enough for. his
mother. this one didn't go we'll with
her complexion. this one was trife
spiritlesS. He decided on tall
horse, OF deep chestnut hue paving
the ground restlessly near the end
OF the line and farthest away from
the group Of grooms and stable boys.
Stealthily he undid the hitch-rope.
He saspcd tho stump Of Il riding
crop which he had picked up in his
left hand, seized the reins In his
right and by a mighty effort climbed
into the saddle.
He had thought it would be easy
10 canter away from the lazy looking
group OF grooms apparently absorbed
in an argument But the moment his
horse moved out of line the incident
group broke. Every man headed for
the horses on the dead run. MS
Jackson's Monarch of Hell he's
ridin!" shouted one. Another cried:
Stop, boy, or you'll be killed and
Jackson'll kill mel"
Jimmy had turned his steed to the
north and started an easy canter.
But, seeing dozen grooms mounting
in pursuit, he shock his reins and.
leaning over, shouted In his horses
ear. He tried to ply his stump OF
crop and, Disguised at its impotence,
dug the splintered end into the ami.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21
THE TRIANGLE----By Austin Phillips


Stronach turned to Teversham and
spoke. Her eyes were wicked-and
she laughed.
1T is poor old John, when you
come to think OF it," she said. do
you think he's got any idea?"
About us7"
"Yes."
GOOD Lord. no. Teversham
shook his head emphatically. "He
wouldn't leave US together If he had.
He isn't the complacent sort."
I'm not 80 sure Mrs. Stro.
mach wrinkled her pretty forehead. "I
sometimes think ;"
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. It's only conscience,
suppose. He is too stupid, of
course
They were silent for a minute.
Then Mrs. Stronach looked at Tever.
sham's legs.
Why you've got on puttees." she
said sharply. You're not going with
john"
Yes. am"
Up that silly old mountain? /
won't have you do IT,"
But promised
What does that matter. You can
always back out Of a promise II you
want"
But I've changed" insisted TIE.
versham.
You can change back again. tell
you :"
Mrs. Stronach stopped. Stronach
stood before them. He was big.
hne-fgured man OF about five-and.
forty, with clean-shaven face,
hooked nose, and a kind and senti.
tive mouth. His hair was gray: and
the pupils of his eyes were distended
and had curious outer rim. He
smiled at his wife gravely but affec-
tionately; he turned to the man
at her side.
well, Teversham, you're ready?"
he asked.
Teversham hesitated; he glanced
at Mrs. Stronach, who smiled mali
ciously, but said no word. He glanced
at Stronach, who. as it seemed to
him, had spoken in family con-
temptuous tone. And he realized
that though he did not want to go he
was in the position OF nut between
crackers, of which Mrs. Stronach was
one. and her husband the other, side.
He felt that if be did go she would
be angry. and that If he stayed with
her she would despise him; he was
not coward enough to refuse and not
quite brave enough to do as he chose
and stay behind. He got up with
mixture OF reluctance and alacrity
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

A MONG those who were with
~ our beloved King Richard
4 n when he was shipwrccked off
The Italian coast while returning
from the Crusades in the Holy Land
was !. the Knight of I.oring.
Fearing re would be recognized
and captured ii we travelled In a
body. Richard ordered us to disband
and individually make our ways to
our homes as best we might.
Taking leave of our dear monarch,
whom we had come to love as
companion on the battlefields OF tho
Orient. we each started out alone
Downing pilgrims garb for great
er safety, resolved TO make my way
back to England on foot. determin.
ing also to spend some time In
ancient Rome. the seat of our
church.
1t was at noon that 1 arrived,
weak, weary and footsore, ON the out
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

Jimmy looked after her in sur.
prise. 1t must be something terribly
expensive she wanted - probably
costing far more than his S0.25 What
could it be? Herbert Van Alstyne
bancroft was going TO give his
mother lace shawl Mrs. Twombly
never seemed to care for clothes,
although she always looked like
radiant queen to Jimmy. His brain
worked feverishly. He forgot to
scold Jane for presuming to unlace
his shoes. He summoned logic to
his aid. When had his mother
seemed happiest? In the dim re-
cesses OF memory he saw her mount
Ing big horse and going riding with
Il man much taller and hand
somcr than Herbert Van Al
styne Dancroft's pa Then she
had been supremacy happy. 1t
was long, long time ago. He had
asked Jane once ii this man had been
his father and she had answered him
SO GROSSLY that he had decided fur
Their inquiry was not worth while.
1t must be the big horse his mother
wanted. Yes, that was 1t. She never
rode now. She had taught him how
to ride his little Shetland that Sum.
mer. Why had he been so stupid as
not to think Of that before!
But horse was dreadfully ex.
pensive.
Gould YOU buy good saddle horse
for nine Gcllars?" suddenly asked
Jimmy
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21

rider within dangerous distance was
the big man on the black horse-he
could tell by the shouts. Even two
mounted policemen were far behind.
lie had picked good horse, he ex.
ulted. He yelled. GO it, Monarch OF
He'll" and viciously knitted his horse
with the broken crop. They cleared
the Park gate like thunderbolt and
struck the smooth, slippery asphalt
at speed sure to be disastrous.
Over went the horse. Jimmy had
vision Of diving from great height
into an ocean OF stone There was
an instant of great pain; he had
iieeting idea that the big man han
dismounted from the black horse and
was picking him up, and then no
more.
When Jimmy awoke, his head
swathed in bandages, he knew it was
Christmas morning, for the bottom
OF his bed was piled high with splen.
did presents. But Jimmy gave them
only glance. He looked into hia
mothers eyes and was vaguely sur
prised to see the big man who had
ridden the black horse sitting with
her beside his bed Then he recol
lccted the tall horse he had failed to
bring home to her.
I can't give you what you want
most OF anything in the world,
mother" whispered Jimmy
Yes, YOU can, Jimmy" she re.
piled. You have"