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

Page 23 text:

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;

Page 22 text:

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.

Page 24 text:

but you’ll have to hurry for If Dad saw you he’d bo furious. I must prepare—so adieu.”' Again she was gone. The fellow picked up the newspaper that lay upon the stand and was soon intent upon reading. Como, your Majesty, dinner is served.” mirpicked Laura a few minutes later with a courtly bow The man looked up. his face deathly white. What is it?” cried the girl. Nothing, nothin .” The man struggled for composure. Folding the paper he hastily secreted It in his pocked, unnoticed by the girl, and then followed her from the room. Delighted, the man gazed at the tempting food. This looks good to me. little lady;” he said, too bad there is no one but you and cranky Dad to enjoy it.” No. not cranky, just queer. You see he means to i»e good, only when I was a little girl, about three, my brother Jack, he was sixteen, ran away. Dad has nevet been the same since. He never lets me go anywhere or have anyone hero—but then, a mere man could be interested in my troubles, so here’s for something more cheerful.” No no. go on. What about the brother; ever heard from him?” I don’t know much about it tor you see Dad doesn't speak of it often. Brother Jack was young and willful. His one ambition was to ree the world. Well, it was too much for him. One morning we woke up to find hint gone. Dad prays every night for his safe return but never a word from Jack.” “Have you ever thought of what he might be?” The man appeared more and more interested. Thought? Why. man. I’ve spent nights of agony thinking. Per- haps he is a criminal or a murderer, hut I'd rather have him dead than that.” The man turned around. “If he were that, a murderer, would your father forgive him? Say he had committed the crime under the Influence of liquor.” No—“no. go on. What about the brother; ever heard from him?” ”It would depend on the motive and his actions afterwards. If he acted like a man. we would forgive him too gladly: If not. It would be impossible to respect him. let alone forgive. Oh! hut 1 shudder to even think of it. The man arose very much excited, and coining toward the girl he grabbed her arm roughly. She shrank hack. Forgive me, ex- claimed the man when he saw how frightened she was. hut what would you call acting like a man?' . Why. Oh—why, pleaded the girl, do you ask these questions? Can it be that you know something of my brother? The man evaded the question and repeated his own inquiry. This time the girl was forced to answer. I should consider that he had acted like a man if ho had given himself up to proper authorities and confessed. Judges do show' pity in such cases and give the prisoners a chance to reform.” Just then the girl glanced from the window. Fly, man. fly for your life. she exclaimed, here comes Dad. Out the front way quick.” The fellow ran. hut when outside, stopped and peered around the house gazing intently at the man coming from the barn. Muttering something to himself he walked away, holding his head a trifle higher than when he first entered the yard. Soon he passed out of sight over the distant hills. Mr. Knight was a tall, dark man with black eyee which flashed very Indignantly at I-aura when he saw dinner was not ready. “No dinner.” he stormed, hurry along now, Ictura. I can’t wait all day. Your paper is In the other room, father. Read that while you are waiting.” said I aura calmly. Mr. Knight went Into the next room hut. soon returned empty handed. Scolding violently ho demanded where the paper was. Ho had not found it on the stand. I’m sorry, father, was all I aura said. Nevertheless she wondere 1 where the paper had gone to. The days and weeks flew by, each seeming more lonesome than the proceeding one to Laura. At length one evening, a messenger came from town bringing a very important letter. It was the first [.aura could ever remember seeing. It was addressed to her too. Very much excited, she tore the envelope open. Who could bo writing to her? Dear Laura. it began—