Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1910 — PAID IN FULL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PAID IN FULL

Novelized From Eugene Walter's Great Play

...By... JOHN W. HARDING

Copyright. 1908. by G. W. CHAPTER XXIV. «• jn JFR. BROOKS would like to see you, sir. I told him X▼ JL J ou were in, but he would not come up and asked me to let you know he was downstairs.” “Tell him It’s all right I’ll see him." "You mean that he's to come up?" “Yes, if he doesn’t mind.” The landlady went out, gathering from the visitor’s unusual request and her boarder's reply that there had been trouble between them. Jlmsy pushed away the book he had been reading and leaned back in his chair to await his former friend’s coming. Brooks shuffled rather than walked in. He did not offer to shake hands, but, with a subdued “Hello, Jlmsy," seated himself on the edge of the armchair that in former days he occupied as his own. Then he seemed to forget where he was, sank back, shrinking into his overcoat, and sat as though stupefied, twisting his hat in his hands slowly and mechanically. Smith was shocked at the change in his appearance. His face was white and thin, and the eyes, which were almost expressionless, were deep sunk in the sockets. There was stubble on his chin; his formerly neatly plastered hair was disheveled. “Boy, you’re HL” said Jlmsy with concern. “Let me get a bracer for you.”

He rose and produced a decanter of whisky, but bls visitor declined, this time with a wan flickering smile of appreciation. “No, thanks, Jimsy. I don’t feel like It just now. I’ve been drinking too much of the stuff, and I haven’t eaten ■lnce last night, I think.” “For heaven’s sake!” exclaimed Jlmsy.

Brooks would have restrained him, but he was out of the door and bounding downstairs three steps at a time. Brooks sank back into the chair and relapsed into his condition of hebetude. In a little while Smith returned, a plate heaped high with sandwiches in one hand and a bowl of hot bouillon in the other. Brooks refused the sandwiches, but he took the bowl, and, holding it in both hands—which trembled—sipped its grateful contents. “Jlmsy, you’re awfully good,” he sighed. "Oh, no—none of that,” protested Smith. “Tell me what brought you here. What can Ido for you?” "I don’t know why I came, after—after the way I acted last time. I” "Never mind that. Let’s forget about it” "No, I have no right here. Jlmsy, Pm done for.” “How done for?” "I am, and you’ll kick me out, as I deserve, when you know. Jlmsy, I’ve done It again. I’m a thief a second time, and again for a woman.” Smith looked grave, but he said nothing. “What! You don’t get up and kick me? Well, well! I suppose It’s just like you, but I rather hoped you would. You’re the only man who wouldn’t. But wait till you hear. I can tell It to you because you can’t help me. Nobody can. I’m beyond helping.” “Better try a sandwich first,” suggested Smith. “There’s no hurry.” "Thanks; I think I will. That beef tea did me good.” He ate three sandwiches ravenously, washing them down with water. "There Isn't a whole lot to relate,” he said. “You can fill In the details for yourself. I tried backing the ponies again; then I stole from the bank. There was an examination of the books at the bank four days ago. I didn’t turn up there that day, and I haven’t been there since; but, of course, the game Is up. I wandered about drinking to try to forget my troubles til! all tajy money was gone. Then I sobered up, and here I am. This time there’s one to save me. The bank couldn’t bp fixed, even If I had the funds to make my stealings good. They’d get me wherever I hid myself, that’s sure. They must be looking for me now. And, O God, I can’t face It!” Tears rained down his face—tears that he made no effort to hide or wipe away. “I knew I was going headlong down to hell—knew what I was doing—saw the certain punishment—yet couldn’t stop myself. And now I have reached the mouth of the pit” He shuddered and writhed in agony of torment turning his pitiful, streaming eyes upon Smith. "Oh, Jlmsy, if you would only kill me and end it all,” he moaned. "Oh, If I only bad the courage to kill myself!” Smith, greatly agitated, looked at the miserable man in perplexity. "I wish I could help you, Joe,” he Mid. "But thia time I don’t see how you can be helped.” "It isn’t possible. There’s nothing you could do. Fm done for. It’s my own fault" he sobbed. "I brought it all on myself. I have been weak—oh, weak—and a fool. And now It’s come to thia. No; nobody’s to blame but my-Mif-unteM it's Emma.”

He rose to go. “Shake hands with me, Jlmsy,” he begged. “It’s the band of a thief, a criminal’s hand, but you were glad to take it in friendship once, when it was honest, and It’s the last time I’ll ever ask you to do anything for me. You’ll never see me again." Smith grasped the hand held out to him, and his pressure was more eloquent of his feelings than mere words could have been. He could find no phroies adequate to express them, so remained silent, but he slipped into the wretched man’s pocket as Brooks passed out of the door a bundle of banknotes that he had taken without counting from a drawer. Snow had begun to fall. A high wind, blowing apparently from alj quarters, hardened the flakes and propelled them with stinging force into the faces of the people In the streets. Blocks had no umbrella, nor had he gloves, and the wind cut to the bone. Yet he paid scant heed to his discomfort and ambled away from Smith’s abode. He turned up his coat collar and pulled his hat over his eyes. More than once when he thought he was being followed he went sick with fear. Every minute he expected to feel a hand on his shoulder.

Why should he lack the pluck to kill oimself? A fugitive from justice, friendless and penniless, everything that was worth while In life gone forever, what had he to hope from living? The prison door from which he had shrunk with such dread before now was wide open to receive him, would receive him as Inevitably as day would follow the night. He remembered having read that a man shot through the brain never felt the messenger which snuffed out bls life. In the drawer oi his bureau was a loaded revolver that he had long kept there for self protection In case of need. A movement of his finger would end all. A feeling almost of relief came with this thought, and he quickened his steps. There was only one thing to fear now—that he would be caught before he could reach his room. As he trudged along he found himself at the corner of the street In which the Harrises lived. Emma! How different she had been from the other! She had not taken; she had given. Love had not been dependent upon the bringing of gifts; it had been lavished upon him. When he had been despondent she had comforted him; when things were going wrong she had encouraged him; when his head ached she had rested It on her bosom. And it had come to this—that he had lost her and, with her, all; that he was an outcast at her door.

An Insane desire to see her took possession of him. It grew, became overpowering, swept aside all the objections of reason. He was a dying man, and nothing was denied to the dying. He retraced his steps and rang the belt The door opened, and he ascended the well remembered stairs. Mrs. Harris’ flat was on the first landing. A maid who did not know him answered his ring. “Is Mrs. Brooks at home?" he asked. The girl shook her head. “Mrs. Brooks? No; no one of that name Ilves here. This Is Mrs. Harris’ apartments. Mrs. Harris and Miss Beth have gone out. Miss Emma is In.” Miss Emma! She had even discarded his name, then! The blow was hard. "I would like to see her.” "Your card, sir, please.” “Tell her Mr. Smith Is calling.” The name had flashed to him with the conviction that she would not receive him If he gave his own. _He followed on the heels of the maid. “You needn’t bother,” he said and brushed past her at the door of the parlor. Emma was arranging some ornaments on the mantelpiece. For a moment she did not recognize him. Then she recoiled, with a little cry, from the wild eyed, disheveled specter who, hat In hand, stood before her. "Yes, Emma, it’s me, or what Is left of me,” he said. “What brings you here? How did you get in?” she demanded, with frightened eyes. “Don’t be afraid. You have nothing to fear from me,” he assured her. “I’m going on a long journey—yes, a long, long journey, and I’ve come to say goodby. You’ll never see me again. I fchall be no more trouble to anybody.”

•There is no need to come here. * cannot receive you. You must go." “Emma, I know how bad I was to you, how”— "I cannot listen .to your excuses. It is useless to recall the past. Please go!” “I have no wish to recall it. I ask only your forgiveness—ask it as a dyIng man. You cannot refuse.” “You have been dead long years to me, and I have prayed God that I might never see you again. I paid you in full for my freedom. Why have you come to trouble me? Go. please, and leave me in peace.” “All right,” he said sorrowfully. “I will go. Goodby, Emma.” With bowed head he went toward the door, stopped and turned to her with outstretched arms, pleading in his eyes. “Emma, One kiss—my pardon and absolution before I die.” “No; oh, no!” She retreated, sht£ dertog( terrified. He followed desperate, resolved to take by force what she would not give, to feel once more In his arms the little form that once had nestled there fondly. She read his purpose and shrieked. Mrs. Harris, Beth and Captain Williams were just entering, and they rushed in with the maid. Brooks turned to escape as Emma, almost hysterical with horror and fear, uttered scream after scream. He ran right Into Williams, who recognized him at once aud dealt him a smashing blow that sent him to the floor. Then the captain grasped the half stunned man and, pulling him to his feet, held him while he Inquired what had happened. Emma, calmed by her mother and sister, tremblingly explained. Williams looked at his prisoner, undecided what to do. Brooks did not open his mouth. The captain walked him out on the landing and, threatening to kill him if he ever dared to molest Emma again, threw him down the stairs. (To be Continued-)

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Williams dealt him a smashing blow.