The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1917-09-21

from his couch TO
deliver the peremptory command to
his retainer. fell back exhausted.
With the silent tread OF
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 TIRE
mendous size for the delicate body
and legs. giving him the appearance
Of humpbacked man.
Henry. my boy" gasped Ls Croix.
taking a firm grip on the hunch-
backs hands. and looking him earn
estly In the eyes. have Just re-
ceived from your sister q note, which
is burning in yon fire. She 10 over in
town and wanted to come here. Years
ago-you remember-your sister left
us. 1t broke your mothers heart.
What 1t did to me matters not There
was man who took your sister from
us. He was bad man. Your sis.
ter had child by that bad man. Now.
Henri. should you ever meet him. Kill
him!"
Yes. father"
Within the hour that the postmap
had delivered the unforgiving ulti-
matum to the young woman petition
er servant handed her q card, stat.
ing that the caller waited In the hotel
parlor. As she entered Q man arose
and deferentially bowed. She flushed
slightly as she recognized Charles
Hasbrook. an old acquaintance of her
girlhood. man who had loved her.
and whom she had loved.
Your father 10 dying; you would
like to see him?"
Yes. sir. but he has absolutely de-
clined to receive me unless-unless-
Il KNOW" said Hasbrook. gently
But that doesn't matter. II you'll
get your wraps we'll drive out to the
plantation.
"But-but-Frankie-
"Prankie?"
Yes. my little SON."
The man started as IL 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 l insist she has Q right to
come in." said Hasbrook. sternly
Let us pass. and then II he wants to
order us out. we'll go, but were 60
Ing to see him first"
Father"
The young woman rushed to the I'm
valid and knelt at his bedside.
who calls me father?" demanded
the old man. harshly.
1T is I-your daughter Cecils-
can't you see me?"
Where's your husband?"
Here he is. Mr.. lie Croix." said
Hasbrook. calmly. My name 10
Charles Hasbrook. I married your
daughter when she left home some
years ago"
"The proof. sir-the proof! Why
didn't you let me know before?
There's some trickery here"
Il understood you objected to mo
on grounds affecting my honor" said
,Hasbrook, taking desperate chances.
and told Cecil never to mention my
name in letter she wrote you"
by CAD! That has the. right ring"
said the old man. I'D have done
Yhe same thing myself"
Y The invalid lasted until nearly
dawn. when Hasbrook having done all
ne could, walked down the graveled
oath. He was conscious that some
dark figure was fitting about the trees
ind bushes, going in the same direc-
ton. Supposing 1t 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 q whiflwind.
clutched him with 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 his breast and maintained his
grip Of steel till all was over.