Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-09-01

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growing sentimental, ana tonight, Of
oil nights, on the very eve OF battle.
He walked back to the house. Ion
was fast asleep. The Pickering light
of the lantern fell aslant the corner
where he lay, his powerful form halt
swathed in the battered blankets, his
brawny arms thrown above his head.
The face, from which sleep seemed to
have smoothed away the deep fur.
rows, mirrorel the rugged honesty OF
his heart. but the touching picture
meant nothing to Billy. who watched
the sleeper for an instant and then
proceeded to put his cowardly scheme
into effect. 1t was but the work OF
few minutes to gather together the
things necessary for the short jour-
ney down the river and to secure the
treasure for safe transportation.
There was look OF cunning triumph
on ms face as he completed his prep.
arations. He was thinking of the
surprise awaiting Tom, who had been
fool enough to believe in human
friendship"
he made cautious step toward the
door of the shack, when a slight
noise, real or fancied, caused him to
glance back over his shoulder. The
next instant the bag of gold crashed
to the floor, while lilly sank on his
knees, as though felled by blow.
Tom was sitting upright in bed, his
revolver leveled at Billy's heart.
The two gazed at each other mo-
ment in utteS silence. Billys eyes,
fixed with the penetration born OF de-
spair, scanned the old man face and
read there reproach and pity, rather
than thirst for swift revenge. This
somewhat treasured him, and he rose
to his feet.
"Well," he said bluntly, what do
you intend to do?"
49," said Tom, with long breath,
II wuz mistook in you, after all. 10
think that give you my friendship
an you want worth it. What be l
goin' to do? What do men usu'lly do
when a pardner turns theft"
"You wouldn't shoot me, Tom?"
"Why not? Mems been killed fer
less an this, an the world wuz we'll
red of EN-"
Then it did mean death.
AS Billy realized this his face turn
ed ashen pale, while a palsying terror
struck through HIM, rending his BRAY.
ado mask and revealing him as the
pitiable bastard he was. He covered
before the old man, pleading hyster-
ically.
"Oh, spare me, spare me, Tom. You
said you cared nothing for gold, while
II was mad with love for II. 1t Is
my god-my heaven-my everything.
But take it. take it all-only give me
my life-Tom-l-I-cant die"
cit up commanded the other,
coldly; don't make me despise you
worse'n | do. What would you do il
you WIZ in my place? Shoot, wouldn't
you? You'd kill me now If you had
the chance"
But think, Tom, what life means
to me; I'm young, and"
Think what friendship means to
me. Billy. Pm DID,"
In the momeniary silence that fol-
lowed the pines and the river could
be heard singing their old song, UNI
needing of the strife of mortals for
a scrap OF the treasure they guarded.
Tom heard the song, ana his bitter
ness seemed to 60 out with the weird
melody. The hand that held the weap-
on dropped listlessIy to his side
an spar yer llte,' he said, hoarse-
ly; you kin co.
Billy stood a moment as though he
had not heard.
Eyer free. Col" said Tom.
The boy glanced from the old man
to the bag Of gold, and then turned
slowly from the doorway.
"You better take yer pile now"
said Tom, quietly, 'as reckon you
won't be comm back.
"Do you mean it," gasped lhlly.
Certainly; haf's yourn, amt t?"
There's only one thief in this camp
AMT amt me-"
Tom proceeded to open the bag,
and roughly divided the contents.
"You can take the boat; that goes
with your half, As Ier me-" he add
ed, in voice that wavered in spite
Of himself, "l'll do what I'd a done II
you'd "a robbed me. ri stay awhile
longer with the mountains an the
river. They're uncertain sometimes,
an sometimes they're dangerous, but
mostwise they're better'n men,"
Billy vaguely appreciated the ma.
ture of the man with whom he was
dealing yet he felt that such noble
ness required some acknowledgement.
He sprang forward and tried to grasp
the old mans hand.
NO, no-not that! That gold 10
yourn. Take 1t and CO. But go quick
", Billy--fer God knows-l'm only
human. "-Leavenworth Macnab, In
the Argonaut.
HAesans G1nalsssanu