Hudson High School - True Blue Yearbook (Hudson, WI)

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condition ho refuses to comply with, For this reason. I consider my position a perfectly honorable one.” The girl paled, but quickly composing herself she said indifferently. “Oh yes. the condition. Father told me. I can assure you that you need never suppose for one minute that my father gives one thought to such a proposition. Do you imagine that he. even to raak'i his own future sure, would force me to marry a cowardly thief who resorts to such under handed methods? Oh no. (ieorge. you have another guess. How honorable is your position! she added sarcastically. Now listen, Madge.” he began conciliatingly, You know very well that that is not the way to look at the case at all. I have always told you I loved you and you would never listen to me. If you recollect. 1 told you at one time that you would he mine by fair means or foul. Now that you are cornered you fight like a veritable wild- cat before you will admit it. With that he took a step toword her Immediately her revolver was on a level with his eyes and her eyes flashed the danger signal which on other less personal occasions he had learned to respect. “Yes. she answered, I admit you told me that, but you have yet to prove the truth of the statement, you know. I gather from your weak arguing that you think I know nothing of my fathers affairs and that I believe everything you choose to tell me; I am my father's con- fidante and have no confidence whatever in anything you may say. Furthermore, I wish to remind you that I said I’d have revenge and in order to get it I have made myself well acquainted with your affairs. As for your love it is an unmentionable subject entirely. Keep your hands in front of you.” she warned. “We won’t parley over the matter any further. he said in a stiff tone of dismissal, wondering how much she know and how much was a, “bluff.” I have the plans, they are improved, and your father re- fuses to comply with the condition. Therefore he can do nothing about It. He turned away from her. • Wait. she ordered. I have pleaded and threatened before and you would not give then» up. Tonight you shall look at it from •» different angle. From knowledge which I obtained while playing de- tective. I have made out a list of the machines made with the aid of or suggested my father's plans; of profits obtained by the use of these; and of all papers Important or otherwise which pertain in any wav to the plans. She laid the list on a near-by ledge of rock and with- drawing n few steps from It. ordered him to read It. He. trembling, obeyed and while reading it. paled and grasped the ledge tightly. Composing himself, he answered proudly. “Well what of it? I do not see the point. ‘ Oh.” she said clearly and finally. Your actions show you to he nothing more than a low blackmailer and as such you shall be dealt with. And the point is that I will give you just two minutes to choose between returning every last article on that list, and eternity.” She suggestively took out her watch, but did not avert either gaze or gun fiom his suddenly enraged face. He cursed high and low, his face writhed in rage, his eyes glowed, and he looked as if about to spring upon her. hut she did not Minch. Ills fingers itched to grasp her throat, he would kill her with- out a pang if he could. He didn’t dare, however, for he knew that she meant every word. He had seen her shoot down better men than he, under different circumstances to Ik? sure, but the principle was the same. Should he surrender to a mere girl? Life was sweet and time wa; speeding. The struggle was short and hopeless. He became calm and waited. After the second minute she asked briefly. “Well? Life or death?” Not death,” he muttered sullenly after a pause and covered his face with his hands. She paused relieved. Soon she spoke briskly. “You will please hurry, she said, “and place all of the articles I have named on the ledge of rook at the far end of that passage. indicating the one through which she lmd entered. Mechanically and dully he obeyed but she knew that he was covertly watching for an unguardedness on her part and she redoubled her attention. When all was done she put a whistle to her lips and gave a sharp peculiar signal. “The police? he asked horrified. She laughed mockingly again. “A counterfeiter against a counterfeiter in police court? she countered. No, my agent will now remove tho articles from the ledge.

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REVENGE. Ooi-k«- Dunlap, a notorious counterfeiter long sought for by the governments of many nat'ons. started up suddenly, and instinctively drew his revolver as he looked around, but not a sound was heard to assure hint that he had not imagined it all. He v.as certain that ho had heard in the gloomy passage behind him a slight rustle as ol foliage moving when disturbed. That, of counre. was Impossible; never- theless. he took up his flash-light and. with that in one hand and bin re.olver in the other, began a systematic search of the place. He moved as stealthily as a mouse lost by his own noise he should diown out any other sound, lie looked the cave over, inch by Inch, peered into every crevice and down each passage of the whole compli- cated network which made up the cave, but to no avail. Could it be ros'.ible that he was becoming nervous through his increasing attempts to keep up appearances in the outside world by working his farm in the daytime and working here by night? He slept very little of iho time for the past two months, but it did not seem probable that he could imagine a sound so real as that which he had heard this time and which he had heard twice before the two proceeding nights. He'reviewed the circumstances of his obtaining this cave. He thought of the boy from whom he had 1 on mod of its whereabouts 1» and who had admitted that his father and mother, now dead, were the only on os who had known of the cave's existence, because it was almost inaccessible on account of the thick growth of vines and shrubbery at its small mouth. Since George Dunlap, who called himself Tymothv Sands for reasons of his own. had bought the farm and had paid him well for It. the lad thought it only right to let him in on the secret and then Sands could do as he liked with It. On the same afternoon that he told his story, the boy was hurt by a falling tree and died soon after. So the secret was known only to Sands. As he turned to his work he said ironically. At last, my pretty Nymph. 1 am where even you can never find me out; I defy your threat of vengeance now. He thought of the deep blue eyes first with tears on the long dark lashes and later with anger burning in their depths. Of course she naturally would think his action wrong but she didn't understand how necessary it was to his progress. Suddenly his reveries were Interrupted by a clear mocking laugh perhaps a dozen feet behind him. Instantly he sprang to his feet and Hands up.” came the quite command of a woman. It was too late for defense. He stared into those same blue eves in dazed silence and finally managed to utter the word Madge. es. 'Madge'.” she repeated. “You are surprised?” She asked coldly. Then she plunged straight to the object of her visit there. George Dunlap, niv father put his sole confidence in you and planned for your future as he would have planned for his own son. had he had one. He spent many weary years in perfecting the plans and drawings of the machine by which both you and he would surely have become rich, instead of you alone. After his death he planned th?.t you should have it all. Rut you. you low. sneaking, scoundrel.” she hissed. You could not honorably wait. You had to steal the draw- ings made by ano'her man and use them for your own.” and with eyes blazing and voce hard with contempt, she continued. “You did not even hesitate to bieak the frith and trust and heart of a poor old man who had spent the best pnt of his life in working Just for you. Don't. Madge, don't. he interrupted in a hollow voice. Then after a pause he spoke again with rising self confidence. How can you talk so when I have told you over and over that I have the plans and would gladly give them hack to your father on one condition and that

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In the dead alienee which followed he could neither hear nor see anything in the adjoining passage, although he felt that someone was there. Finally there was a soft rustle again and all was still. Madge backed quickly toward the low ledge which she had be- fore designated as the place to put his surrendered goods, and at the same time kept him covered. He motioned to her to stop. Madge. ' he said. I want to know two things and. since I admit that you have the best of me. I think it only fair that you answer me. First. How did you discover this cave; and second, how did you get in here?” Yes.” she replied. ”1 intended to tell you. in fact I wrote it down. You will find it when I am gone.” Quick as thought she turned and fled into the darkness. He tried to follow her but having dropped his tlashlight he could not find her. He went back to get it and found on his return the slip of paper which she had left on the ledge. It read: 1st. My father and the father of the boy who sold you the farm were brothers. Father told me of the cave. 2nd. As you face spot where this paper lies reach right hand ahead and touch wall. To close, push opposite side of ledge with left hand. Amazed and puzzled he complied with the directions. With but a slight touch. I he rock wall swung outward w’ith the slight familiar rustle. He climbed out through the aperture. It was densely overgrown with vines but could be easily penetrated. By the faintly breaking morning light be discovered this to be right above his own house on the hillside. No sound was at first distinguishable and no sign of disturbance could be seen. Could this be a horrible dream? But no, the distant hum of a powerlul nuto, the carrier away of his fondest hopes, proved its reality beyond a doubt. I might have known.” he murmured bitterly, “that I couldn’t match cleverness with her.” KVA KELLY ’16. THE PRODIGAL SON. “1 do wish someone ever came along these roads.” said Laura Knight plaintively. Here I am with this table halfway through the 21 door, and not another inch can I budge it. Time to get supper too. How Dad will rage!” Could 1 help you any.” drawled a man's voice. I«aura started, and upon turning perceived a man who had come quietly up the walk and had evidently heard her words. Oh d ,” Laura stammered, If it wouldn't be too much bother. You see I just must get this in.” The strange visitor lifted the table Into the room, then started towards the door, the girl watching him suspiciously all the time. Suddenly he turned, smiled cynically at the girl and said. Guess I'll rest a bit. I’m about done up. Walked a long way. Do you mind?” No, surely not, here’s a chair.” I aura endeavored to be court- eous although this was not the kind of a visitor she fancied. The man doffed his hat, and took the profTered chair. Pretty lonesome in these parts isn’t it?” he queried. Lonesome, I should think so. You’re the first person I’ve seen for six months. Sometimes I think I’ll die sure ’nuff.” Don't live here alone, surely? Almost.” returned Laura. It’s just F»ad and me; Dad’s rather queer; likes to be alone. Mother was different but—she ” the girlish voice quivered, she left us years ago.” The tnan w-as silent for a time and after some moments she tripped quietly from the room. The man looked after her. A brave girl and a mighty pretty one. he thought. The stranger was a man of perhaps thirty or more. Tall and angular with a slouching attitude. A slight breeze blew the gray hair from his temples. His eyes were dull and shifting and his face was fut rowed with llre3 caused r.o doubt by dissipation. His lips were lax. characteristic of a perron with a weak will. His hands twitched violently and from lime to time he walked nervously to the window and gazed down the road. Once he felt in his coat pocket and pulled out something bright and shiny. It was a revolver. He shook his head thoughtfully. No—no.” he murmered. it won’t do. and he put it back into hiding just as Ij»ura appeared in the doorway. “Could you give a fellow a bit to eat. Girl? I’m famished,” he coaxed. “Perhaps,” I.nura was slightly agitated. Yes. Mr. Man I will;