The sun., 1892-01-03
THE QUALITY OF MERCY.

OeuBhS i ubnsactionS wTlCn were all the time
carried on with impunity, he told himself that
Interest could be used to make his punish.
mont light. In these hopeful moods It was
necessity OF his drama that his transgression
OF tho law should seem yenial to him. 1t was
only when ho feared the worst that he felt
guilty Of wrong.
1t could not be said that these nom ents OF n
consciousness OF guilt were 80 frequent as
yer % become continent and to form mood.
1hey came and went: perhaps toward the last
Shey were more frequent What seems certain
that in the end there began to mix with his
longing for home desire. feeble and formless
enough. for expiation. There began to be
suggested to him from somewhere. somehow.
something like the thought that II he had
really done wrong there might be rest and
help In accepting the legal penalty disrropor-
Oonate and excessive as 1t might be- He tried
% make this notion appreciable to Pinney
whom they first met after he summoned Pinney
10 Quebec: he offered II as an explanation OF
~ action.
In making up his mind to return at all haz-
ords and to take all the chances. lie remem-
bsred what Pinney had said to him about his
W5llinRness to bear him company. It was not
Wholly generous impulse that prompted him
- send for Pinney. or tho self-sacrifcing do
sire to make Pinney's fortune in his new quail
~ OF detective: he simply dreaded the long
Journey alone: no wanted the comfort OF Pin
Aey's society. He liked Pinney. and he ionged
for the vulgar cheerfulness OF his buoyant
spirit He felt that he could rest upon it In
the fate he was bringing himself to face: lie
ilstinctively desired the kindly. lying SYM
pathy Of q soul that had 80 much affinity with
his own. He telegraphed Pnney to come for
him. and he was impatienttill ho came.
Pinney started the instant he received North
Woke telegram. and met him with an enthu-
eiasm Of congratulation. "Well. Mr.. North.
wick. this is o great thing. It's tho right thing.
end it's the wise thing. It's going to have a
tremendous effect I suppose" he added, a
little TREMENDOUSLY. "that you've thought 1t all
thoroughly overp'
Eyes: I'm prepared for the worst" said
Gorthwick.
"Oh. there won't be any worst" Pinney re-
turned gayly. "There'll be legal means Of
delaying the trial: your lawyer can manage
that: or II he can't and you have to face the
music at once. we can have you brought into
court without the least publicity. and the
Judge will 60 through with the forms. and itll
j. be all over before anybody knows anything
hbout It I'll see that there's no interviewing
lind that there are no reporters present
d Thereu probably be Q brief announcement
Smong tho cases In court but there won't be
Anything painful You needn't be afraid. But
r0hst I'm anxious about now Is. not to bring
feny influence to bear on you. Ipromised my
!! !Qifs wouldn't urge you. and won't: know
I'm little optimistic. and II you don't see this
Bling exactly coule,ir de rose. don't you do It
atom anything say" Pinney apparently put
treat stress upon himself to get this out.
b STve looked It In the face" said Northwick.
ecki"
eThsy expect me at any time. You can
'kptify them"
b Pinney draws q long. anxious breath.
Well." he said. with . sort Of desperation.
(Sthen I don't see why we don't start at once"
Have you got your papers all right 2"
&orthwiet asked.
Yss." said Pinney. with blush. "But you
\ now." he sddeG respectfully. Il can't touch
pu til we get over the line. Mr. Nortbwlck."
Il understand that Let me see your war.
seaak"
: Pinnsy reluctantly produced the paper. and
8oEthWiok read It carefully over. He folded It
IAD with . deep sigh. and took long. stin
hnyelope from his breast pocket and handed It
70 AnneX with tho warrant Here is the
nonsy brought with me-"
:. Mr. Northwicki It isn't necessary yet! In.
leed q isn't I've every confidence in your
honor a. Q gentleman" Pinney's eyes elowed
With 10y. and his fingers closed upon the en-
Vslops oonyulsively. "But II you mean bust.
Osss-s
-.Imsan business" !" said Northwiok. Count
Il"
: Pinnsy took the notes out and ran them
essr -Forty-one thousand six hundred and
forty"
"That Is right" said Northwick. "Now. on
Seher matter. Have you got handouts ?"
why. Mr. Eorthwickl What are you giving
hsr demanded Pinney. I'D as soon put
them on my own father"
"Iwant you to put them on me-" said North
wick. II intend to 60 back as your prisoner.
III have anything to expiate "-and he seemed
% indulge question Of the fact for the last
time want the atonement to begin as soon
as possible. II you haven't brought those
things with you. you'd better 60 out to the
police station and get them. while I attend to
the tickets"
'"oh. needn't CO." said Pinney. and his
ohce burned.
He was full Of nervous trepidatlon at the
etart and throughout the journey he was anx-
Sous and perturbed. while on Northwck. after
Ghs FIRST excitement, deep quiet stupor. or
Aspiritual peace. seemed to have fallen.
by 0eorgel" said Pinney. when they start.
%. ANYBODY to see US would think YOU were
taking me back" He was tenderly watchful Of
NoxthWick's comfort: he left him free to come
end 60 at the stations: from the restaurants
hs bought him things to tempt his appetite:
bat Northwick said he did not care to eat.
They had q long night in day car. for they
found there was no sleeper on their train. In
the morning. when the day broke. Northwick
asked Pinney what the next station was.
Pinney said he did not know. He looked at
Northwick as II the possession OF him gave
him very little pleasure. and asked him how
he had slept
IT haven't slept" said Northwick.s II sup
pose I'm rather excited. Myn nerves seem dis
ordered"
''Well, OF course" said Pinney. soothinely.
They were silent moment. and then North.
wick asked: What did you say the next sta.
ton was?"
I'll ask the brakeman" They could see
the brakeman on the platform Pinney went
out to him. and returned. Its Wellwater. he
says We get breakfast there"
Then we're over the line now." said North
wick.
why. yes" Pinney admitted. reluctantly.