Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-02-28

ed by an unusual interest In You, and
4 bad report win be better than suE
pense."
Pietro saw the justice Of her argu
ment and allowed himself to be guided
by her counsel, hut in the letter thai
was forthcoming he did not ask fol
the gold ring.
Day by day the friendship between
Billings wife and his side partner was
strengthened.
81 had a boy once Of my own" she
told Pietro. "If he had lived he would
have been just your age. Somehow
you kind of take up the place In my
heart. which used to think he would
ill. You're a new conscience for me.
you may call me mother If you like"
And Pletro did.
If he was conscience for her, her ap
parently rough personality took on tne
same subtle essence in regard to him
self. PLANT though he was outwardly
to the dictates of his commander, the
boys soul continually rebelled against
acts Of grossness and injustice In
which he was compelled to take part.
Up to a certain point there was
strange fascination in the life he LED,
but beyond that limit his better self
asserted itself and cried out for release
from such bondage. At those times
he vowed he would leave and lead Q
clean life, or sink honorably in the at
tempt, and daily Billings wife sought
to strengthen that resolve and urgeo
him to exercise his higher nature ana
begin life again. But months came
and went and still Pietro was known
on the levee and in the adjoining al
leys as Billings "side-partneE"
One day he got a letter from the
Blocker street news dealer. II shall
send YOU by express your gold ring"
he said. MAY it speak to you more
fervently than tongue or pen OF an olo
man can do"
night.
I'm going to leave you tomorrow"
he said abruptly, when Billings came
up stairs for supper.
Billings black eyes blazed up with
sudden anger. "And what for" ne
asked, pushing his wife back In the
corner and confronting the young Eel
low. who had dared to make an asser-
ton on his own account on a subject
in which Billings interests were 80
deeply involved.
All the boys courage was aroused
for instant action.
"Because I'm tired Of all this and
because l want to lead a decent lie,
which / can never do here-thats
why"
He looked at his employer unfinch-
ingly. Billings hesitated before an
swering.
You idiot" he cried at length, do
YOU think I've taken you in hand and
let YOU into all my secrets and trained
you and made you what have, only
to let you come or 60 at your own
sweet will? No, you're mine, body and
soul. If say stay stay you do. And
that's what 1 do say. Leave II you
dare"
His wife stepped toward him. Don't
drag him down any further, Biff," she
pleaded
$50 it's you who have been putting
him up to such tricks" he interrupted
with sneer. might have known L
couldn't trust you"
He seized her shoulder roughly but
before he could perpetuate any fur
Their violence, Pietro whose arm was
neryed with his newly made resolution
to do right at all hazards, loosened the
mans grasp and drew her toward him.
"It's not her fault" he said; Its all
my own doings. I'm sick Of sin, L tell
you"
In his rage Billings struck out wildly
before him. Perhaps the blow was
meant for his wife, perhaps for Piet-
70. perhaps it was merely a purpose
less expression of wrath, but its full
force rescended upon Pietro, who reel
ed back against the table and lay there
stunned and bleeding.
He died two days later. Conclusion
of the brain, the result Of a heavy
fall" was what the doctor reported to
the health department. He knew the
main facts of the case, as did score
of others, but Billings held the reins
of his popularity as firmly as ever and
no action was taken against him.
Billings kept up his reputation by
giving his side partner great funeral.
The woman who had gathered the
young man into her heart took the ring
which came the day Of the funeral and
put it on his finger.
whats thatp her husband asked,
coming in while she performed the Low.
ing service and catching a glimpse Of
the cleaning gold.
at was his Mothers" she cried, lay
ing her hand over the precious circlet
Don't you dare pollute it win your
touch"
Billings grunted and turned away.