Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25


my father. But the brother continued to
linger, though his hour was surely near
Just after hearing, one day, that his broth
II could not survive another night nv
rather saw grand opportunity to invest
hve thousand dollars. The return would be
quick. He would use the banks money
and: even should the investment fail, he
could soon replace the amount from his
brothers estate. The investment was made
and lost-and the brother grew better In
despair father came to me. / thought
OF mother and sister when | told him that
L would risk everything to save him. In
the express Office, during the tobacco sea-
son, there was constantly large amount
OF money IN the companys safe l would
take five thousand dollars and wait for the
brother to die. Well. | took that amount
and father was saved. But the brother
continued to improve. And it was drawing
near the time when might expect call
from the company's Inspector. L had no
means of raising the money! was not in
Venuve, SO l was forced to resort to an old
trick l blew open the safe and knocked
myself senseiess with an iron bar There
was money scattered all about the room
when the town officer and the night watch
man rushed in, ard the supposition was
that the robbers were too much frightened
to gather it up; and when investigation
was made it was discovered that but five
thousand dollars We're missing. And the
day after l was arrested the brother died
Rather came, heart-broken, to see me the
day you We're put in here, and his plan was
TO buy OFT the express company, but |
urged him not to attempt it, knowing that
they would rather send man to the peni-
tertiary than to compromise for twice that
amount of money. But We're agreed on
one point, that, no matter what done
with me, the money should be mysterousy
retul1 ed. Rather and yourself are the only
ones that know the truth. Mother and sis
ter will always believe me innocent. 1 have
one strong hope" he went on, after short
pause, Il don't think that the doctor who
examined me is prescriptions, and, if
ar IN iply hot iOhf
buy him. You see, am determined to take
every advantage that thief's shrewdness
can suggest. 1 may deserve to go to the
penitentiary, but 1 am not enough of
Christian to suffer willingly. There, the
candies gone.
1 lay down to think. 1 had won my
fight and my reward was sure.
What do you Think Of it all?" he asked
when l bad thought that he must be
asleep
"a sad case" I answered, plying his
frailty. The son had Inherited the weak
ness Of the father
"And de- you think that if we buy the
doctor they can convict me? The fact is,
did hit myself a terrific blow"
"They will if they cam" / answered
II know that Good night" he added, Il
think cal sleep now"
Long before day 1 was up and dressed,
with few words scrubbed to the superin-
tendent, asking to be released at once; and
when the fat jailer came l gave him the
note.
During the day we talked Of books,
though with a lessened il terest on my
part.
You don't appear to be WELL" he said.
Breeding has worn my spirits away" 1
answered.
But you shouldn't lose hope. Something
tells me that before long we shall be to-
gether, free and happy, ready to serve
man because we have violated his laws.
We will go out west, where generosity
gilds fault, and live buoyant life: And
now, even If we are condemned, let us
promise to join each other after our time
Is served. Will you promise that?"
Give me your hand,
We shook hands, and he walked up and
down the cell, with a smile parting his
lips. u
II think more of you than any fellow I
ever met, Dick. In fact, you are the only
real companion l have ever known. You
stimulate my mind-make me feel that l
can do good In the world. ! hope they
won't separate us-hope that if they send
us to prison they will send us together. 1t
is awful to be companionless. Dick, you
don't look we'll. You mustn't get Ill, but II
you do I'll nurse you-they mustn't take
you out of here
The fat jailer appeared. 81 have piece
Of news" he said. "The doctor has been
called out of town for a few. days, and the
grand jury will skip your case. Haines, I'M
til he comes back. So you'll have few
grand jury, Haires, and told him to treat
you like blooded boss, and If he can
make up his mind to do that you are all
right. But I haven't got such good news
for you." he added. speaking to me: and
Haines wheeled about and looked at him.
What about me2' asked,
We'll. they are goin' to take you over
into Casper county"
'Nor' Haines cried, grasping my arm.
That's the ORDERS" said the Taller. T
told them that they'd better let him stay
little longer now that he'd got 30 we'll az
quainted and so well liked, but they lowed,
they did. that they believed not-said that
possibly he mout come ag'in after the crops
was laid by"
Don't tantalize him." cried, alarmed
at the poor fellows distress.
BLESS you, I don't want to worry him.
on"
Haines gave me his hand; his lips were
trembling. He said not word, but as I
passed out he gave me quick look, and