Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-05-03
1aslllnat0n stanaars
BEAUTIFUL jim.
By JOHN STRANGE WINTER
CHAPTER Xxx.
TEN DAYS LEAVE.

CHAPTER Xxx.
TEN DAYS LEAVE.
As soon as Beautiful Jim had q spare
hour to himself he went down to the
Ducks Tail and asked for the landlord,
who came TO him, looking little fright
ened.
Mr.. Brown" said jim, going straight
to the point at once, Il want to have ten
minutes private conversation with Miss
Meebing. Have you any objection to it,"
Not the least in the world, sir, re-
turned Mr.. Brown, civilly, ''and. perhaps,
Mr.. Beresford. you won't be offended if
make SO bold as to say never was so
pleased in ny life as was when the jury
gaze their verdict-never."
That's very kind of you. Mr.. Brown"
said Jim, and forthwith held out his hand
TO him. and now, if you can let HE see
Miss Meeking for ten minutes, | shall
be more than obliged"
You shall, sir" said Mr.. Brown. and
Immediately hurried away to carry Jim's
wish into effect.
In the course of q minute or two the
bar maid appeared, evidently in almost as
great fright as she had been on the day
of the inquest.
Good day" said Jim, civilly-"er-do
you mind shutting the door,
Miss Meeking shut the door and ad.
vanced very slowly and unwillingly to-
ward the fireplace, keeping her terrified
eyes fixed on Jim the while.
Jim handed her chair. "You had bet
ter sit down, had you not?" he said, in the
same civil tone. Il shall not keep you
long, but you lsok i'll. You had better
sit down" Z.
Miss Meeking sat down. Jim, on the
contrary, stood up with his back to the
fire; there was moments silence.
You are perhaps little surprised at
my wishing to see YOU" Jim began, land
dare say you will be more surprised still
when you have heard what have to say
to you. l wanted, however, to sec you
about the evidence you gave at the in.
quest the other day."
what about itf told ell I knew, "
the bar maid flashed out.
Excuse me" said Jim, very politely,
but you did nothing of the kind-you
told very little and. as it happens. you
krow great deal"
Miss Meeking started up from her chair,
but Jim motioned to her to sit down, mo.
toned with q gesture so imperative that
she was compelled to obey.
You did not tell the truth, Miss Meek
ing" said he, severely, land though it is
possible you do not know it, they call
false evidence by the ugly name Of per
Jury"
''And what did say false?" She
framed the words with her pallid and
trembling lips rather than spoke them.
''You implied q great deal. You SUP
pressed all that passed between you and
Capt. Owen about a ring you were wearing
OF tho time. You did moi. tell tho Jury that
yen had given your word to Capt. Owen
that you would have nothing more to do
with Mr.. Earle. CT that the self same
night you broke your word, while it was
almost yet in your mouth, and actually
told Mr.. Earle what sent him straight
back to barracks in o blind passion,
andS-
= ''Sir. !" said she. rising and going toward
him, 'as there isa God In heaven above
us did not break ny word at all told
hinton. that is-that I'd have no more
to do with him. that Id seen how set
against marriage his people would be-.
and how It would be the ruin Of him.
told him his father would never overlook
1t or receive me, and that we couldn't DO
married without his father, for We couldn't
live on nothing. And then Tom went
into fury-poor boy, he Is that passion.
ate-and asked for tho ring So had to
out and tell him that I'd given it to Capt.
Owen and that he could get 1t from him
And with that he Just cursed me and
Capt. Owen. too, and went; and never
saw him again till saw him at the In
quest"
rs that trues" Jim asked. search
"frue Is that God is above u.s. Rose
Meeking answered. solennly. Mr. Bercs.
ford. I'd no idea Of his going back and
numbering him, and II shielded him it
was because believed in my heart the
poor lad was beside himself when he
did It,"
''And supposing that suspicion had
grown against meT said Jim. Would
you have shielded him 1t the cost Of my
iifsf"
mo, Mr. Beresford, would not. II
you had not been cleared that day should
have given him the chance Of getting
away. and then should have spoken out
Il was that that made me so nervous and
eightened before the jury. l was terri
fed lest should clear one at the expense
Of the other"
"But do you know that am not clears~
said Jim. gravely. $50 long - this mys-
terry remains ] may be brought mp again
ct any time and charged with my friend's
murder"
Il should speak for you in that case,
Mr.. Berssford," said the bar maid, With
dignity.
t
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