DEADMAN'S HOOK.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11461, 20 December 1902, Page 3

DEADMAN'S HOOK.

♦ II ... . ■ ■. Bt Elliot WiLxra. Ridgedale had been thinking about it for a long time. At first he had cast the gruesome notion from him in disgust, but it had made ite impress upon some active atom of his brain, and daily strengthened with the ever-growing sense of some dreadful culmination to the awful worry which hung over him. Now the thought had mastered 'him, and he was siding with it and trying to gloss its horror with the aid of -reason: "Why isn't it the beet thing, after all?" he meditated, ''best for me and every one. It is only a question of time, the doctors say. Nobody knows it yet except tlie specialists, and myself. Every day brings it nearer l —soon I shall have to give up and. linger along weakly to the end, an expense and burden. Now, while I am yet strong, I can arrange to drop out, with things in good shape and Ada and the children provided for; it might happen to any one. It's your duty, man," ha thought roughly; "if you do not take this matter into your own hands, you will I die regretting it with your last breath." , His mouth set and his brow contracted as he walked into his office. "My clients won't miss me much," he mused, rather bitterly. "A small practice, just a living— a lot of books—what a farce it is! Why didn't I take up medicine as I thought of doing? If I had, this thing would have been discovered long ago." A rush of utter hopelessness swept ihim. "It's, the only way—the only sensible w.ay," lie groaned; "it must be done. I'll make a clean job of it and work it carefully." That afternoon Garter Bidgedal© took out a goodly accident insurance poKey in addition to what he already carried. "It's robbery, I suppose, but they can afford to lose it better than I can afford ' to let my wife and children suffer," he ruminated. "I carry no life insurance. Always have meant to, but never got to it —400 late now. Well, that's a start—now plan your course and never waver. Don't think, keep right on. Other men have done it—don't weaken. It's the only ■way." He steeled thimself as he walked home. "So this is the way criminals must feel when they axe plotting murder and robbery!" He shuddered. "It's curious how a man can subjugate his Teal nature in a case of necessity like this. I feel a hard strength of purpose growing in me, now I have made up my mind. Who wbuld ever think that I would go out of eight, smiling and cheating? I will not stay about the house. That may unman, me. To-night I will make my arrangements. Thursday will be a good day to carry them out." « "You look tired and pale, dear," said Ada Bidgedale at the tea table. "Don't you feel well?" "Oh! business worries me," answered her husband. 'I get crazy to be outdoors at this season. I believe I will Ufce a day osd go troutiag. I can take

t-h* afternoon train Wednesday and g; wn *° the Gorge —it's only stven lnile? I'li put up at Budd's little tavern, am fi»h Thursday. There are two good brook: there." "I wish you would, Carter. It wil do you worlds of good, -, cried Ada, joyous ly- "You'll stick to that old ofiice "unti you ax© a perfect wreck. Why don't yoi go onoe a week right through the season 111 get out all your things to-night, one ■ pack your bag. Of conrse you must go!' "Take us some time, papa*,"' lisped litth Mamie. 'We'll all go off together anc have a nice picnic." Ridgedale smiled andly and nodded. A dreadful emotion possessed him. "Mj Uod!" he thought. "I cannot leave them": _ I cannot do this thing I' , "You must!" sHeuced hie will. "You have decided. Think of what will happen if you do not!" "I don't know where my appetite has gone; it's poor anyway," observed the man, mastering himself. "I'm going to take a long walk, Ada.. PJeaee don't sit up for me. It was lat* when he at last sought his bed—the tramp along the couutrv roads had cooled and settled his brain to* a etern •ense of tfce eours « that must be taken, and ins -plan had been carefuUv mapped °i- v Hw easil - v " lhe "> ut « to ' his final action had traced itself in bis mind. Surely the finger of Pate was guiding him now, and it inuet be right. And, strange to say, he slept soundly. He passed Tuesday as in a dream, medianwally arranging littla matters with I studied carelessness, to indicate that he surety intended to return to them later. He chatted and joked with his friends and told thorn of his proposed trip. "I'll send \-ou some trout, old man," he promised Doctor Yt Jllev "What do you say to a day over in Black River next month?" Yes, the Doctor would go if he could get away, and drove off happy in the thought. Wednesday he was like a boy in his pre* / parations, laughing and whistling, joking and bragging of the fish he should catch. "I'm a little crazy, I believe," he mused. "Else I couldn't keep this up. Well, it's the way. No one will possibly suspect." He did not dare to stop playing his part for a moment. When he kissed Ada and the children good-bye, he was careful to do it hurriedly. "I might make a mistake here," he said to himself. "I'm -just going fishing, that's all, that's all," he kept repeating. ' On the train he talked pleasantly with strangers, who eyed him with favour and wished they could have an outing and be as happy. "Why, it's Mr Ridgedale," bawled Hercules Budd. from the piazza of his small hostelry. "Seems like old times to see you! Come to try the trouts, eh? Wai, tliere's lots of 'em waitin' fer ye! Step right in! "Mari.' here's Mr Ridgedale, come down to go fishin'!" Mrs Budd greeted Carter with affection. "How be ye? How's ver folks?" she asked. "Ain't ye a bit pale? City air, I guess. Have ham an , eggs fer supper an' some of my creamed pertater ye allus used to be howlin , fer?" Ridgedale laughed and shook her fat hand. "You know what I want, Mother Budd, don't you? Yes—we are all well. Have some fat on the ham. My I It's good to be here again!" For a moment he had forgotten his errand. Now a sinking reaction seized him. 1 Alas! how many happy days he 'had passed among these wild hills, to come back a night tired and hungry to the eavoury country fare and the sweet, restful evenings. To-morrow he must start out as in the old bright mornings, and he should not come back. The sun would set, the birds would! cease their twittering, and his two good old friends would eit on the vine-clad porch, waiting. But he would not be coming down' the mountain road, whistling and yodling. A vision of a dangling form and a head bobbing gruesomely in the swift current, as the stream pushed and played about it, rose before hie eye*, and toe sound of falling water was in his ears. Yet, that waa tbe way poor Pete Geer had looked when ihey found him years ago in that fatal pool where be hod slipped and caught his foot in the* hook, and tbe falls had sung and purred bis requiem, even as they would be singing over another pitiful figure at the next setting of tie eun. •,<„•... , . ~ His last night! His—lost—night! Was this he?— Carter Ridgedale?—standing in Budd's doorway, staring at the gathering shadows and listening to the brook, as it purled and oooed under'the old bridge, "Bah 1" he thought, starting. "I swear I won't do it. I'll go fishing onoe more, and "have one good day. Then I'll go home and die like a Christian. I'm demented to think of such a thing." "Yes, and then?" came the hard afterthought. Ridgedale shrugged himself. 'Til hare one good square meal anyway," be said. "It's worse than going to one's execution— I haven't done it yet—l won't think about it.". ./,.-.■ '■:■■■ :■- ■: ' . . ' '^r Ah man! queer mask that smiles anc smirks and twists, to hide the mck and anguished soul within, cheating thy felfelloWH and the pissing eye, but not thyself—nor God 1 ' ■ Carter came out on the piazza- after hit supper and Ht his pipe. Budd was expatiating to a man upon the attractions of the vicinity, and beckoned to him. "Here's a fisherman, Ridgedale 1" he exclaimed. "I forgot to tell ye About him. He came yistiddy. Name's Allerton— you fellers want to git acquainted. The two men shook hands, smiling .at the introduction"Mr Allerton's a professor of somethin'— I forgit what—don't make no diffrence. Mr Ridgedale kin tell ye what I aay'is true, Perfessor- He see it! ."_ "Budd was relating a sad occurrence regarding the fate of a fisherman up on the Gulf Brook some years ago," remarked the strangef j drearily. " Did you witness the. finding of the body? I am much intenested." "It's about Pete Geer!" put in tielandlord. " Yes, I was there," answered Carter, huskily. "It was a distressing sight.." , "Let's see," observed Allerton, ''it is. about a mile up the gorge, you said, Budd.' quite a fall there by the ruin of an old sawmill; a big .beam rests on th* bank about four feet above the water, and juts out a little way beyond a part of the ruined foundation, right over a deep, swiffhole—and there's a great place for trout, eh? Is that it?" "That's it," replied Hercules, "and right to the end of the beam is a big pesky tackle hook —used to have a rope an' pully, on to it to haul things up on. That'e tbe critter* what done the mischief. It ketched poor Pete's foot or hrrtohee, I forgit iwhich, an' hanged him upside down an' drownded him. 'Round here we call* the place Deadman's Hook, an' it ain't fished much- now, I tell ye!" "I should like to see the spot just out of curiosity," said Allerton. "How do you get to it?" "Oh! jist foller the path goin , up or comin' down. I fish down stream mostly; walk up about two mile and then strike in. The old wood-road runs 'longeide. It's a lonesome brook—l don't like it. Where are you going to fish to-morrer, Mr Ridgedale? - ' "Why! I thought I would try the Gulf Brook. I have only a day and I want to catch all I can,'' responded Carter. "Goin' to fish up?" asked Allerton, suddenly. " Yes! I always fish up," was the reply. "I must write a letter and then go to bed," said the Professor. "Hope you will have good luck, Mr Ridgedale." " Thanks! Are you going out to-mor-row?" "1 may take a tramp, but I don't think I shall fieh much," answered Allerton. "We may meet during the day. Goodnight." "Queer cuss!" remarked Budd, as the etranger departed. "He's been moonin , 'round all day trying to get started fishin'. I don't believe he's much of a feller at it. Hβ quite chirked up this evenin , ." " Well! I'm going to bed, too, old man, and get a good sleep. Wake me at five o'clock if Tm not up!" said Carter, with a yawn. "Hey* ye got to turn in so airly? 1 thought we'd set up an' visit," replied his toet, reproachfully. "I can't to-night, I'm tired out. Tomorrow night, maybe. So long, old man. ,, "80 long, boy!" said Budd. "H«'« jiat the same," h* thought, w

Carter, went upstairs. " Don't change T.ite. What a fine feller he's grown i '> ba!" Yee, boys, look back to dear old counti days and picture in your minds those hear friends who in their rough regard hai held you close, and now in their old a; delight to point with pride to your succes as in their loyal hearte they whisper lov " Growed up fine fellers." And why sneer at the poor h&lf-crazc cheat, sitting on the edge of the feathi bed, muttering to himself, " To-morro night! to-morrow night!" fighting tl weariness of a dread disease and stru; filing to be resolute and strong in carryir out the plans of his perverted soul. F< only yesterday in meeting him you woul have gladly joined the common cry, "Fir fellow!" Ridgedalo took a vial of morphine tal lets from hie vest pocket and counted ox three. "That's enough to make m .skep," he sighed. "If I could only tal them all, k. would be an easy way, but no there is no easy way of accidental death. "Five o'clock!" shouted a well-know voice. "Time to git up, snoozer!" Where was he? Oh, yes! he knew, an< !he was going to do it. The day had com nnd the hour was coming. He would no flinch. His head throbbed painfully, ani he felt so stupid and sick; he muet mak an effort to appear bright and cheerful No one should suspect. He poured out a big dram of whiskej from, his flash and gulped it down. I made the pain in his head worse, bu enabled him to progress with more resolu tion and a deadened sensibility. Hi: breakfast was a mechanical, tasteless opera tion. Then he took his tackle—the old rod h< hae fished with for years, his iaeket, bai box —all loved companions of his bappi days, and walked out into the glare of tb" brave June sun. . It was half-past five Cfaking dizzily at the mountains, he started "Hey!" called Mr Budd, from the" barn "The Perfessor has stole a march on ye He went up the road half an hour ago." Carter nodded at him stupidly and triec to smile. "He will feel bad," he choked. "Go on, fool!" he added, "don't fcbink—gc on!" Out of sight, up the wood-road, he jointec his rod and arranged every little detail, ■even to baiting his hook. "I must get there first," he muttered. "If Allerton tramps around, he may spoil everything.' Raising his flask to his lips he took another long drink. "I'll need it," ihe said fiercely. "It's got to be done." He almost ran up the rough path. Tht forest wae fragrant with a thousand delicate scent?, that indescrib able odour of the woods. Tlw birds sang a chorus of happy good-morn-ings, but the man who always stopped to breathe in the freshness of themountain and to listen to the music from the feathered throats plunged on unheeding. Not for him now were the brightness and bird-songs, the ferns and the delicate leaves of the sprays. His thoughts were bent on a rough beam, where his eyes should grow dizzy and his foot slip. Ah! ihe could see part of it now; he must leave the path here and pick his way across the rocks where the blackberry vines tangled, then down, then out on the plank—then— Was that some one crawling through the bushes—a man with a white, set face, creeping _ toward the stone where the beam lav i Where had he seen that face, with the grey moustache and imperial? Surely, it was thaa friend of the night before, but what was he doing? RWgedale started a little to get a better

viewj the big cock shut off tie sight of the man now, and the beam too. He •lipped and fell heavily, and the next moment the eyee of Professor Allerion were angrily glaring into hie. Carter rose slowly to Ms feet, his eyes hard, stony, staring. Hie companion fell back a step, moistening jhie lips with his tongue, and glancing guiltily from side to aide. Each had read in the other* face the iiideoae secret of hie soul! Naked, ""bare, shorn of all mitigating circumstances, the truth etood forth as plainly as if written in letters of fire upon their blanched brow*. fJUenuy Ridgedale held out 'his flask, and Allerton grasped it eagerly, and swallowed great gulp* of the grateful stimulant, then returned it and watched, almost jealously, the fierce working of the other's throat as he drained the remainder. 4 . ' a word had been uttered, and now the two, as if by a mutual impulse, moved from the screen of the boulder, and stared Aβ* if fascinated ait the long, heavy plank jutting out over the gurgling water the great rusty hook imbedded in it* end, like the crooked finger of an evil> beckoning Fate. :■■/ \ ■ . ..'■ . * \ Slowly the hands of the men stole out and clasped, as if for protection from some direful menace, and so they, stood and gazed. "Let us'sit down," said ~ihe Professor, at last. ''Wβ understand each otiier, my dear fallow. We have both been saved from * terrible crime*" ' <.-',:■ - , ' '['■ r. Carter nodded, still staring at the beam, sad they selected a flat rock in tie shade. "This is a most extraordinary happening!" observed Professor Allerton. "I think we had better be perfectly frank with, each other. .Why should you, if you are willing to tell me, desire to put an end to your life—a young man and apparently in good healtfr, and certainly in your'right mind?" Cafter told him briefly his inevitable end and the reasons for his action. : "Atid you have a wife and children and resolved on this course for their supposed benefit?", - ■ . :KdgedaJe' nodded. "Why not!" he exclaimed. "It seems .to me yet sensible end best all around." "You; ban be cured, I think," said the other; "your trouble is not as hopeless as many physicians think. lam a chemist by profession, but have made a thorough study of this subject. Ten years ago my symptoms were precisely similar to yours* 'I was given to understand by excellent advisers that my case was hopeless. I would not give up. I experimented, discovered a remedy, cured myself, and am to-day physically sound and well. lam confident that a cure can be effected in your case." The younger man stared. "I oannot believe it!" he said. "I shall prove it," responded his companion. "If I can save a life, I have, after all, something to live for." A great nope sprang up in Carter's heart. "Tell me, tell me of this remedy," he cried eagerly. • "There in plenty of time, ,, answered the Professor, smiling; "meanwhile, you may believe and trust me, even if a few' minutes ago 1 was at the point of self-de-struction. I cannot quite account for my own action," he went on; "it was an impulse that overcame me, or ratiier.l welcomed it. I was rejoiced to feel that I could desire to take my life. The story of this spot had made quite an impression upon me—l wished to see it, and alone. Arriving, it seemed so natural and easy a way of ending my lonely existence that I hailed the thought as a message from the Fates. You have everything to live for—and to hope for—my friend. 1 have nothing to live for, nor to hope for, except, now, your recovery. Within two yettrs death has robbed me of a beloved wife and my two children. I am but a lonely, heart-broken man. Death would have been welcome. Let us get away from this accursed place," he added, risingfrom the stone on which they had been seated. , "Out folks is home airly, Man!" bbserved Mr Budd, ac the two guests strolled into the yard. "The trouts ain't bitin', I guess. " Too bright, maybe. Lucky I bought a good mess of that boy, so's Carter will hey some to carry nome tp his fam'ly." "He an , thet Perfeseor man seems mighty thick fer only knowin' each other kasj'n a day," replied his wife; " see 'em smilaa , an' lockin' arms. Must hey had fun up on the brook. Guess they didn't go nowheree near Deadman'e Hook, or toey wouldn't be so cheerful." •They're two awful fine fellers, I t-Wnk," said Hercules, watching them. "Carter, 'specially." Ridgedale's law practice k increasing rapidly, and he is noted for hie careful habits and excellent health. A tall, slender man, with a grey moustache and imErial, said to be a scientist of note, makes s home with the Ridgedalee when not travelling, and the children call him Unci* AikJtaot .