The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1897-04-09

Jack started up suddenly on his |
pillow.
"rhe remit 7 thought the people |
turned us ont OF this place Tor tho
rent is due, isn't so Tho rent,
you know ."
"Husb, Jack Lie down, You were
only dreaming"
"D,iu't you soy tho money was oil
gomez
81 have a little. Try not to DO so
nervous, Jack Go 10 sloop again"
ooh, dear, feel 20 strangel Aud
YOU are al tired out. Poor littlo
Tibbiel Stretch yourself on the
outside OF tho bed and try 30 rost 1
need nothing now. / can get the
water myself"
Tibbie glanced at tho clock. Il was
just seven OF the pleasant autumn
evening She was so weary Itwould
be- a relief 60 lio down, aud she would
not 90 90 sleep.
She stretched herself on the edge OF
the bed, aud land her slim, cool hngers
upon her husbands forehead. 10
breathod a sigh Of momeutary relief
How fast the days hew after that
until the one on which Jack seemed
TO be dyingl There was hardly any
pulse'at bis wrist, and the fever was
supplanted by a deadly pallor.
az am 80 faint, Tibbiei I could
take n cup Of cream, think, if it we're
cool and nice. i feel as if ! we're
starving"
II flashed over Tibbie that the fever
had turned, aud tho cool weakness
was a favorable sign. Jack could not
| lift a hand, but he turned his great,
hollow eyes toward the little stand.
There was not a particle Of food there
The Jelly he could not take she had
been forced to take TO keep herself
| from starving. She had eaten nothing
else for twenty four hours. The
room seemed 10 swim around. Jack
must have nourishment. Cream,
tender steak-he must have the best,
and at once, or he would die. And
for Jack TO die
She crept to window and looked
out upon the twinkling light There
was money enough. 1t was his right
to have what he needed. Uncle John
would come, but it would be too late
She stood there at the window, with
that terrible pain gnawing at her
heart, for a while longer. She be-
lieved she knew what many people in
such strait as hers did, and it did not
seem wrong. 1t was dangerous-but
Jack would die else, and it did not
seem wrong.
She turned toward the bed, at last,
Jack had fallen asleep, his poor, pale
face in shadow. She gave . dry sob
and wrung her hands. Then she set
her small, white teeth. and turned
silently to the next apartment.
Her husbands clothing was there
in a wardrobe-the suit he had
Invested himself OF when he lay down
upon the cruel bed he was to languish
SO long upon-his death bed, perhaps.
Not while she could preYent-at any
cost
Her face was white and set now, as
she removed part of her clothing and
dressed herself in her husbands.
Finally she drew the soft felt hat well
down over her features, and went out
into the night.
She threaded her way rapidly
through the lighted streets until she
entered one less frequented. There
was an archway in the shadow Of a
tree, ard here she stationed herself,
drawing we'll back into the shade.
Her eyes glittered as she observed
an occasional passer-by; there was
another glitter in her hand the han
die of a revolver.
This pure woman meditated rob
berry, murder. Why not? All the
other lives in the world were not
worth Jacks, to her? Money she
would have, even at the cost Of an.
others life-money, money
A man went by, burly fellow, roll
ing heavily passed IN safety She
waited for the next. There shutiled
by an invalid, poor and threadbare.
and coughing dolorously. Another,
lad who probably had not a sou.
1t was a long time before more pc
pestrians passed. Another big hulk
ing fellow; but they we're all alike
helpless under the power of revolver
But this one was not well-dressed.
By-and.by slight, spare gentle
man, wearing rich broadcoth cloak
came down the sidewalk. He had oil
orange in his hand; he paused an in
slant to throw the pairing in the gut
,, ter. He turned and looked into {
. pistols mouth.
"Money Your money or your life I
I Tibbie saw plainly his white, shockeC
3 face. She then felt pity for him, h
looked so alarmed aud i'll. He wa
I evidently a gentle and kindly man
, But he fumbled at his breast and too
/ out portmonnaie. 1t was well filled
She grssped it, deiriously, tri
Al q L