, 1889-05-09
BEAUTIFUL jim,
BY JOHN STRANGE WINTER.

"uh, perfectly returned Tommy, with
sncor. The suecr reused every feeling
OF evil that Lad any foouhold IN Nancy
gentle heart they were not many, but
they We're eDorgh to make Tommy thor
oughly uncomfortable for the rest of that
day.
IF you fail 10 keep your tryst, she
said. Coldly, "oUr father knows every.
thing before o'clock to-night," and then
sho turned from him without another
word and rcjoned the others, who were
walking toward the carriage.
So almost before the clock 4 little way
mp the High street had struck the hour,
young Tommy made his appearance il the
sitting Room which was for tho time being
that of his father and sister, and few
minutes later was followed by his com
radc, Beautiful Jim.
Then was Nancy's opportunity, nor did
she neglect TO take advantage of it. oh,
Stuart" she said. in tone so admirably
easy and like her own that Beautiful jim
was fairly startled and looked up quickly,
fully convinced that in the pain of part
ing his gentle sweetheart had forgotten
all the past. Il have something to show
you-cOmc into nay room for minute.
Jim, you will talk 10 my father till we
come back, won't yoU?"
jim bowed and made some polite re-
5oinder, and Nancy went briskly out of the
room, followed ty Tommy.
They found her maid busily arranging
her gown for the evening. You can 20
down for half an hour, Susan" said
Nancy, and as the maid obeyed, closed the
door behind her Gn1 turned the kcy in the
lock. Then she went across tho room to
Tommy's side, and surely, if Beautiful
Jim could have seen her at that moment
l,T frpr,1l T,,r
IicSs of tho past II the sternly compressed
lips and the shining scornful eyes.
81 have not asked you to cono here to
reproach you, Stuart" sho began. looking
straight at him with her wonderful, clear
cray, shining, honest eyes.
Young Tommy shifted irresolutely from
ono foot TO the other. II should thinl-, 4"
he blurted out, 'xhat you could hardly 10
so mean when I'm just off to active CcT-
vice. and may never come homo again"
"a very good thing if you never DO. i"
she responded, coldly. but. ell the same,
1t is just because you are going to the
front. and perhaps never may como homo
again. that asked you to come up here
want TO know if you have considered
that. in the event of such happening. it is
possible, even probable, that yonr guilt
may fan on the shoulders of another who
Is perfectly innoeeut?"
Tommy looked at her blankIy. What
do you mcan?' ho Gsked
Il mean, said Nancy, steadily, THAT,
supposins you happen to be killed out
there or to die, and Mr. Beresford gets
homo safely, the charge against him
might be raked up again. and he might
hnd it difficult, or even impossible, to
clear himself"
Il never thopeht of 1t" said Tommy,
with evident sincerity.
II don't suppose you did-you don't
think very much of any one but yourself.
you know, said Nancy. very scornfully
Il have thought of it, however. and
mean you to secure him from any such
risk"
"How?"
by leaving written account behind
you of Capt Owens death"
IL shall do nothing of the kindl Do
you think I'm going to incriminate my
self in that way3 No. III be shot if
DO" he cried. Indignantly.
Nancy eyed him coolly. Hanged, you
moan. she said, with extreme quietness.
Tommy made great start. NANCY"
he said, hoarsely, ''aro you trying how far
you can go?"
NO" She replied, steadily, ''for have
no need. know exactly how far can 20.
and you also. You will sign that paper
before you leave this room,"" She
added. ''or l go straight to my father
with the whole story. If you were
man.. with great scoTn, you would be
only too glad to save man who had
borne so much for you from such a risk;
but you Gro the same Stuart You have
been nA eloqg. bad. selfish and reckless to
the lowest dSPths of your wicked heart.
Beresi0rd Sn has not kept silent for mel