The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-02-24

l s<=-=-zI Inc tdll, manu-.
some-featured old
IL EA gentleman who
~ had half arisen
from his couch to
deliver the peremptory command TO
his retainer, fell back exhausted.
With the silent tread of a
clean-limbed animal of the jungles, q
young man entered the bedroom and
approached the bedside of his father.
HIS head and shoulders were OF tre-
mendous size for the delicate body
and legs, giving him the appearance
Of humpbacked man
Henry. my boy" gasped lie Croix.
taking a firm grip on the hunch-
BACKS hands. and looking him earn
estly in the eyes. | have just re-
ceiyed from your sister note, which
Is burning in yon fire. She is over in
town and wanted to come here Years
ago-you remember--your sister left
US, 1t broke your mothers heart.
What it did TO me matters not. There
was a man who took your sister from
us. lie was a bad man. Your sis
ter had child by that bad man. Now.
Henri, should you ever meet him. kill
himl"
Yes, father"
Within the hour that the postman
had delivered the unforgiying ulti-
matum TO the young woman petition
er a servant handed her a card, stat
Ing that the caller waited in tho hotel
parlor. As she entered a man arose
and deferentially bowed She flushed
slightly as she recognized Charles
Hasbrook. an old acquaintance of her
girlhood a man who had loved her
and whom she had loved
Your father is dying; you would
like TO see him?"
Yes. sir. but no has absolutely de-
clined to receive me unless-unless-"
Il know" said Hasbrook. gently
"But that doesn't matter IL you'll
get your wraps well drive out to the
plantation
"But--bu -but--Frankie--'
"Frankieer H9f4 sNf
Yes, my little SON"
The man started as II struck but he
recovered himself
Bring him along he said.
At the mansion. Jean barred the
way
MY orders are strict" he said;
''she cannot enter"
but ! insist she has right to
come in" said Hasbrook, sternly.
Let US pass, and then IL he wants to
order us out, Wen go, but we're go
ing TO see him first
Father"
The young woman rushed to the in
valid and knelt at his bedside.
Who calls me father?" demanded
the old man, harshly.
1T is I--your aughter-Cecile-
can't you see me?'
Where's your husband?"
Here he is. Mr.. lie Croix." said
Hasbrook, calmly My name is
Charles Hasbrook. | married your
daughter when she left home some
years ago"
The proof, sir-the proof Why
uluu you ieJ me knOW DctOits
There's some trickery here"
Il understood you objected 10 me
on grounds affecting my honor" said
Hasbrook, taking desperate chances,
and | told Cecil never to mention my
name in letter she wrote you
BY gad' That has the right ring"
said the old man. I'D have done
the same thing myself"
The invalid lasted until nearly
dawn when Hasbrook having done all
he could. walked down the graveled
path. He was conscious that some
dark figure was fitting about the trees
and bushes, going in the same direc
ton. Supposing It was one of the
dogs. he paid but little attention till
the figure blocked his way at the gate.
Then he recognized the grotesquely
misshapen form OF man. who seemed
to be all head and arms Hasbrook
attempted to step to one side. but his
enemy leaped at him like whirlwind.
clutched him with a death grip about
the throat and bore him to the earth.
He couldn't cry out. and his arms
seemed paralyzed The hunchback
knelt on bis breast and maintained his
grip of steel till all was over.