Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 146 No. 4 — page 113: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

acknowledged complete failure. Finally, after repeated efforts, they gave up. His personal friends were likewise baffled and agreed among themselves that Mrs. Ral- lings’s death had completely wrecked her husband. _ Three months later Dr. Rallings visited the State penitentiary. He had been there on numerous occasions, called to examine inmates suspected of having mental disor- ders. He was intimately acquainted with McDermott, the warden, and was given a hearty welcome by the latter. “Why, Dr. Ralling!” he exclaimed. “ Welcome! We'd about given up the hope of having a visit from you again.” The doctor smiled faintly. “Tt has been a long time, Mac,” he re- turned. ‘“ However, I’m here on a matter of business. I’d like to see a man named Lankford—Amos Lankford—who is to be electrocuted Friday.” “ Certainly, doctor,” returned the war- den. “ Just a moment.” He pressed a button on the desk, and a moment later instructed the guard that Dr. Ralling be conducted to the death chamber. The doctor followed the guide down the long corridor, and shortly heard the bolt shoot in the lock, leaving him alone with the doomed man. The prisoner did not look up as Dr. Ralling entered. He sat on the narrow cot, staring sullenly at the blank wall. “Tm not here to do you any harm, my friend,” said Dr. Ralling, walking over and placing his hand on the other’s shoulder. “I’m here to do just the opposite.” The man raised his head and fixed his gaze steadily on the doctor’s face. “ Yes,” repeated Dr. Ralling. here to cheat the chair.” Still Lankford did not speak. He con- tinued to scrutinize the other man, waiting for him to continue. He had heard so many things since the supreme court had affirmed the death sentence that the doctor’s words seemed to have no effect whatever. Dr. _ Ralling sat down by the prisoner. Placing his hands on Lankford’s shoulders and look- ing him straight in the eyes, he continued: “J know you are doomed to die Friday. _ But as I said a moment ago, I came here “T came THE TEST. < for no other purpose «than to cheat the chair. I am Dr. Chester Ralling. Proba- bly you’ve heard of me. I am going to speak frankly and make you a proposition. When I’m through you can decide. Are you ready to listen?” Lankford nodded. “Tm ready to listen to anything,” he said dully. ‘“‘ Go ahead.” Dr. Ralling cleared his throat. “About three months ago my wife was killed,” he began. “ She was run down by an automobile at the intersection of Fifth Street and Twenty-Third Avenue. She died shortly after the accident occurred. ‘“ Speaking truthfully and from the bot- tom of my heart, Lankford, I am an infidel. Or, rather, I was until-a few nights ago. I doubted the existence of a Supreme Being. I scoffed at such a thing as religion. I did not believe in a hereafter; I laughed at all forms of worship. Atheism was my doc- trine; I had no patience with any other creed. “And it was this very fact that caused my wife the only unhappiness of which I knew. I loved her with all my heart; she was life itself to me. I would have cut off my right arm for her. I would have been dipped in molten lead for her sake. But to profess belief in religious matters was something I could not do, not even for her. At least, the way in which she want- ed. She tried to show me the way for years, but something in me wouldn’t agree. I was honest enough to tell her the truth. I simply didn’t believe; the beast in me, I guess.” He laughed mirthlessly, and continued: “ Now, it is possible I was wrong. I’m not sure now I was. At any rate, I always spoke what was in my heart. I said that I was an infidel until a few nights ago. I don’t know what Il am now. The very night I underwent this change I read im the eve- ning paper that your last appeal had failed, and that you were to die Friday. Then I thought of an idea. That’s why I came to see you.” Mopping his forehead with a hand that — trembled slightly, he continued: was” visited by my wife se other nig Lankford looked i: wa Lt )