The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1894-05-11
A FORSAKEN DUTY.

81 won't be able to drive the stage to-
morrow, Lou?"
''Why not, Tom ?''
A faint tinge OF color flew to Tom Car
Inns cheek.
81 want to go down to Jimtown tomor-
row on business. I'm going to take the
morning train"
E'What business ?''
''That's my affair, Lou, and don't you
ask any questions he answered gruf1y.
The girl at the other side of the room
came to her brothers side and laid hand
on his shoulder.
''Fm afraid, Tom," she murmured,
sadly.
Afraid of what?'
"Afraid that those rough men you have
been taking up with lately will lead you
into trouble. You are going to Jimtown
with them-I know it. Oh, Tom, don't go.
For my sake, Tom
She placed an arm around his neck and
looked pleadingly into his eyes.
He hesitated moment and then started
to his feet, throwing her from him.
'Don't make fool of yourself, Lou. Pm
going to Bismark in the morning and that
settles it,
81 thought it was to JimtOwn."
swell, Jimtown, Them
"YOu ought to be here, Tom. attending
to business. Don't you know that Henry
Gordon is going north tomorrow morning
with Sic, 900 for the bank at Sykeston ?''
''Of course I know it." replied Tom, a
strange glitter in his eye. "The more fool
he for not taking the train and going
around by way of Jimtown instead of
carrying that amount of money across the
country
''The money must be in the hands of the
bank by tomorrow afternoon returned
the girl. ''If he goes by train, via Jimtown
he won't reach Sykeston before midnight"
'sWell, it's none of my affair." muttered
Tom: 81 wonder who L can get to run the
stage for me?''
81 will, Tom"
He started for>, ard impetuously.
mo, no, LOu-nOt your he cried. ''Not
you, anyone but you! Promise me you
won't run the stager'
His words were wild; his looks pleading.
She drew herself up a tritle sternly.
''If you forsake your duty when you are
needed most, it dSvolves upon me, who
love you and care for your reputation, to
step into your shoes and do the work you
fail to perform. shall run the stager'
He turned his back to her and walked
toward the door. There he paused the
spirit of good striving within his breast to
overcome the spirit of evil. But the strife
was in vain. He faced her once more with
a cruel laugh.
81 see through your scheme, Lou. You're
setting your cap at this Gordon-you'r re
afraid he'll get into trouble with that $751;
600 of his-ha, ha, ha! That talk about
your brother is all very fine, but it won't
wash. Pm off for Jimtown, anyway.
Good bye, LOur'
Waiting for no parting word from his
pale-faced sister, Tom Carlin passed out of
the house.
Half an hour afterward a knock fell
upon the door of the little shack where
Tom Carlin, the stage-driver, and his sister
lived.
was answered.
Lou at once threw open the door, and
when she saw who the caller was would
have given the world had her eyes held
fewer traces of tears recently she'd.
''Come in, Henry" she said.
A young man with a handsome, resolute
face stepped into the room and caught her
hand.
''Good evening, LOU said he, and then,
noticing her red and downcast eyes, he
would have said something further but
stopped himself with an effort that was al
most sigh.
"Pardon me for calling at this unseemIy
hour. Lou, but wished to talk with Tom.
Ishe herer'
She shook her head mutely.
"rhere are two or three desperate-Iook-
ing strangers in town, and came to ask
your brother if he thought there would be
any danger in my taking that money north
tomorrow. Do not think me cowardly,
Lou; it is not my own money, you KNOW
should feel differently if it were otherwise
There is not the slightest danger,
Henry, she replied. .sTom is not here. so
will answer for him.
'.Thank you, he returned. you have
treasured me, but
He paused.
But what p she asked.
Nothing, . he returned, catching her