Morris tribune., 1896-03-25

| not 20 meuCIOn Tie pOSIGlN0 Hdrm tlldL
jail life might have done you in the
meanwhile; people would never forget
that you had worn the stripes, though
they might easily forget whether or, not
you had deserved to wear them. But
come back with a fortune-come back
after having made respectable name
for yourself in another part of the world
or after having simply lived in free
dom instead of in bondage and in the
society of thieves-and, trust me, you
will never regret it! This is not mat
ter to be treated on sentimental grounds;
it is a serious thing quite as serious as a
1 question of life and death to you. You
are innocent, and you have right to
your freedom; that's the case in nut
shell. Don't throw away your whole
career for a figure of speech!''
| This was powerful appeal, and it lost
! nothing by Martins delivery. 1t pro-
I duced an evident impression on Percy.
'If were certain that should be con-
victed," he muttered. half to himself.
| "You may fairly take that for grant
! ed" said Martin. "When there has been
crime, there must be provided Grim
inal; that is the legal maxim, and in de-
| fault of better you will have to bear
the brunt."
1T is not myself, only, that is to be
considered, VAL; my mother and sister
are quite as important"
81 don't deny it; it's a part of my argu-
ment. You said this afternoon that you
did not intend to see them again until
after you were indicated. Did you mean
what you said?''
Certainly did,"
Il think you were right in your de-
cision, for more reasons than one But
if you remain in New York you will not
be able to keep your resolution. If you
don't go to them they will come to you.
But if you are thousand or two thou
sand miles away you will have no such
embarrassment And that isn't all, my
boy. If you were put in Jail it would be
a bad thing for you, but it would simply
kill your mother outright and ruin your
sisters prospects as effectually as your
own. Whereas, if you go off with me,
you and can keep up correspondence
with them and explain exactly how the
case stands They can watch your career
step by step, and the knowledge that
they are doing SO will give you the strong
est stimulus to succeed that you could
have Meanwhile they will be watching
the progress of affairs here, and as soon
as anything turns up in your favor they
can let you know and you can act &C.
cordingly. If there were no other reason
for jumping your bail, consideration for
your mother and sister would be enough"
This suggestion practically decided
Percy. Il believe you are right" said
he; 'but don't see what right have to
let you pay all my liabilities. You and
have been friends, VAL, but l have never
done anything for you, and | have no
prospect of repaying you for what you
propose to do, for me.
you will owe me less than you sup
pose, Valentine replied. "In the first
place, my money is no use to me; if |
didn't spend it for you, it would go into
the pockets of the tradesmen and bum
mers of New York In the second place,
l want your company; we suit each
other, and that is not thing that hap
pens every day. But the real truth is
l have never spoken to you about it, al
though you may have guessed something
for aught | know-the truth is that am
a good deal influenced in what | am
doing by the fact that you are Pauline
Nolen's brother"
"Ah! You care for her, them
Yes, care for her. She is the dear |
est friend have in the world, and for |
her sake would do most things. But
she can never be more than my friend, |
and l can do very little
IF you want to marry her, l am sure
she"-
Valentine interrupted him with a gest-
ure. 1T can never come to a question
of that, said he; Il am married already"
"You are married man! Does Pauline /
know it?'
Il told her this morning. It's long
story, and you shall hear it another time
if you want to- | married in haste, and
am likely to have plenty Of leisure to re-
pent. Well, you can imagine that moth
ing could please me SO much as serving
her in any way can, and l know that
no better way is open to me than to give
a helping hand to you. So, if you agree
to join me, you will be doing me the best
kindness that one man can do another
it is not to be measured in time, or
money, or anything else. Ny prospects,
as you may suppose, are not especially
cheerful at the best; but whatever good
comes to me will be from the thought
that am of some good to Pauline's
brother. / can't live with her, or see her
any longer; but can live with you, and
that's the next best thing, not to men
ton that you are tolerably good company
on your own account" He ended with
a laugh.
Its very kind Of you to put it in that
way, old fellow" said Percy, in a some
what unsteady tone. ''Well, I'll go with
you. have been a drug in the market
so far, and I won't make any promises:
but don't think you'll find me volun-
tary drag on you, at all events. Have
you any definite plans?'
II have thousand; we have only to
nick and choose " Valentine renliad