Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-08-03
CHAPTER XIII.
FOR THE OLD MANS SAKE.

CHAPTER XXIH
FOR THE OLD MANS SAKE
Undoubtedly it was the most bitter mo
ment which had ever come into Nancy
Earle's life. when she stood tightly
clasped in the arms Of the man who loved
her. the man she loved. and learned the
true story Of the terrible murder which
had taken place in Walmsbury barracks:
when she learned with shame and anguish
that II was no other than the last Of her
proud race who had done this damnable
and cowardly deed.
She was so ashamed That was the KEY
note Of her thOughts-shame. only shame.
Although she had not known 1t, she had
been proud Of her faith and trust in the
man she loved-she had unconsciously
been thrilled with a delightful sense Of
pleasure in her own brave faithfulness,
which could stand up. though all the
world should be against him and all the
evidence Of circumstances might consplre
to do him to death. and yet say: II love
this mani believe in him-he Is incapa
Bile Of this vile thing that Is laid to his
charge"
Yes. there had been something grand
and noble in her love. and she had felt
that. como what might in the after years.
he could and would always feel that the
woman he loved had never wavered in her
trust Of himi And then. after all. to find
out that he had kept silence for her sake
and for that of the old father who had
borne his good name as q bright jewel to
b guarded and treasured. that he had
kept silence in the face of charge which
could. and most probably would. cling to
him all the rest Of his life. Obi 1t was o
bitter. bitter blow to the girl who had been
reared in pride. and whose training had
bsen one Of honor.
In those few minutes Of reflection she
went back over the years OF the past. the
years during which she had willingly
stood On one side for her younger brother.
because he was the last Of the Earles. be
cause he was boy and she was only q
girl-a gr.--a thing Of no particular inn
portance. and though she was an Earle
like him. yet she was an Earle who did
not count. There was no thought. or
room for such In her mind. of pity for
any temptation which might have led him
to do this horrible thing-she had no feel
ing Of mercy toward him. Oh! no. only a
wild. indignant sort Of rage possessed her
that he should have stained and sullied
the fair name he bore. and have put upon
must carry with them TO the grave.
She broke from the clasp Of Jim's arms
and turned to the window. where she
stood looking out upon the square. speech
less from anger, and whirl of hot indig
nant thoughts chasing one another
through her mind; and at last she turned
back to where he was still standing
"You must tell my father" she said,
decidedly "Yes-yes--l know all that
you would say But | am doing what
know he would like best II he knew. 1t
will be an awful blow to him. but he
would never forgive me If he found out
that had kept such thing from him."
Beautiful Jim shook his head.
II will not tell him." he said. firmly.
''ln ths face Of suspicion he has trusted
me. and ! will not reward him in that
way. ! could not. my darling. even for
you"
But II he were to find out" she began.
''Then he never must find it out. re.
joined jim. firmly. WHO Is to tell himy"
II will" said Nancy.
1T will be his death blow--it will kill
himi lie has always been the best of
fathers to you. and for tho sake of that
young"-he broke oil ugly word off here
and substituted q milder ono for it
THAT young idiot. would you reward him
thusf No. my child. am suro you will
see that 1t cannot bel Besides. he is so old
and We are young. We Isn welt o little
for each other"
And he Is to go on In his wickedness
unpunished. holding his head rs high as
he will9" she exclaimed.
Jim could not help smiling as he re.
membered TOmmy's piteously abject dir
on the evening before poor dear old Owens
funeral at Walmsbury.
Tho poor young beggar is not holding
his head very high. my dearest. he said,
gently. Besides. for the sake of your
father. we can leave his punishment to u
higher Will than ours
''Is It possible that you have any pity
for hima" she cried incredulously.
''Yes. that have. Jim answered. ut
is no light matter to have murder on your
mind. and he doesn't look Us II he found
Il So"
"Ahl you don't know him. I" Nancy cried.
II do. He Is like an india rubber ball
while you hold him tight he is crushed
and quiet. but Lnce release your grip of
him and he Is as full Of bounce as ever
II he knows that you know, can well be-
lieve that ho Is humble and abject to you.
That has been his way out of difficulty and
danger ever since he was boy--a baby;
but now that he is out of your sight, ]
would not mind stalking my very life that
he 10 flirting with one Of tho Leslie girls
at this moment"
mot ct this moment" said Jim. smil
ing aadly, 'if you would be very accurate,
that is--but likely enough be Is thinking
about It."
She flushed up angrily ell over her fair
faces