The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-31

told Of his lie on Long mountain with
his old father; of his counting of Willie
Godfrey: of the young girls loyalty,
and of her fathers contempt for the son
of mountaineer. 1.-The valley folks
don't marry with we uns, mr. we uns
with them, though reckon they amt
no law 'gainst hit, y he said in explana-
ton, and Jaffray agreed with him.
When Layne came home, a few words
explained the situation, and the farmers
hospitality was broad enough to cover
not only his friends friend, but in this
case his friends prisoner. The inspector
unmanacled LATE when they went in TO
supper, but he put the handouts on
again hfterward, and when the early
bedtime of the family came he led the
young mountaineer into the porch bed
room and took additional precaution of
swapping another set of irons on his
ankles.
mot very pleasant for you, my boy"
he said, "but I can't help it. mustn't
give you chance to slip through my
fingers =
After, which the inspector went back
to his chair ON the, porch, where he
smoked many cigars and communed
with himself for want Of better listen
er. ONCE his reflections slipped into
speech: lit all goes back to the Same
thing III the end. We've got no manner
Of right to take o man who has never
been taught the lesson of responsibility
Ii, To- rr-1,o l,, ko, fn
rub up against temptation every day.
That the long and short Of it. just tho
same fwish l might have given this
youngster shock without catching
him. That might have been the making
of him, but this is going to ruin him
world without end. :"
At 10 o'clock the inspector had seri-
ous thoughts of turning in, but before
the inclination gathered force enough
to overcome the inertia of tho tilted
chair there came q Gathering Of
horses hoofs ON the loose single Of tho
Gap road. The rider dismounted at
Layne's gate, ard the inspector lighted
fresh cigar when he saw tho figure of
woman coming up the path toward
the house.
'"This is tho girl in the case of
course, u he muttered. "Now, how the
devil did she find out?''
In another moment she stood before
him, and though the cigar was burning
we'll enough he mado it the excuse to
strike another match, in the brief flare
of which he got glimpse of pair Of
flashing eyes set in face whereon grief
and Init 60. fl,a-
you're Mr.. Jaffray, amt your she
began.
Eyes, and you are Willie Godfrey.
Sit down, Miss Godfrey"
She dropped into chair as if thank
full for the permission. ST reckon you
know what I've come for. 1 heard you
all had taken Lafo Anderson for rob-
bin the mail, and''-
pardon me, Miss Godfrey" inter
rupted the inspector. "How did you find
that out?''
"Bad news don't wait for an OK team.
heard about it, and I've come 23 miles
on that hawss to keep you all from car
ryin an innocent man to Jail. LATE
new did take anything that didn't be-
long to him, Mr.. Jaffray.P
The inspector smoked in silence for
full minute. Surprising were to tell
you that he has confessed?"
at don't make any difference. He
amt the thief"
"Thcn why should he say he WASP"
"Cayn't you see? He just told you a
heap Of lies to cover up the real one.
"And who is the real one, Miss God
frey?"
81 am.''
It was well for tho girls peace of
mind that she could not see the inefface-