The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-11-18
THE END OF HIS TIME.
By JAMES KNAPP REEVE.
copyright, 1892, by American Press Associa.
tion.1
TCONTINUED.1

81 hope we won't have any trouble,
gentlemen" he said obsequiously. "Fll
do this business as quietly as | can. |
have papers for the arrest and extradi-
ton of George Chalmers, wanted for
escaping from the Columbus peniten-
tiary February -, Is
He stepped forward and placed his
hand upon the shoulder of the older man.
81 believe you are my man." he said.
Chalmers was about to shake the fel-
low off Indignantly and exclaim as to
his real identity, when he was arrested
by a sudden movement of his brother.
STOP" he said calmly, Il am George
Chalmers. Now explain yourself"
The officer looked from one to the
other suspiciously.
''Play fair now, will ye, gents?" he
said, "'cause don't intend to let either
of you get away, at least not until I'm
sure of my bird"
Don't be afraid" returned the other
contemptuously. "Now explain this
business"
WELL" said the detective, still ey-
ing the two men questioningly, as if try
ing to establish their identity in his own
mind, "you may remember a little ex-
change of prisoners that was made i'll
cell number thirteen hundred and sew
enty-siX one night some years ago. /
was on duty in the prison then, and have
had my suspicious ever since and have
been trying to follow 'em up. But,
you see, couldn't find out where the
one that went away had gone; so just
up, naturally supposing he'd follow the
first one then"
But what do you want now? The
state has been satisfied, because the SEN
tence of prisoner number thirteen hun
dred and seventy-six has been served in
full"
1t was Ogden Chalmers who said this,
and he spoke with so much repressed
passion in his voice that the officer
turned again and gave him long look
II guess you're the one that served
most of it," he finally said; you've got
the prison look. A man never quite gets
rid of it after so long term. Then it's
the other one | want. But you do look
uncommonly alike"
"Yes," said George Chalmers impa-
tiently. Il am the one. Let me see if
your papers are all right"
AS the officer opened and began to
read the warrant, Ogden arose and
crossed over by his brother.
Let him take me, George" he whis-
Yora1 GETt won't onv
and shall be as we'll off there as here
Didn't you hear what he said? I have
the prison look Let me go back again.
Then the past won't have been wholly
in vain"
sit has not been in vain; believe that,
Ogden, whatever happens now. But
you shall not go back; am not weak
enough to allow that" George clasped
his brothers hand firmly as he spoke.
Il must-there is no other place for
me-" insisted the other. 81 will go
quietly; there will be no disturbance
nobody here will know"
"No, no, Ogden. l have been a crimi-
nal once and a coward once, but will
not do this. If either of us must go it
shall be me, and do you stay here, with
your own name and your own interests. ;
''Sorry to interrupt you, gents" said
the officer, coming nearer them. At the
same time he drew pair of handouts
from his pocket. "Duty is duty" he
said, ''if it is mighty unpleasant some-
times, and until we can settle which of
you is which l guess I'll have to make
nf hot Ac l. l1oo la
the handouts toward the elder brother
meaningly.
For a moment there was again fierce
contest of passion in Chalmers breast.
All the hot hatred of his nature against
wrong and injustice and oppression, so
long restrained, leaped up and took form
in the sudden movement of his strong
right arm. For an instant he thought
to fell this man who had dared to offer
him this insult to the earth, but in a
moment he had mastered himself again
and put out his hands in submission.
The man moved nearer to place the cir
clet of steel about his wrists, when
George Chalmers arm came like flash
of lightning between them and the fell
low went down like stone before it.
''That was not WISE" said the older
man quietly. SIT was not worth while.
thought of it-wanted to do it; but it
will only prolong the matter-make it
worse" Then he looked steadily at his
brother, as if considering the whole
affair. "But l am glad you did it," he
said finally. II know now that you
coro I woo haoipDiDo ~ do,,bk 4boA oo
the fellow came in."
"l am glad you believe it," said the
other simply. "only l wish l could
prove it better than this; | suppose now
we must see to this fellow"
He went to the door and gave some
quick directions to a clerk, then came
back and sat down beside his brother.
81 have sent for my lawyer and for an
American DOCTOR" he said.
These soon came. The physician ex.
amined the man, who lay in a stupor
where he had fallen.
He is not badly hurt" he said. 1--WE
will get him off to the hospital, and nc
use of any fuss about it."
Meantime the lawyer had examined
the papers that were scattered about the
| floor.
"These are all palpable forgeries," he
said; "the fellow is evidently black
mailer. can take care of him for you
if he gets safely out of the hands OF
our friend, the doctor"
J CHAPTER TX.
This little incident of the attempt al
blackmail seemed to make an impres.
sion upon Chalmers that was out of al