Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-04-29

IL air Inc WluuOW was SuSuCy Sc
| cured, SO it could be easily raised. He
must be the first to enter, and it was q
new part he was to enact, that of pro-
tector. Lightly and deity he sprang
through it; the violets were within
reach, and he could not resist the incli-
nation to take them in his hand. Family
| back to him came the remembered per-
| fume, and stronger grew his resolve.
| 1t was but the work of minute to
close the window, and stand guard be-
| fore it with his revolver.
Two determined faces stared at each
other in the pale moonlight. The one
outside, full of establishment and wrath;
the one within, white, with set lips and
firmly drawn eyebrows.
..It's all up, SAM" said the man out
| side, after waiting to see any sign of re-
lenting to Jabed Jones face. .All's to
paw with Jones tonight, but if he's sot,
he's sot, and we shall have to try this
game another time. I'll fotch him for
this, or my name isn't job Stout. He'll
be ON us with the police and the hand
cuffs next. The shortest cut for the
| woods, that's all that's left us
Standing motionless in the window,
Jabed Jones saw the men 90 silently
and stealthi!y away. When they were
out CT sight. he turned and looked
around the room. 1t was library with
its walls lined by low bookcases, over
which were suspended large pictures.
There were statues, vases, baskets,
bric-a-brac, of whose value Jabed had
more that an indistnct idea, and near
the large table which, covered with pa
pers, stood in the middle of the room,
was a guitar with long blue ribbon at
tached to it.
That's hers" he said, with nod
toward it. Il should like to see the
pretty creetur for the violet's sake
Then he sat down on the edge of a
large leather chair, and sank into a
deep reverie. Perhaps it would not be
true to say this was the first time in his
life when the past rose up before him
with sharp sting, but certain it is,
that never before had he been so thor
oughly and deeply ashamed of himself.
He seemed to have been suddenly drop
ped into life which, with its refine
ments and elegance, belonged to a
world SO different from his own that he
never before even imagined its exist
ence.
Dimly and crudely there came to him
thoughts of God and retribution. A dull
wonder whether he, Jabed Jones, could
by any chance have done better, have
been man like this man. have owned
house, have pretty child to nestle down
close to him, to call him '.fatherr" He
looked down at his hands, wicked hands,
that had SO far wrought out only evil.
Could these rough fingers ever have
delicately turned the leaves of a gold
bound book?
Wholly engrossed in these new
thoughts, he was sitting there careless
of consequences should he be discover
ed. when he heard voice say:
MY friend, think you have mis-
taken your home tonight
Starting up he saw the same gentle
man he had seen on the piazza fearless
ly approach and stand beside him.
IL have been watching YOU for some
time" he said, land have convinced
myself that you mean no harm. Will
you tell me how and for what you are
here?''
Something in the gentleman's quiet
ness and GOODNESS touched the startled
burglar; he answered hesitatingly:
Its no harm, sir! II beg pardon
III 60 at once.
Eyes, dots not the hour for
strange visitors-but stop, is there any
thing can do for you? you don't seem
to have evil intent, and there is my
watch on the table where l left it last
night" pointing 10 the watch partly
hidden by papers on the study table;
''you are not a burglar!'
mo sir, not-not a burglar here; l
beg pardon; goodnight, sir" He went
to the door. then half turned back.
Its the violets. SIR he said; just one
little one to remember her by, if
might be so bold
The next morning was the Sabbath,
April. There was life in the flowers
and bird-music in the air. To Jabed
Jones the world looked new There
seemed to be new life every where,
Jabed Jones himself longed for new
life.
The prayers of the past are never dead
seeds. They blossom. Jabed Jones re-
tive of his unpromising and unfaithful
race had made for him. He WAS ready
to answer them.
There was peal of bells, Easter
bells. Jabed had heard Easter bells be-
fore. with the outward ear, but never
with inner sense until now.
Throngs of people with bright, happy
faces passed him on their way to the
church. They Wore flowers. lilies of
the valley, violets. Sunshine. chimes,
birds. Jabed Jones followed the long
procession of worshipers. He came to
the church, door and listened. He heard
Il deep voice say: Behold l make all
things newt
The organ-a burst of music
If any man be in Christ. he is new
creature; old things have passed away,
ali things become new.
Create within me a clean heart, and
renew a right spirit within me-
Jabed heard the chant. He turned
away. ''New. the word haunted
him. He knew little of theology. but he
~ \ Il