The Forrest City times., 1891-05-01
side, the left grasped the arm of the chair.

who is just about to rise to her feet,
 He did note the singular calmness of her voice, and was more startledsby its tenderness than by her appearance.
 "pm glad you hae come, Jeems, for hae muckle to say to you afore get up."
 What is it, mother?'
 His own voice was somehow subdued and less self-assertive than usual. You ken, Jeems that hae mony times had rizzon to complee O your way O doing; and mair than once in my passion l was actually meaning to take every bawbee ava frae ye and gie it to some O the hospitals?"
 "Oh, yes; but that was only when you were angry" he answered uneasily. "Ay, but my anger lasted lang enough for me to make out the will"
 ''Whatr'
 "Ye needna be feared. There was frien' O yours wha after lang speakin gar't me put that paper in the fire" "Who was that?" he asked, breathing freely again.
 "It was nane ither than Bob Ross. Hae ye ma rizzon to be grateful tae him?'
 The selfish nature of the man rendered him indifferent as soon as he knew himself to be safe.
 "Of course, and I'll thank him when we meet"
 The woman's eyes set in that gaunt, sal. low face seemed to glitter as if a flame were refectVl in them; and there was weird solemnity in her voice.
 "Ye'll hae to dae 2 heap mair than that =. Yell hae to put him richt wi his folk. Yell hae to tell how it cam about that he fell doom stupefed at the wheel"
 There was none of Bells customary pas sion in tone or manner. She pronounced the sentence calmly, and tdere was tremu- lous sadness some where which rendered her words the more impressive.
 What do know abou. it." he said suki. ly after the first surprise. except that 1 gave him a dram, and"
 And you ken what was in the dram, Jeems. You ken that there was nearly tho hale O this stuff that was in this bottle in 't''
 She lifted the right hand from the table, and showed him a small phial.
 Where did you get that?' he exclaimed, starting up, and then suddenly checking himself, whilst inwardly cursing his own stup dity in having laid down the phial in his berth on board the Mermaid and forgot ten it, instead of throwing it overheard at once. He was only for moment puzzled as to how it came into his mothers posses sion, for he presently remembered the visit to Peterhead of the creature he now began to look upon as his evil genius, Dick Baxter.
 Bell Cargill went on.
 You bought this ou pretence that you wanted strong sleeping drink. and you gied it to Bob Ross =. Did you na dae that?'
 What is the use of asking such foolish question: he growled restlessly.
 The old woman looked at him long time, and that strange sadness which was lying somewhere in the back ground became more evident in the lines of the worn face and the darkening of the eyes Without anger, scarcely with any change of tone, she spoke.
 "I ave kenned ye were fule, Jeems. bu, never thought you were a william. Own the truth to me. or you'll hae 10 own it in court O justice. Ye hae wranged the man that was your best frien'-when get upTH mak' amends tae him. But that's na the question. You mann mak' amends tae him enoo, or never farthing O my siller ye shall hae. Speak-you did it."
 Cargill saw how much in earnest his moth- CT was, and after a struggle with his vanity, which was overcome by his greed, he an> swered, with clumsy attempt to be jocular Well, l did put few drops into his dram, but il was only joke, and meant no harm. had no notion that he was going to wreck us"
 'Hech, sirs, and that's a your repentance. Ie ken fine that you were caun to wreck him. .. Put your name to this paper"
 Cargill looked at the paper, which she held under her hand, and read the writing on it It was plain. brief statement that he had purposely given Ross n sleeping draught. He made an attempt to snatch 1t away from her, but whilst she covered 1t with one hand she placed the other on his breast
 ''Hearken Jeems If that paper Is na put into the hands O Dick Baxter this nicht wi your name to it you will be ruined"
 He hastily scrawled his name, thinking that he could easily tear the paper after wards; but at that moment his evil genius hirpled in at the door, and snatchcd the pa- per almost from under his hand.
 The paper doesna matter, mistress, says Dick Baxter, though I've got it. 1 was standing on the stairhead and heard every word he said tae ye.' Cargilfs impulse was to seize the man and take the prize from him by force; but the attention of both was attracted to the mother.
 Her eyes had become suddenly dim, and she muttered, in voice growing rapidly more and more faint
 Tell Bob Ross I'll mak amends tae him when get up. I'm weary enoo'." And Bell Cargil lay back in her chair and fell asleep.