The Opelousas courier., 1888-01-21

When he came to himself he was in
a strange place, but it was still John
Harmon who was with him and who
had this to say:
"Now, look here, Steve Brady, don't
YOU 90 to fussin' or worritin'! You've
been took with a spell, and busted a
blood vesselinnardly, through strainin',
but YOU don't want doctorin' SO much
as quiet an peace of mind. That's why
1 brung you here. This is my room and
it's in my mother house, and | want to
say to you that I'll be squire an even
with you. IXGstake a step toward
seein' Dolly till you're on your feet
again. | won't try to get ahead with
her through your misfortin', and l don't
want you to feel beholden. to me for
anything. You'd a done as well by nj
if I'd been in your fix.
The evil spirit in Steve was quelled
by this generous treatment.
"You're a better man than l am, john
Harmon he cried out. you're more
deservin' of her, too"
Il don't know" answered John, "Im
slow an you're quick, that's about the
difference. 1t just depends on which
she takes to most, that's all there is of
it. %
Another spirit moved the injured man
before he was conceded by John Har-
mon to be fairly on his feet again.
The latter came home late from his
work one evening.
"How's Brady2" he asked of his
mother as he. sat down to the supper
which she had kept for him. "Wants
to get out, Ell? He'll be there soon now,
but / reckon rll have to give hip the
slip tonight. She'd be disappointed if
| didn't come round"
Eyes, from the mother. but seems
to me bananys I'D give you better worth
for your money than them there roses,
john"
sShe wouldn't think so, mother"
Then a door went shut, and Brady,
who was half way down the stairs when
these words arrested him, turned and
went up again with his blood on fire.
So, this was the kind of faith with him!
This was the man who was more worthy
of Dolly than he was.
He could hear John splashing the
water at the kitchen sink as he made
ready to go out, but Harmon had 40 idea
that a dark figure on the other side of
the way, when he finally reached the
street, was that of his rival. He did not
notice how it crept after him, keeping
him in sight; and if there had been any
doubt at all in Brady's mind it was oon
ended, for they were taking the direct
route to Dolly's home.
1t was q lonely way dow1 side streets
and alleys, and presently steve saw a
second dark form on Harnapn's side Of
the way now, creeping steaithily after
him. He remembered thel that this
had beer pay day and that John most
probably had his weeks wtges in his
pocket; but his first impulse EEds to cry
out and warn the other died DOWN n
Why should he interferes What bust
ness was it of his if John should be as
saulted and robbed2 Was not the latter
stealing a march on him, carrying roses
to Dolly and ingratiating himself when
\ he had promised to keep away. He had
a momentary glimpse of IN uplifted arm
carrying something which looked like a
short club. He knew instantly what
!, it was. He remembered an item which
she had read the week before of an u n
hnlown man who had been sandbagged
ortfhe street and killed outright ky a
sill e blow. He had not set this out
law apon the track of John Harmon; be
ha9 nothing to do but to hold his peace
and might be his rival would be re-
moved from his path forever.
It was d wicked thought, . horrible
thought.
ssYou hain't got to do nothing, Steve
Brady only just keep quiet" whis-
pered the tempter.
But another inward voice, finer, stiller,
made itself heard.
.sWher'd you be now if he'd done
nothing when you hung down from that
rotten eavestrongh2 Did he keep quiet
an let you drop cut Of his way, Or did
he venture his life to save your'na This
here's murder you're a nursin' in your
heart, Steve Brady. Are you ready to
do murder for any girl-leastwise for a
girl that don't know her own mind well
enough to choose between the two OF
youg
All this before the mlrderous blow
fell. It takes time to tell these
thoughts of his, but they all flashed
through his mind in the space Of q
breath. As II fell 4 wild, ear-spfitting
yell startled the assailant and assailed
alike. John Harmon wheeled in his
tracks, and the blow. grazing his cheek,
had force to knock him down. He was
up again On the instant; up ii time to
catchrsteve Brady as the ruffian flung
him off after the briefest struggle-fo,