Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-12-30

His guide went fast. with shur-
fling, loose jointed glide that kept him
on the verge of run.
Half block farther on the negro
scurried up the steps of a brown stone
mansion and. assuring himself that
Johnson was still at his heels, opened
the door and entered.
The hall light was dimly burning.
and Johnson caught an impression Of
sumptuous furniture.
The negro never tarried. but mount
ed to the second floor, traversed cor
ridOr to the door of rear room, paus-
ed until Johnson had caught up with
him, then knocked and threw the door
wide open.
The room was a-shimmer with light.
If Johnson's eyes were dazzled by
the sudden brilliancy. his brain was
no less confused by what he saw. The
most prominent feature of the cham
Der was a large. white bed, and on
this there lay one of the strangest fig
ures he had ever looked upon, not even
excepting that of the dwarf who had
led him there.
II.
knOtted about by red silk handker-
chief. and drift of white beard.
The rest of the face showed brown,
like leather, and was set with pair
of piercing blue eyes.
Come here, where 1 can look at
you,' said the man on the bed. Then:
well, you're Johnson, all right And
l bid him farewell at Pawaianne.
Willie, your father would "a been
here if he was livin'," the old man
continued. There are debts that no
man forgets. I've come for to seek
you on his account. I've got here none
| too SOON
I'm sorry you're sick" said Johnson
| Your father died when you was lit
| tle," the patriarch went on; "other-
wise you'd know all about me- Pm
Robert III. King. and king I've been.
too, these fifty years. But, oh. they're
an ungrateful lot! They're an un-
grateful lot!
Il ruled 'em fair, and l ruled 'em
square. | lost my right hand. though.
when your father went. He'd "a put
down this revolution. Do you hear?
They started revolutionv'
Johnson said that he heard.
There's a Malay out there named
Possa Sing. He's at the head of this
here revolution. He started it because
l wouldn't let him have my gal. But
L had other plans. l was thinkin of
Red Bill JohnsOn-a full measure of a
man he was-and how he used to boast
about that little boy of his'n back in
| New York
ut was the last thing that he said
when l bid him farewell at Pawalanne
BE father to little Willie And
by Christopher, III do it yet. in spite
of that black Malay Possa Sing.
HE got too strong for me-Tm not
the man l used to be-but he amt toe
strong for Red Bill Johnson's boy.
found your address in a New York di
rectOry. l got one from Batavia and
$40 in gold it cost ne too. And | rent,
ed this house for to die in.
Il could trust the agents for that, but
for the rest | couldn't trust them.
had to see you. I've piled up pearls
and power for you, Willie. And that
amt all" He paused
"Nmnie," he painted hoarsely.
Johnson turned and half rose impul
sively from his chair. The door haC
opened. Standing there graceful. slim
shrinking, was the girl of the unspoker
message.
Did my father call?' she asked
sweetly, with a lisping accent.
blame me for refusing to give her to q
Malay?
Half breed, but I've raised her like
a white mans gal. Them peopIe'd die
for her. l crowned her queen before
we left That'll settle Possa Sing. He
was crazy for her, more than the rest
but him that gets her gets all. An6
she's white mans gal" The old mar
paused When he spoke again his
great whisper was strangely smaller.
$50 l brought her with me- he said
for Red Bill Johnson's boy. There's
a schooner at Macassar. Sail SOU by
west for Pantar strait
Those We're the last words that Rob
ert King, or King Robert, ever spoke.
When Johnson emerged sufficiently
out OF his confusion to focus his eye:
on the patriarch he noticed that tn
latter was staring strangely in the di
rection of the door,
Involuntarily Johnson wheeled am
saw standing there a dark youth
whose face was stamped with an ex
preston Of fierce and joyful ecstasy.
The girl had also turned and ther
> sprang to her lips a sob that was trans
formed into a name. 1t was "Poss
Singv'
u In his extremity Johnson turned t
q the girl.
"What did he mean?' he whispered.
81 am to be your BRIDE" she faltel
ed. He made me promise. l starte
to see Won this ayenine-to ask YOU nc