The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-15

fOun0 on the bureau ana vigorously
combed his hair with it From sandy
brown his head quickly became an intense
black. Then hunting up his fathers
razor. which he knew kept in that
room, he eedlly removed his red NOUS
tache and goatee While doing this be
fore the mirror, he noticed mis- eyebrows
and carefully blackened them. Last OF
all he put q false black beard, which he
drew from one of mis- pockets, upon his
chin.
His father. returning with roll IF bank
notes In his hand, started with surprise at
sight of Silas transformation, and the
look of disgust deepened on his face; but
he made no remark upon 1t and Silss
wasted no time in Offering any explana-
ton. Greedily the young man clutched
the pile of money that was silently ex-
tended to him, saying as he did so:
If that friend of mine from Boston
turns up again try to keep him hanging
around here for lew days. if you can. and
don't tell any BODY that I've been here.
And now I'll be off.
DO you wish TO see your mother"
"No. It's no use She needn't know
I've been here. She'd be sure to chatter
about it, Women are never to be
trusted"
How are you goinG?"
The way ! came"
Through the Window"
yes"
"Why2"
"Well, it's the most direct road to the
boat I've left lying in the cove. and | don't
care about going out at the front door,
which my dear friend from Boston, if he's
the man | think he Is, will probably be
watching at this moment"
~
die to extinguish it.
stop said the old man. Before you
go ! have a few words to say to YOU. This
may be the last time ! shall ever see YOU.
l am almost tempted TO saw that hope it
NAV be. for fear | may next have to see
you in felon's cell, or perhaps on the
"a lows. as can only expect a dark and
terrible late for you. | have done all that
lay in my power TO make a decent man of
you, aud what are YOU? hunted fugi-
tive, disguised TO evade an officer who
seeks TO arrest YOU for some crime. for
such / understand now to be the mission
OF the man VINO las beep here inquiring
for you. Now. | never want you to come
back here, or remind me OF your existence
until you can DO 80 in open day, with a
clear conscience and without fear OF anv
man. [ have given yon these 500, and
its al you'll ever get from me, alive or
dead. ii your life does not entirely change
Nor viii you ever be able to squeeze any
hush-mOney from me again. | Struggled,
because | was eager 10 amass money to
leave to my SON 1 will never do so anv
more That source of income gone will
still leave me enough for nv lifetime.
which will bs sufficient. since l have no
hope OF you; but / will have none to
waste on criminal prohigste-nOt an
other do lar. I'm not a poor man, it is
true, but neither am I rich one, with
thousands that | don't know what to do
with, like the Van Deusts Ali have"
Like the Van Deusts?" interrupted
Sllas. Have they got so much money!"
"All | have" continued the old man
without noticing the interruption. has
been gained By hard WORK ami risk, and
you have squsndered viciously enough OF
my earnings"
Where did the Van Deusts get their
money?'
a distant relative left them fortune
of l don't know how many thousands.
But that is nothing to you Paw attention
to what ] am telling YOU. Hereafter YOU
will have TO provide for yourself Choose
your own way TO do it, but / warn YOU
that you will find an honest way the best.
1 did hope to see YOU marry Mary Wal
lace. She has a little money coming to
her, that / managed to get saved for her
out OF the wreck of har fathers estate. Of
which she knows nothing. | thought II
might as well BE- kept 10 the family. But
she lie a good gir end l can never again
have the tace to urge her 10 take the hand
OF my son until he proves 70 me that he is
worthy OF a decent mans or woman's re-
gard. And now there's your way Take
it, and 90.
No hard feelin's hope, dad" erowled
the young man sulienly, offering his hand
Hard feelings, no. Grief and shame.
yes. Go! AMI the best blessing | can
give you ls, may God save you from the
galows."
Siias shuddered, dropped the extended
hand which his father had not taken.
turned 10 the light and blew IL out. Then
he took down the blankets from the win
dow, carefully and noiselessly raised the
sash, junped out into the darkness aud
disappeared.
Uncle Thatcher stood for long time at
the window listening, waiting, fearing
but no unusua sound reached his ears.
The next morning ne found Silas' friend
from Boston already at the trying-Out
shed when he arrived there. although il
was yet only dawn; and leading him
little to one side, put 20 him the direct
question:
What did you wish to arrest my son
for?"
Mr. ketchum started slightly. looked
sharply at his questioner. and then as il
comprehending that, however the old
mans knowledge of his errand was oo-
tanned. further attempts at concealment
would be useless, replied, Burglary"