Wichita eagle., 1890-03-05


had experienced.
Suddenly, through the still house, rang q
crv-a wild fierce cry of anguish and despair
All! what a cry was that! To my dying day
shall hear it.
And with that helpless, baffied cry, strange
unreasonable even as it must seem-all my
resentful, my angry feelings, were forever
swept away, and an overwhelming pity for
the prisoner filed my heart.
Isprang up and ran down stairs. The office,
was tying the man into stout kitchen chair
"Oh!n / cried, don't do that; let him &c
free"
The officer, whose name was Stout, stared
at me in amazement. $50 freet" he repeat
ed, ''when we've caught him in the act!n
'He hos taken nothing replied. There
was nothing for him to take. Release him
if you please"
Elizabeth, why do you talk in this wild
way" said my brother.
II wish him to bs released"
'Beg pardon, a'am.n said the man Stout,
"buJ it would be agin the law 70 let him go. y
1.-THE lawn ] repeated scornfully. "Oh,
yes; the law has swift fingers for poor, starv-
Ing unfortunates, but has it for the rich
rogues who steal millions. / insist, sir, that
this man shall be at once released"
''rll go for the wagon, sir" said the officer
in low tone.
every well; will remain here until you
return.
NO" cried, springing forward. I was
too late. With a grin upon his sly, detesta-
bic face, dr. Stout shut the door as l reached
it. i turned to Geofrey in q fury of rage
and sorrow.
"how dare her gasped. ''He shall pay
for this. He shall learn that this Is my house.
He shall understand that IL | choose to re-
lease burglar instead of entering a com
plant l shall do it, The odious, hard hearted
brute!"
Elizabeth, YOU are excited. Pray look at
the matter reasonably. This mana common
burglar, breaks into your house. ando-
"Oh, don't" | interrupted. Suppose he
did, whose folly led him to its Not ten min
utes ago you answered that question. And
he isn'ta common burglar. You're not, are
you" turning suddenly upon the prisoner.
He shook bis head.
''Therel l knew it. What led you to do
this' Did you see me in the street?''
Finding his voce-ahl how it shook tho
man answered briefly, 1--WE never broke in,
ilOI tlisu tC Stctil an HOW, WIN tIc
fust time, I'm took Luck's down on me,
Inaam. l haint had no worl, for moron
three weeks an the old woman an the little
girls wuz starvin', an / seed you out on the
street, an so | cum here tonight. | thought
ef you could carry it along SO careless, you
must have plenty. An hadn't nary cop
per-"
"Oh," I cried. pacing up and down tho
room. I am so sorry! 1t is all my fault.
Geoifrey, do you heara 1t is all my fault!
And this poor man viii be sent to prison, and
|, the guilty one, will go free, But, with a
sudden resolve, II will care for you family.
You may trust me. l will Go it. l would do
anything to save youm
The mans eyes had been upon the floor.
Now he raised them and looked at me.
Thank you, rna'am," he said, maybe you
can help me yet" There was in his voice an
appealing, imploring accent, I thought, and
all appeal in the eyes, looking into mine.
Anything / can do l will" replied. 'It
was | who tempted you. | shall never forget
that my reckless folly led you to thisn
''lt was the devil tempted me-" he said
eff I'd had work he wouldn't ha' caught
me so easy. And" es he saw the tears
streaming down my cheeks, elf l hadn't ha'
seen your pile he'd ha' led me into something.
I couldn't ha' gone home without nothing for
the old woman an the little girls.
His last words fell almost UNDECIDED upon
my ear. For, in my restless pacings to and
fro, up and down, suddenly perceived the
file with which he had severed the bar of the
shutter. "Ah," thought, ''be means that,
he wishes me TO pick up and give it to him. "
For few seconds longer paced the floor
restlessly. Then / turned to my brother,
"Geoffrey, am too tired to climb two flights
of stairs; will you go up to the spare cham
Der and bring me down warm shawl9 1t is
growing chilly here"
Certainly, my dear. But with a look
you will not have long to wait.
Stout may return at any moment"
At another time should have laughed at
the warning he sought TO convey. "He may
return, thought, 'but lie will not find me
to cut those cruel fetters. Nor
shall he see me give him that file But have
it he shall, before he leaves my housen
Godfrey left the kitchen. Instantly !
picked up the file and flew to the man.
Quick, l hear wheelsl Where shall /
hide it,"
''in my mouth" =" opening it wide. There"
as he moved it with his tongue, there, therel
don't open your mouth or it will fail out!
When you're free 60 10 Canada
You'll have to work your way, I'm afraid
Go TO G. Go TO a Mr. Kirke: he has q fac
tory. Any one will direct you; he will give
you work. / VIII write and tell him: and by
and by ] viii send the wife and children
Hush! they are coming! Don't try TO speak
1t was my fault, YOU know; only do be hon
est, and don't, don't drink l trust you. /
believe ali you said! l know your story is
truet'
These words and few mora OF kindred
nature l said to the prisoner. And then
Godfrey returned, and al the game momen.
Mr.. Stout entered with a subordinate
With a queer, choking senation l looked
1t the prisoner as he gave me a parting glance
IF gratitude. Not an hour since I desired
us capture and now how ardently i longed
'or his freedom. Well, before morning he
would have it. | comforted mysed. | turned
. Godfrey after the last sound Of wheels had
lied away. You didn't believe the mans
story! / did. But l inquired the name of
lis recent employers, and l shall ask what
'ort Of a man lie has been in the past"
Nv hat IS the namei"
"Whrecross s. Birch. Boot factory peo-
pie
Il happen 10 know them. I viii make
-our inquiries. They failed O few weeks
ago, and-and it may be-yes, possibly, the
Door fellow was in their employ. I viii as
certain Tomorrow
Tomorrow" !! Thought, with thrill Of
triumph, "ro-rlorrow he will,be on the road
% Canada"
/ was very late the next morning. and
while / was at brcaifas; GeofFrey joined me.
4 have been down % the station" he said
''Yesf Did you see the-the man-the-
here. / viii not call him burglar He
was nor q burglar by chorce And ip>o-S,