St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-06-23
A FORSAKEN DUTY.

"A tUkSAhEN UUl1.
But It Was Well Cared for by. q
!. Brave Girl
II won't be able to drive the stage
tomorrow, Lou"
"Why not, TomT'
A faint tinge Of color few, to Tom
Carlin's cheek.
Il want to 60 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 otherside of the room
came to her brothers side and laid
hand on his shoulder.
"rm afraid. Tom" she murmured,
sadly.
Afraid OF what?"
have been taking up with lately will
lead you into trouble. You are going
to Jimtown with them-1 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 mako fool of yourself, Lou.
I'm going to bismarck in the morning
and that settles it"
II thought 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,
. 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 Unknown, he won't reach Sykeston
before midnight"
well, it's none Of my affair."" NUT
tered Tom; II wonder who 1 can get to
run the stage for me?"
Il will. Tom"
He started forward impetuously.
mo, no, Lou-not youw hs 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 trifle sternly.
IF you forsake your duty when you
are needed most, 1t devolves upon me,
who love you and care for your reputa-
ton, to step into your shoes and do the
work you'fai 70 perform. l shall run
the STAGE,
He turned his back to her and
walked tQwerd. the door. There he
kpaNaed ,,fba. spirit of good striving
within his breast to overcome the spirit
Of evil. But the strife was in vain.
He faced lsen okce: more with a cruel
laugh. ....sssks
Il see thr0aKksyonr scheme; Lou.
You're setting your icap 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 I'm of for Jim:own, anyway.
0ood-by, Lou!'
Waiting for no parting word from his
pale-faced sister, Tom Carlin passed
out Of the house.
Halt an hour afterward knock fell
upon the door Of the little shack"
where Tom Carlin, the staRe-driver.
and his sister lived.
The knock was twice repeated before
It 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 shed.
''Come in, Henry" she said.
A young man with handsome, reso-
lutte face stepped into tho 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 almost . sigh.
Pardon me for calling at this un-
secmly hour, Lou, but I wished to talk
with Tom. Is he here?
She shook her head mutely.
"There are two or three desperate
looking strangers in town, and came
to ask your brother II 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-I should feel differ
>,><1,, - - xrorn o<hovwiso
There is not the slightest danger.
Nenry," she replied. TON il not here.
20 will answer for him"
THANK you," he returned. You
have treasured me, but"
He paused
but what?" she asked.
Nothing" he returned, catching her
hands and looking wistfully into her
face II shall have something to tell
you, Lou. when I come back from
Skyeston."
TELL me now"
Smiling, he shook his head. Bringing
her hand quickly to his lips he kissed
It, leaving her at once with an abrupt
s'Yood night"
"All aboard for Sykeston!
It was . woman's voice that spoke
the words Is four norses came dashing
UP to the Dawson house dragging the
Mouse river stage.
Four passengers came out OF the ho-
tel among them Henry Gordon. See
inR Lou Carlin ON the box he stopped
short, astounded.
sWhere's Tom. Lou7" he asked.
"Jimtown." she answered, briefly.
Gordon's face became grave.
ssWhen did he 0o?"