The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-09-07

Mefcllessiy ne would engage Ill the
war for wealth. His heart must know
but one love--the love of gold.
And the stakel II was not SO much
after all. If he only had Toms share,
tool The thought startled him, and
he looked furtively about as though
already under surveillance. Well,
why not? The old man cared nothing
for gold-he had said as much. Why
not begin the task of wealth gather
ing tonight, and double his fortune by
n single coup? The skiff was all ready
for the morrow's journey down the
river. He could easily reach North
Fork by daylight, and miles of dis
tance would lie between him and Tom
before the latter could make the trip
across the almost impossible mountain
trail. He weakened for moment as
he thought of Toms almost motherly
solicitude-of how throughout their
wanderings the big-hearted miner had
borne the brunt of the struggle. Even
when the treasure was discovered the
old mans first words were: 'T'm glad
for your sake, Billy" Then lie asked
himself if he, too, was growing senti-
mental, and tonight, of all nights, ON
the very eve of battle.
He walked back to the house. Tom
was fast asleep. The Pickering light
of the lantern fell aslant the corner
where lie lay, his powerful form half
swathed in the tattered blankets, his
brawny arms thrown above his head.
The face, from which sleep seemed to
have smoothed away the deep burrows,
mirrored the rugged honesty of his
heart But the touching picture meant
nothing to Billy, who watched the
sleeper for an instant, and then pro-
ceeded to put his cowardly scheme
into effect. 1t was but the work of a
few minutes to gather together the
things necessary for the short journey
down the river, and to secure the
treasure for safe transportation. There
was look of cunning triumph on his
face as he completed his preparations.
He was thinking of the surprise await
ing Tom, who had been 'fool enough
to believe in human friendship"
He made cautious step toward the
door of the shack, when slight noise,
real or fancied, caused him to glance
back over his shoulder. The next in
slant the bag Of gold crashed to the
floor, while Billy sank on his knees as
though felled by blow. Tom was
sitting bolt upright in bed, his revolver
leveled at Billy's heart.
The two gazed at each other in
utter silence. Billy's eyes, fixed with
the penetration born of despair,
scanned the old mans face, and
read there reproach and pity, rather
than thirst for swift revenge. This
somewhat reassured him, and he rose
to his feet.
"Well," he said, bluntly, "what do
You intend to do?''
$780," said Tom, with long breath,
II wuz mistook in you, after all. To
think that ! give you my friendship
an you want worth it. What be l
going to do? What do men usu'lly do
when 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 turned
ashen pale, while a palsying terror
struck through him, rending his
bravado mask and revealing him as
the pitiable bastard he was. He
covered before the old man, pleading
Historically.
'Oh, spare me, spare me, Tom. You
said you cared nothing for gold, while
II was mad with love of it. 1t is
my god-my heaven-my everything.
But take it, take it all-only give me
my life e-Tom-I-I--can't-die."
"Git up" commanded the other,
coldly, 'don't make me despise YOU
worse'n do. What would you do if
you wuz in my place? Shoot, wouldn't
you9 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 meant to
me, Billy. I'm old"
In the momentary silence that
followed, the pines and the river
could be heard singing their old, old
song, unheeding of the strife of NOR
'"'o ioi " oCItp VI inc treasure tney
guarded. Tom heard the song, and
his bitterness seemed to go out with
the weird melody. The hand that held
the weapon dropped listlessly to his
side.
"I'll spar yer life, "he said hoarsely;
"you kin 60"
Billy stood n moment as though he
had not heard.
'Yer free. Col" said Tom.
The boy glanced from the old man
to the bag OF gold, and then turned
slowly toward the doorway.
"You better take yer pile now,"
said Tom, quietly, ''as I reckon you
won't be comm back"
DO You mean it?" gasped Billy.
Certainly; half's yourn, amt itP
There's only one thief in this camp,
ant amt me-"
Tom proceeded to open the bag, and
roughly divided the contents.
"You can take the boat, that goes
with vOur half Aa far ma ~ he odIo1