Page 185 (1/1)

Dropping back against the wall, ith perspiration, a triue His muscles relaxed and his eyes lost the dread that had filled therew into an expression of sweetness and peace that his face had never known before

As he staggered to a chair close by, a great sigh of relief broke froasped "It's over! it's over! My head is oninto the corner--no! no! By my head--my own head, too--it was a close call for you, Elias Droom Now, I'll take what comes I'll wait for James Bansemer! I'll stick it out to the end If he comes, he'll findso long for me in that corner--and I never suspected it, either God, how near it was to me! It stood there and waited for me to come It knew that I would coone! It's not there!"

With eager hands he gathered up the pieces of wood and cast thehtful minister of death crackled and spit with defeated venohted his pipe and cocked his feet upon the stove rail, a serene look in his eyes, a chuckle in his throat