The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-10-12
"What friend?" he exclaimed, in

ACttlNCu IL iib"
"Impo -Sibie" he yasgei.
1t is tue"
He sank Gown upon seat. and for
some time he'd his head in his hands
Are you sure you have not made Il
mistake:" he asked at length, in
hollow voice.
Il am certain Of what assert"
You can prove IT."
Il can
Then you shall prove it. All,
me. poor. poor dear Virginia.! 1t will
break her heart. 1t will be the death
Of her. l fear. Willingly would 1
give half my fortune to have these
miserable circumstances otherwise"
1T is not too late. Mr. Howell"
said l, sympathetically. ''She need
never know"
He bounded from his seat, his eyes
blaZcd like madman's, and he turned
upon me with d naughty rage that l
had never seen eouaIed. not even ON
the stage.
.'For what do you take me, sir?"
he cried, his a>hy lips nov fairly 1uiv-
ering III this n!n $ guilty. 50
help me God. we're be even i prince
Of the realm. my own hand should
blow his brains out sooner than make
my beloved sister the wife of Il das-
tardly thief. Step into my private
room, Mr.. Carbon. | Will send for
him You must face him before rue,
and make your accusation good, or
take the consequences. -
clark you. Mr. Howell" I said;
Il see you are a high-tempered, de-
termincd man, and want you to un--
derstand that l am another | will
face your honorable gentleman. and
make my charge in my own way.
He may deny it. and convince you,
that his word is better than mine:
bat mark this: If he does deny it,
and YOU accept his denial. / swear to
have him arrested tor felony. and all
the facts publicly exposed from. first
ts Last
Il accept the conditions" he'said:
aud he at once conducted me to, his
private apartment in which stood the
safe that his trenG had opened 20 rob
haa.
\ servant was dispatched for God
frsy Percy, and in Il few moments he
made bis appearance, looking quite
uncOncerned- had arranged tc have
appeared without my disguise, the
y3ung gentleman did not know me.
lis glanced al the two Of us inquir-
ingly. nat did not keep him i2,Su>-
psnse. Stepping up to him l placed
ziN hand rather roughly upoa, his
shoulder and said, with sharp Sc
verify
a,0dfreY Percy. | arrest Yen for
stealing NOur friends diamond ring,
and pawnng it at Isaac J;cob'>.
You will at once accompany me to
the office ST u magistrate, ana con-
front the witnesses.
He turned as white As death. threw
up ais hands, and then fell doNn on
his knees and begged for mercy.
For Gods sake, spare me-" he
prayed. Spare me. oh. fer Gods
sake, spare me. 1t was the first and
ONLY time l had ever done such Il
wicked thing | wanted d, certain
sum OF money, and was too proud TO
4
George, George, my dearest friend,
! for the love Of holy Heaven, inter.
cede with this officer. and. save me
| from public disgrace and utter ruin"
You did take my diamond ring,
them" said George Howell in quiet.
even tone of voice, that quite sur
prised me by its natural calmness.
i ''Oh, yes. ! confess Ii. :"
"liOw did YOU open my safc''
Il watched you one 0ay when yal
were working the combination, and
was able to make it cut. That theT
became my temptation.
but the ring was also locked il
the iron box
"YOu had Il duplicate key. to thai
which was in another drawer thai
was not locked. Oh, my dear, dea
friend GcOIge--'
'Cal! me Mr., Howell, and leave of
the trienI," calmly interrupted tn,
other "Godirev Percy, you were t,
have been married to my sister to
morrow. Only think Of the disgrace
which she, Howell, has escape,
, from YOU, Percy. In only anothe
twcnty-four hours she would hav
been the wife Of a sneak thief. ! al
really grateful to the Providence tina
. has saved her from that abyss an
r myself from murder, for l shout
have killed YOU. You must go ava
now, without saying a parting wor
, to any soul in this dwelling. | Civ
! you twcnty-four hours the start.
after that time any police office
sheriff. or constable can find you o
American soil. l swear. before hig
Heaven, / Will never rest till til
iron gate of oar state prison h1
bolted You in. a loathSome felor
:, One word more from YOU, and l wi
do it now This is all. CO.
He pointed his finger ilnperiou>l
toward the door. and the condemne
). cuprlt in silence arose from his kne,
e and skunk OFT Of sight. That ";
T the last | ever saw or heard OF hin
George Howell then cooiIy opent
his e,critoire, drew me a check Il