Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-04-12

thought he would have imagined was
ready TO murder my best friend. Utter
fool as he is, he might have known better
than that"
Leader don't think 1t at all. poor
devil" said the colonel. promptly. He
swore through thick and thin that he Lad
never said it, and | left him blubbcring
like school boy kept in on a cricket
match day. But I'm afraid Il will prove
troublesome business. and. by the bye.
Beresford, how coul Leader have got
such an idea?'
well, colonel, in one way lie was light
enough" Jim answered. Owen did come
into my room that evening in a towering
rage, but not with me, nor in any way
concerning me. ! can't tell you what
about, as it is connected with another
person who could not have been mixed up
in tho later events, for he was and is alb
selutely ignorant that Owen knew what
he did know and was SO affected by it, as
happened to know. Leader was right
enough about there being high words,
only they were not between US. In fact,
it was simply that the poor old chap was
full of disgust, and therefore came and
poured it all out to me. OF course, all the
other fellows will be able to speak to the
fact that Owen and were on the best of
terms during the whole evening"
"Oh, of course it won't hold water for
q moment, Jim," said the colonel, kindly
at will all come right. there's not a
doubt about that; only it was so unfor
tunate that Private Leader should have
aired the idea that there were hish words
between you, more particularly as you
say the matter about which Owen came
to you could not in any way be connected
with the after events of the day"
There was . moments silence, but
then Beautiful Jim looked up at his
commanding officer. who. by the bye. had
never called him Jim in all his Life bo-
fore.
I'm very glad that you believe in me,
colonel" he said. simply. because it
puts new heart into me; but l do hope
that, while these fools Of detectives are
trying to fasten 1t on me, they won't let
the real man slip through their fingers.
I've an idea that 1t will all come out-n
dim and confused sort Of feeling that I
ought to be able to put my finger on tho
villain. and yet. though I've been think.
ing and thinking night and day ever
since it happened. can't hit it"
ut will come out, never fear" said the
colonel; and meantime, your great OBJ.
ject must be to provo your own inno-
cence. Better far that the poor fellow
should 60 unavenged altogether, 30 far
as this world is concerned, than that the
wrong man should suffer for it. I'm sure
Owen himself would be the very first to
say SO, more especially as they have
picked out You as the wrong man"
Colonel" said Jim, solemnly, Tho was
the best and truest friend l ever had in
my life, and, speaking slowly and clearly,
II give you my word that would sooner
suffer the worst myself, if it would insure
the murderer being brought to Justice,
than that his cruel death should 90 un.
punished and unavenged."
''Hushl" said the older man, impera-
lively. you do not realize what you say.
The issues Of life and death and Justice
lie In higher hands than yours. Ven.
geance is mine. I will repay. saith the
Lord, and as tho words which the chap.
lain had used on the previous day fell
upon his ears the hardness died out Of
Jim's resolute face, and he let his hands
fall to his side.
"You are right, colonel" he said,
humbly. I'm unhinged and unnerved
altogether. I-I-hardly know what l
am saying. Don't stay hero any longer
sir; you'll do me moro good by looking
after my interests outside"
ITO be Continuedl