Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-27
Confused from Yesterday
BEAUTIFUL jim.
By JOHN STRANGE WINTER.
CHAPTER XVIII.
you WON'T TELL HIM"

words. At last. however he pulled him
self together. and spoke. What on
Garth DO you mean he asked.
Exactly what | say" returned Tommy
Earle, curly
sfost men wou.d have grown furious
under sncA al attack from a lac OF
Iomry's years and regimental standing;
bar BEAUTIFUL Jim. just freed from the
shadow Of . violent and ignominious
death. with the weight OF his best friends
cruel murder still pressing upon him. did
not lose his temper in the lcast-on the
contrary. he became calm and still
Tommy he began. when Tommy in
terrupted him passlOnateiy
Earle. if you please, sir. be cried
Mister Earle. said Jim, with half
smile. and strong emphasis on the word
tell me plainly wha, you mean by this
extraordinary behavior.
The inference is obvious. said Tommy
coldly
Yes. in an inquiring tone-then, ind.
ing that the lad did not speak. went on
and am to infer-whaty' but even As
the question passed his lips the pale light
broke in upon him. and he grasped Tommy
BY the arm with = grip that made him
vince and shrink.
Ny God, do you mean TO say that you
believe murdered himY" he cried.
Tommy turned away his head and tried
to force his arm from the grip Of the
others strong fingers
Answer me" Numbered Jim
Let 90 my arm aud go ont OF my room.
II you please. Mr. Beresford. returned
the lad
But Jim stood still and stared straight
into the lads handsome eyes, as II he
wo.Id force out of them the plain words
whist apparently Tommy's tongue refused
TO speak and as they stood so an awful
thought flashed into Beautiful Jim's be
wildered mind-a confused recollection of
something gone by. something like
dream, and yet. OH what was if What
was III A memory crowded over by the
mist OF intense drowsiness; and yet, II he
could only grasp it, a memory that had
something so utterly real and vivid about
it that it would show the whole truth TO
the light At once But what was it!
Ay, what was it? and what was there in
young Earle's eyes which gave him the
clew lie sought | know not. and as
suredly Beautiful Jim. to the end Of his
days, would never know il either; but
during those terrible moments Of doubt
and anguish the mists were suddenly
remembered the dream he had had that
night. a dream Of Owen. his dear old
friend. being in anger with him, and the
momentous words. Consider yourself
under close arrest. TO to your room ut
once and | will send for your sword. In
an instant everything WAS perfectly clear
to him, and he gripped young Tommys
arms closer and faster than ever.
"You-young- hound" he exclaimed,
between his set teeth, II suppose you
mean to come your last Of the Earles rot
over me In this instance. The last of the
Earles, and "a pretty ending for the
Earles-to be suuiIed out by the hang
man rope
Young Tommy's white face turned to
sickly yellow. and jim felt L trenor run
through him.
''Wna Go you mean, sir" he cried. try
ing to pass it oil with high hand and
succeeding very badly
&c ulc,tu hat you-you murdered Owen,
and know it-you dastardiy young
hound, and you tried to fasteu it on me-
yo.l scoundrc." and forthwith Beautiful
Jim set to work and shook the lad. much
rs a terrier shakes II rat and with as little
mercy, until in fact the teeth seemed to
rattle in his head, and his very knees
seemed to knock together. Then with q
last burst OF fury. he flung Inn from him
into the big chair, where he lay gasping
and livid. more like limp rag than q
smart young otficcr-to say nothing at all
of his being the last of the Eares.
But even then lie did not altogether
give in You shall answer for this" he
painted
Answer for it, echoed jim. with
I,,r ha
above us. will answer for it, will al
swer you, you damnabe. cowardly hound
say YOU murdered Owen murdered him
in cold blood-you struck him from be
hind. have the most convincing proofs
against you | have only TO disclose the
subject of Owens conversation with me
that afternoon. and to show the ring that
he insisted on having from that woman,
to put the rope round your neck without
chance of escape.
Ring gaspcd Tommy, i'll different
tone What ring. What woman
What ring? What woman Jim re-
pcated in disgust. DO You come that
humbug over me still2 Then Mister
Earle, will enllghteu you mean the
sapphire aud diamond ring, engraved
with your family crest and motto, which
you gave as pledge OF affection to that
sharp noseI httlc Eu2zy at the Duck s
! Tail Ah'-you know what ring mean.
do your as Eroan of utter and AFFECT
despair burst from the lads lips.
Jun went Oh without mescy Now, |
see it all-all You went to see that
woman on your way back to barracks
/ from Eiaukhampton, and she-lil,e the
/ double faced, designing little jade she is
1 told you Owen lad been mere, that he had
seen the ring on her hand and insisted on
her giving it up. Then you came back
and bided your lime, and after owen left
| my room. YOU followed him to his And
then. you came your last OF the Earles'
air vain him aud demanded your ring,
and Owen refused ~ give 1t to you until he
| had communicated with yoar i.,.eF -
lie did not. broke in Tommy. eagerly,
"Ah those were not the precise words.
dare say said jim, carelessly, but
can give you the precise words which were
the las, the dear old chap ever spoke
they were these Consider youIse ander
close arrest Go to your room ut once
and viii send for your sword! aud
then said beautiful Jin, speaking very
slowly and distinctly. 'yoa-went--back
and killed ihrlr
The lad had been lying telrlessly back
In TIC big ehGir staring at jim with a fas-
cinatiou pjieeus q behold, but Is the last
words fell upon his ears ho sprung up.
trealJlin.; in every lint.
Il never meant Ia do it-never-I
swear 1t had no thought of harIning
him; it was done III blind rage it was. in
deed"
"Irl Was it blind rage which
prompted YOU to try 10 palm of your das-
tardly eeFsrdice unon me- jim de-
manded, contelsylvs9-sig. Was that
blind rage
ii have been uad ever since, replied
the u q, ely. God above orly kno~s
how sad V u.t have suffered have
not known wha. I've been doing.
| haven't irdcsd"
al there's been good deal OF net d
IN your iaadness, though. returned J n
III disgust.
Bat gesiord-Ji.. Tommy begcn n.
when TIE otAer interrupted nim sharp.y;
| jim - my friends only 5eres ford 70
| my equals l.c said. cuItly 10 YOU.
now and tor always. Mr. Deresto,d. il you
please
The miserable I'D made 10 reply, but
| he hid his face upon his srt.;s. saivering
and shrinking away from the u..-.g VI Lis
comrades righteous indignation. Wat
| contrast they made. tne Two. the Ole SO
straight and strong aEd Lonest, the OF Ter
SO wretehcd, So pitia5le, a miserGIle
| guilty thing driven Up III . corner, VIII.
out even strength to stand ct bay.
! At last he looked mp. What are you
| going to dor" he asked. hoarsely