Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-04-26
1t ARLINGTON Stanaar@
BEAUTIFUL JIM.
By JOHN STRANGE WINTER
CHAPTER XVIII.

but 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 least-on the
contrary, he became calm and still.
Tommy" he began; when Tommy In
terrupted him passionately.
Earle, if you please, sir" he cried.
Mister Earle" said Jim, with half
smile, and strong emphasis on tho word,
tell me plainly what you mean by this
extraordinary behavior"
The inference is obvious" said Tommy
coldly.
"Yes, in an inquiring tone-then, find
Ing that the lad did not speak, went on
land am to infer-what?" 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.
My God, do you mean to say that you
believe murdered him3" he cried.
Tommy turned away his head and tried
to force his arm from the grip Of the
others strong fingers.
Answer mel" Numbered Jim.
Let 60 my arm and 60 out Of my room,
If you please. Mr.. Beresford." returned
the lad.
But Jim stood still and stared straight
into the lads handsome eyes, as II he
would force out of them the plain words
which 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 Q
dream, and yet, OIL what was it, What
was It'll A memory crowded over by the
mist Of intense drowsiness; and yet, II he
could only grasp It, memory that had
something SO utterly real and vivid about
the Light at onc& But what was 1T
young EAxls's eyes which gave him the
clew be seughti l know not, and as
suredly Beautiful Jim, to the end Of his
days, would never know it either; but
during those terrible moments Of doubt
and anguish tho mists were suddenly
lifted of his mind, and he remembered
remembered the dream he had had that
night, . dream Of Owen, his dear old
friend. being in anger with him. and the
momentous words, Consider yourself
under close arrest. Go to your room at
once and will send for your sword" In
an instant everything was perfectly clear
to him. and he gripped young Tommy's
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 mo in this instance. The last Of the
Earles, and pretty ending for the
Earles-to be snuffed out by the hang
mans rope"
Young Tommy's white face turned to q
sickly yellow. and Jim felt . tremor run
through him.
''What do you mean, sirf' he cried, try.
ing to pass it of with q high hand and
succeeding very badly.
II mean that you-you murdered Owen,
and ! know it-you dastardly young
hound; and you tried to fasten It on me
you scoundrell" and forthwith Beautiful
Jim set to work and shook the lad. much
Is terrier shakes rat and with as little
mercy, until in fact the teeth seemed ia
rattle in his head, and his very knees
seemed to knock together. Then, with Z
into the big chair, where he lay gaspina
and livid. more like . limp rag than 3
smart young oficer-to say nothing ct all
Of his being the last Of tho Earles.
But even then he did not altogether
give in. you shall answer for thisi" be
painted. s
Answer for It'll" echoed Jim, with
mighty scorn. Eyes, by the heavens
above us, will answer for It. Iwiu an.
swer you, you damnable. eowardly hound.
! say you murdered Owen. murdered him
in cold blood-you struck him from be.
hind I have the most convincing proofs
against you Ihaye 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"
tone. "What ringf What womanfs
what ring7 What womanf' Jim re.
peated, in disgust. do you come that
humbug over mo still Then, Mister
Earle. 1will enlightm you. Imean thu
sapphire and diamond ring. engraved
with your family crest and motto. which
You gave a . pledge Of Affection to that
sharp nosed little huxzy ct the Ducks
Tall Ahi-you know what ring ! mean,
do you3" - groan Of utter and abject
despair burst from the LADS lips.
Jim went on without mercy. Nov.
woman on your way back to barracks
A>A@AAaAADaAkSs<AAAD
double faced. designing little Jade she is
told you Owen had been there, that he had
scen the ring ON her hand and insisted o.
her giving Il up. Then you came bacl
and bided your ttme. and after Owen lef,
my room. you followed him to his. And
then, you came your 1agt Of .thos Earles
cir With him anl dananAod yonr ring
and Owen refused 70 give Il 70 YOU until s.
had communicated Nth your faAh@"-
He did not. broke IN Tommy. eagerly
''Ahl those ware not the precise words
l dare say" said Jim. carslessly, 'but
can give you the precise words which wsr'
the last the dear old chap ever spoke
they were these: 'Considee yourself unde
close arrest Go to your room at ono
and will send for your swordr snt
then, said Beautiful Jim, speaking yer,
slowly and distinctly, '.you-wsnt-bacl
and killed himI"
The lad had been lying helplessly bacl
1.-The big chair staring Ct Jim with . fas
cination piteous to behold, but g the las
words fell upon his ears, he sprung up
trembling In every limb.
II never meant to do it-nsver-
swear It. I had no thought Of harmin:
him; It was done m blind rage; it was, in
deed
"H'm. Was It blind rage which
prompted you to try to palm OF your das
tardly cowardice upon met" Jim de
manded. contemptuously. WAS that
blind rageT
II have been mad evsr since, repliet
tho lad abjectly. God above only knows
how and what have suffered. I have
not known what I've been doing.
haven't indeed"
'.Ahi there's been good dealof method
In your madness. though" returned jim
In disgust.
But. Observation-Disclosures began
when the other interrupted him sharply
Jim to my friends cnlyNBeresford te
my equals" he said. CURLY. ITO you,
now and for always. Mr.. Beresford. If you
please"
The miserable lad made no reply, but
he hid his face upon his arms. shivering
and shrinking away from tho blaze of his
comrades righteous Indignation What
. contrast they made, the two; the ono SO
straight and strong and honest, the other
so wretched. so pitiable. o miserable,
guilty thing. driven up in . corner. with.
ont even strength to stand at bay
At last be looked up. What are you
going to dof" lie asked, hoarsely.
Dor Jim rspeated "Why. what
should do but tell the colonial the whole
truth 1t oncs:"
Young Tommy shuddersd and buried
his face In his arms once more. ''Thsy
will hang me" he moaned.
And good thing. too. returned Jim.
coolly- Tho sooner the better, before
You have time to Do any more mischief.
And one thing u very certain. which Il
that you'll thoroughly deserve It.
mo. no." Tommy cried, my family;
my father. OIL no, no. Berssford, don't
hang me; for the sake Of my name.