The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-10-07

1nsanity-horrid, sfbbering fuHacy--
had tracked him, sself-driven from the
companionship Of men. far out into
the Wilderness It had left the rail-
road track and the telegraph poles,
even as he had done. and followed him.
1t would always follow him. Oakley
realized it all at once. There was no
escape. No desolate region far from
the haunts Of men was secure from
this insidious, Unsuitable Nemesis. No
spot, crowded to the utmost by other
men, was inaccessible to this clammy
monster of the brain. Yet Oakley
shuddered at the thought Of separa-
ton from his End.
Picking up his revolver, he turned
to descend the butte.
There before him stood French, grin
ming amiably.
The revolver fell to the ground, fill
ing it's muzzle with dirt With wild
shrek Oakley dashed away. French
put out nimble foot and brought
him to the ground. where he lay.
stunned.
When Oakley regained consciousness
French was sitting nearby, cross
legged, masticating tobacco.
Oakley sat up, and the apparition
handed him piece Of the weed. Oak
ley took it and examined it carefully.
It appeared to be genuine. Then he
arose, and, walking up to the appaTt-
ton. felt cautiously about the head and
shoulders. The genuine feel was
here also.
Oakley looked for moment out
over the sand toward the railroad
track. shook his head doubtfully, and
sat down.
Lord, what a placed"
swell, what's the matter with It'll"
asked French.
Everything is so sort of confusing.
can't quite see clearly" replied Oak
ley.
French took from his pocket roll of
bills, and separating several from the
roll, handed them to Oakley. See any
better now?'' he Queried.
Oakley thumped them over doubt
fully. his mind still in haze. After
a pause he said slowly. Well, yes.
think the dawn is gradually illum-
mating my darkened vision. and yet
can't What is this money for7"
That's your pay for killing me, re-
sponded French gibly. land a recon-
pense for the anguish of mind which
t.z... t.a-, xy,@.,xe xrrtev, o,4-. cfSor.
ing your awful deed. You see, Oakley
old man, when you became SO ahgry at
me, back In our little home town, and
attempted toeput me where could no
longer arouse your indignation, you
failed utterly-didn't even touch mel
with your bullet When | fell. dazedI
by the bombardment. you evidently
thought was dead. Any way, you fed
Living, as did, bachelor on the out
er edge of town, no one heard the shot
and no one came to investigate.
happened to be out Of money"
Oakley interrupted: "As usual"
II saw chance for a scheme" con
tinued French My friend. the physi-
clan, came at the opportune time to
see me, and with his assistance as the
eertifer of my death passed from the
knowledge of men. was duly and
mournfully buried, and By unimagin-
able toll, together with the kindly aid
of my beneficiary, succeeded in realiz-
ing upon some fraterial insurance that
happened to be fully paid up"
Then you-you aren't dead?" said
Oakley weakly.
"No. but pretty near it. What with
following you through the infernalest
country that was ever left out doors
for the wolves to howl in, in order
to reimburse you for being the foun-
der of my success in life, or death,
as you might say, and also consider
ing the hard labor l endured tryin' to
establish my identity as dead man,
am about dead.
Oakley" he concluded YEARLY,
don't you ever try to accumulate
wealth by the life insurance plan. Saw
wood or tend sheep, but don't try to
get it by dyin' falsely"
Oakley passed his hand over his
forehead. When he drew it away 1t
was covered with cold sweat. and
thinking still of the apparition out on
the aot sand. he declared solemnly
that he never would.
After a few minutes of silence. he
said, holding out his hand awkward
ly, Il don't feel SO angry at you as
did, partly because I've had lesson
that amt down in the copy-books, and
partly because it is an unusual ex-
perience for man to have his victim
pay him for tryin' to kill him. Let's
shake"
Perfectly agreeable" said French
amicably.
ut was good thing for me. flnan-
cially. that you once took to muir
derin'. Let's go back to town and
spend some Of our money!