The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-16
CHAPTTR XVII.

ITO what, asked Tommy Earle with
icy formality and politeness, do ] owe
the honor Of this visit| Tor The space
Of onto q minute Beautiful Jim stood
still and stared blanEly al him. Os u De
had not understood the meaning Of his
words At last. however Lo pulled him
salf together. and smoke. What Oh
earth do you meanY' he asked.
Exactly what / say. returned Tommy
Earle. curly.
Most men would have grown furious
under snch al attack from lac Il
Tonmy's years and regineata! standing
bat BEAUTIFUL jim, jast freed from tl-
shsdow OF violent and ignominious
death. with the weight OF bis best friends
cruel murder still pressing upon him, did
not lose bis temper IN the ieast--on TIC
contrary. be became calm and Sill
Tommy" he began when Tommy IL
terrupted him passionately.
Earle, If You please, sir, he cried.
"Mister Earle, said jim, with hal.
smile, and strong emphasis on the word
tell ne plainly what you mean by this
extraordinary behavior
The inference is obvious, said Tommy
coldly.
yes, 10 an inqu.Iing toue-then, find
ing that tho lad did not speak, went on
and am 70 infor-whot$' bat even as
the question passed his lips the pale light
broke IN upon him. and be grasped Tommy
by tho arm with grip that made him
Vince and shrink.
My God. do you mean 90 say that you
believe murdered him.? he cried
Tommy turned away bis head and tried
10 force hs arm from the gap u tie
others strong lngeTs
Answer ne" tauudered jim.
LET 60 my arm aue 90 cut q my room
II you please. Mr.. BerSsiord. returned
rne lad
Bat Jim stood still and STARED etrsicht
;nto the lads handsome eyes, as II lie
would force out q them the plain words
which apparently Tommy tongue refused
70 speak; and as they stood % an awful
thought flashed into Beautiful J.ms be.
wildercd mind--s confused recollection OF
something gone by, something Ike O
dream, and get, OH whet was ~ Whist
was III \ memory crowded over by the
mist Of Intense droWsinoss. and yet IL he
could only grasp IL, memory that had
something 50 utterly real aud vivid about
IL that IL would show the whole truth 10
rhs ligat az once But what was itt
Ay. what was IL. and what was tlors iu
young E1rles eyes which gave him tie
clew be sought know not, and as.
suredly Beautiful jim. 10 The END Of bis
days, would never know y either but
during those terrible moments Of doubt
and anguish the uists were suddenly
lifted of bis mind. and lie reInem bercc-
romembcred the dream lie had bad that
night, dream Of Owen. bis dear old
friend, being IN anger with him and the
monentous words. Consider Yourself
under close arrest. Go 20 your room I'll
once and viii send for your sword In
an instant everything was perfectly clear
10 hin, and be gr.ppcd young Tommy &
arms closer and faster than ever
"fop-young-hoGnd" lie exclaimed
between bis SC; teeth, u suppose you
mean 10 come your last Of tho Lares rot
over me IN this instance, Tie last OF tie
Earles. and q pretty ending tor the
karies--to be snuAed Out BY the hang.
man's rope"
Young Tommy's white face turned 70 q
s!ekly yellow, and jim felt treInor run
through him.
What Do you mean. SIR be cried. try
ing 10 pass It 81 with q high hand and
succeeding very badly.
u mean that yOu--you murdered Owen
and kno" N-yoU oastardly young
hound; and you tried 70 iosten il on me
yos seJundrel." and forthwith Beautiful
Jim set 10 work ond shook the lad. much
as q terrier shakes a rat aud with as littl,
mercy, until IN fact the teeth seemed q
rattle Ia his head, and his very knee.
seemed 10 knock together. Then. with {
last burst OF fury. lie dung him from hip
into tho big chair, where no 10y gasglns
and lvid. moro Ike Imp rag than 1
smart young oilceI~-to say nothing al a.
Of his being the last Of the tarles.
Bat even then bo did not altogether
giye Ia. you shall answer for this| az
panied.
Answer for g., echoed jim, with
mighty scorn. Yes, by the heavens
above us, will answer for II. Will en-
swer you, you damnable. cowardiy hound.
! say you murdered Owen, murdered him
10 cold blood--you struck him from DO
hind. Ihavs the most convincing proofs
sesinst Ser. IbsYh only 70 -dtscloxe- ina