Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1914-04-30


through fire; I have been through wa
ter. The swirling of my own native
stream does not appall NE. I rather
welcome it; it is but another expert
ence"
But for money!" broke In Ransom
"You acknowledge it is for no other
purpose. Will it pay? I own that in
my eyes no amount of money could
pay man for so superhuman a risk
as this. Take few thousands from
mel had rather give them TO you
than see you leap into that water
opening beneath us like hungry
maw."
HaZen stood siJent, his eye glisten-
ing, his hand almost outstretched.
Harper thought he would yield; the
offer must have struck him as gen.
erOus and very tempting-a good ex-
cuse for a hot-headed man to with
draw from a very doubtful adventure.
But he did not know HaZen. This lat
ter advanced his hand and squeezed
Ransom's warmly, but his answer,
when he was ready to give one, con-
veyed no intention OF a change of
mind.
"Will your thousands amount to a
clean million?" he smiled "That
Is the amount, believe, hequeathed
by your wife to Mr.. Auch1ncloss. Moth
ing less will suffice. Yet thank you,
Ransom"
The latter bowed and fell a little
behind the oil RS. The struggle in
his mind had been severe; 1t was go.
we're yet: he did not know but that
1t was his duty to stop this Hazen
from his intended action by force.
Ee was not sure but that the onus or
this whole desperate undertaking
would fall upon his conscience if the
end was fatal. The horror Of this
self-probing was still upon him as he
followed Hazen's slight and virile fig
ure across the rocks, put it fed as he
felt the spray of the tossing waters
dash it's chilling reminder in his face.
The event was upon him and he
must add to his former actions that of
a complete and determined opposition
to the risk proposed or possibly for
felt his peace of mind forever. Quick
ening his pace, he reached Hazen and
the lawyer just as the men awaiting
them had advanced on their side. In
stantly he knew it was too late. There
was neither time nor opportunity for
any weak protests on his part now.
Older men pointed out to Hazen what
especial points of suction were to be
avoided, and showed him the chain
they had brought for his waist, and
how he was to pull upon it the very
instant he felt his senses of his
strength leaving him.
He answered as a courageous man
might; and making ready by taking
off his coat and shoes he gave himself
into their hands for the proper fast
ening on of the chain. Then, while
the murmur of expectation rose from
the crowd on the river bank, he STEP
ped back to Mr.. Ransom and whisper
ed hurriedly in his ear:
"YOu have a good heart, a better
heart than / ever g2ve you credit for.
Promise that, in case l never come out
of those waters alive, you will put no
obstacle in the way of Mr.. Auchincloss
inheriting his fortune in good time.
He's a man worthy of all the assist
ance which money can bring. You do
not need her wealth; Anitra-well she
will be cared for, but Auchincloss-
promise-brother."
Ransom half drew back in his
amazement Then started forward
again. This man whom he had al
ways distrusted, whom he had looked
upon as Georgian's possible enemy,
certainly his own, was looking into his
eyes with a gaze of trust, almost of
affection. The money was not for
himself: he showed it by the noble,
almost grand look with which he wait
ed for his answer; look that carried
conviction despite Ransom's prejudice
and great dislike.
you will give me that much addi-
tional nerve for the task lying before
me?" he added And Ransom could
only bow his head. The mans mas
terry was limitless; it had reached and
moved even him.
Another moment and a gasp went
up from fifty or more threats. Hazen
had taken the chain in his hand,
walked to the edge of the rock and
slipped into the quietest water he saw
there.
Strike left!" called out voice.
And he struck left. The eddy seized
him and they could see his head NOV
ing slowly about in the great circle
which gradually grew smaller and
smaller till he suddenly disappeared.
A groan muff1ed with horror went up
from the shore. But the man who
held the chain lifted up his hand, and
silence-more pregnant of anticipa-
ton than any Snnnd-held that WI lie