The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-01-19

himself IL 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
he 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 mir
srored 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 journey down the river and t.
secure the treasure for safe transporta
ton There was a look Of cunning
triumph on his face as he completed hia
preparations He was thinking Of tho
surprise awaiting Tom, who had been
fool enough to believe in human
friendship.
He made a cautious step toward ths
door of the shack, when a slight noise
real or fancled. caused him to etanct,
back over his shoulder The next in
slant the bag of gold crashed to thu
hoor. while Billy sank On his knees. al.
though telled by blow. Tom was sit
ting bolt upright in bed. his revolver
|sleveled at ,Billy's heart
The two gazed at each other IL mo.
ment in utter silence. Billy's eyes, fix
nj $50 I'll ~ # ftos,r,, il,
scanned the old mans face and read
there reproach and pity rather than q
thirst for swift revenge. This some
what treasured him. and he rose to hi,
feet. .. -'*~
"Well," he said bluntly, "what d,
you intend to do:'.
''So." said Tom with a long breath
~ wuz mistook i'll you after ak IT,
think that gave you my friendship ali
you want worth it What be golnE
to do? What do naen usu lily do when !.
pardner turns thief
"You wouldn shoot me. Tom?'
"Why not: Mems been killed fer
| less IAN this, an the world wuz we'll
rid Of 'em. -.
Then it did mean death
AS Billy realized this his face tnrr.'
ashen pale. while a palsying terros
struck through him. rending his bra
vado mask and revealing him as, tbs
,pitiable bastard he was. He cowere.
before the old man, pleading hyseeric
ally.
''Oh. spare me. spare me- Tom Y o.,
said you cared nothin for gold, whi.
IL was mad with love of it. 1t is; IL ,
god-my heaven-my everything Blu
take it, take it all-only give me MY
ife-Tonl-I-l-can 't-iie.
| ''Git up commanded the other
coldly Don't make me despise yor
worse'n | do What would you do
| you wuzr i'll Ey place: Shout wouldn
| you? You'd kill me now it you hatl Ii.
chance.
"But think, Tom, what life means t.
me. I'm young and
''Think What friendship meant t,
me, Billy. I'm old.
| In the nomentary silence that follow
ed the pines and the river .ould b.
heard singing their old, old song, I'm
needing of the strife of mortals Tor {
scrap of the treasure they guarded
Tom heard the song, and his bitterness
seemed to- 20 out with the weird melo
dy The hand that held the weapon
dropped list:essly to his side
''I'll spar yer life. he said hoarse
~. '''.You kin go.
Billy stood a moment as though h,
had not heard.
Eyer free Cor said Tom. 4
The boy glanced from the old man t.
the bag of gold and then turned stowl,
toward the doorway
"You better take yer pile now, - salt
Tom quietly. las reckon you won
be comm back
'Do you mean it?' gasped Billy
Certainly. Half's yourn, amt it
There only one thief in this camp, al
it amt me.
Tom proceeded to open the bag ant
roughly divided the contents
"You eau take the boat; that goe
with your half AS fer me, "" he adde.
in voice that wavered in spite Of him
self, I'm Go what I'd "a done ifSyou'
"a robbed ME I'll stay awhile Ionge
with the mountains an the river
They're uncertain sometimes. an some
times they re dangerous. but mostwis
they re better II men,
Billy vaguely appreciated the natur
of the man with whom he was dealing
yet he felt that such nobleness require,
some acknowledgment. He sprang for
ward and tried to grasp the old man :
hand.
mo no-not that cried Ton
fiercely. Don't touch me. The gold i
yourn. Take it an go. But go quickly
Billy-fer God knows-I'm only hu
man. ''-Leavenworth Macnab in Argo
| nane