The Bossier banner., 1894-06-07
A FORSAKEN DUTY.
But It Was Well Cared for by a
Brave Girl.

But It Was Well Cared for by a
Brave Girl
81 won't be able to drive the stage
tomorrow, Lou.
"Why not, Tom?'
A faint tinge of color few to Tom
Carlin's cheek.
81 want to go down to Jimtown to-
morrow on business. I'm going to take
the morning train"
What business?"
"That's my affair, Lou, and don't
YOU ask any questions, he answered
grufay.
The girl at the other side of the room
came to her brothers side and laid
hand on his shoulder.
'rm 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 il. Oh,
Tom, don't go. For my sake, Tom
She placed an arm around his neck
and looked pleadingIy into his eyes.
He hesitated moment and then
started to his feet, throwing her from
him.
eDon't make fool of yourself, Lou.
Pm going to Bismarck in the morning
and that settles it,
"Ethought it was to Jimtown."
"Well, Jimtown, then"
"You ought to be here, Tom, attend
ing to business. Don't you know that
Henry Gordon is going north to-mor-
row morning with fifteen thousand
dollars for the bank at Sykeston?"
"Of course 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 country"
THE money must be in the hands of
the bank by tomorrow afternoon" re-
turned the girl. ''If he goes by train,
via Jimtown, he won't reach Sykeston
before midnight"
well, it's none of my affair."" NUT
tered Tom; II wonder who / can get to
run the stage for me?"
II will, Tom"
He started forward impetuously. ..
mo, no, Lou-not your he cried.
Not you, anyone but you! Promise
me you won't run the stage!''
His words were wild; his looks plead
Ing.
She drew herself up trife sternly.
If you forsake your duty when you
are needed most, it devolves upon me,
who love you and care for your reputa-
ton, to step into your shoes and do the
work you fail to perform. 1 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.
de faced her once more with a cruel
laugh.
i see through your scheme, Lou.
You're setting your cap at this Gordon
you're afraid he'll get into trouble
with that fifteen thousand dollars OF
his-ha, ha, ha! That talk about your
brother is all very fine, but it won't
wash. fm off for Jim:own, anyway.
6ood-by. Lour'
waiting for no parting word from his
pale-faced sister, Tom Carlin passed
out of the house.
half an hour afterward knock fell
upon the door of the little shack
"here Tom Carlin, the stage-driver,
and his sister lived.
Inc knock was twice repeated before
was answered.
Lou at once threw open the door, and
"nen she saw who the caller was would
aaVe given the world had her eyes held
'eMer we traces ef tears recently shed.
Tome in, Henry" she said.
young man with handsome, reso
nte lace stepped into the room and
caught her hand.
woodworking, LOU" said he, and
men, noticing her red and downcast
syes, ne would have said something
'arther but stopped himself with al
mort that was almost a sigh.
eoA me Tor calling at this un
seemiy hour, Lou, but wished to tall
with Tom Is he here?"
sne s. shook her head mutely
mere are two or three desperate
ooAing strangers in town, and cam,
= ssk your brother if he thought ther,
mouio De any danger in my taking tina
money north tomorrow. Do not thinl
Ie cowardly, Lou; it is not my owl
Icy, you know-I should feel differ
en.ly II it were otherwise"
mere is not the slightest danger
snfy. she replied. tom is not here
% Nv will answer for him."
aaaak you." he returned. "Yo
sess seassarsd me, butt