Under Sealed Orders | Page 3

what money does, though. I know who they are, for I caught a
glimpse of them as they sped past. It's money that talks with them; that
is the only voice they hear. They will ride over the less fortunate, and
crush them down as worms beneath their feet. They have been doing it
for ages, and look upon it as their right. What do they care about the
meaning of the falling waters when they are always listening to the
voice of money. Curse them. Why should they revel and sport with
ill-got gains, when honest men can hardly get enough to keep breath in
their bodies."
The young man was standing erect now on the side of the road. His

companion shrank away somewhat fearful lest he should turn upon him
and smite him.
"You seem to have suffered," he at length remarked. "You appear to be
annoyed at people who have money."
"And why shouldn't I?" was the savage reply. "Haven't I suffered at
their hands, young as I am? Haven't I been scorned by them to the limit
of all endurance? Haven't they made a mock of me for years, calling me
names behind my back? And why? Just because I happen to be poor,
and have tried honestly to make my way in life. But there, enough of
this. What's the use of talking about such things? It will do no more
good than the voice of the waters which you are continually hearing."
Along the road the two walked in deep silence. The old man found it
hard to keep up with his companion, and he was at last forced to fall
behind. Soon he was alone, and then his thoughts went once more back
to the falls, and the glorious vision which was in his mind.
It was only when he reached a small building by the side of the road
that he stopped. Pushing open the door, he entered. All was dark and
silent within. The strange loneliness of the place would have smitten
any one else with the feeling of dread. But the old man never seemed to
mind it. Fumbling in his vest pocket, he found a match. This he struck
and lighted a tallow dip which was stuck into a rude candle-stick upon
a bare wooden table. One glance at the room revealed by the dim light
showed its desolate bareness. Besides the table there were two small
benches and a wash-stand, containing a granite-iron basin. A small
broken-down stove stood at one end of the room, by the side of which
was a couch. Not a scrap of mat or rug adorned the floor. There were
no blinds or curtains to the cheerless, windows, and not a picture
adorned the walls.
But the old man did not notice the desolation of the place. It was quite
evident that he was beyond the influence of earthly surroundings for the
moment. Going at once to the couch, he brought forth a roll of paper
hidden away beneath the pillow. Carrying this over to the table, he sat
down upon one of the benches and spread the paper out before him. By

the light of the candle it was easy for him to study the carefully-made
lines upon the large sheet. Eagerly he scanned the drawings, and then
placing the forefinger of his right hand upon one central point, he
moved it along one line extending farther than the rest until it stopped
at a small square in which was the word "City." This action gave him
much satisfaction and a pleased expression lighted up his face. "Power,
power," he murmured. "Ay, quicker than thought, and bright as the sun
shining in its strength. Great, wonderful! and yet they do not realise it.
But they shall know, and understand."
Along the other lines he also ran his finger, pausing at the end of each
where was marked "Town," "Village," or "Settlement." He talked
continually as he did so, but it was all about "glory" and "power." Over
and over again he repeated these words, now in a soft low voice, and
again in a loud triumphant manner.
At length he rose from the bench, crossed the room, opened the door,
and stepped outside. Not a star was to be seen, and the wind was
stronger than ever. It was keen, piercing. But the man heeded neither
the one nor the other. He was listening intently, and the faint sound of
Break Neck Falls drifting in from the distance was to him the sweetest
of music.
And as he stood there a sudden change took place. His dead drooped,
and he leaned against the side of the building for support. A shiver
shook his body, and as he turned and entered the house his