The Washington weekly post., 1899-11-14

from rattling he wrsr-ei his neckcloth
about it
He was weakly man. and his effort.
brought out dew OF swe1. upon his face.
But he struggled on. putting oat all his
strength. and az last he had made fis-
sure In one link large CROUCH 90 slip the
next link through. The chain was broken
He lay for a moment. trying to recover
bis breath without undue painting; then he
began 70 rise TO his feet when he was
erect he stooped and tested the weight
or the safe. II was too heavy for him
Il shall have 20 get Bob - help me-
after all" he whispered. within himself
he was angry at his faIsre. for he had
meant to dazzle his companion with his
| success With an III grace he turned to-
ward the door. And then he heard
sound from the bed-a sharp cick-thss
| stopped his heart He turned quickly.
startled. and net the wide eyes OF the man
upon the bed. Blue. bright eyes we're they,
humid from age and weakness. but afire
with courage and resolution. Jimmy ut
tered a sroan OF fear az he saw, outlined
against the white pillow on a level with
the hoary chin. the shining point OF a
revolver.
Don't shoot" he rasped
What are you doing here?' asked the
old man.
'Nufiakr' cried Jimmy. "Leastways.
won't DO nuffink II you only won't shoot
Put # down. sir"
The old man smiled grimly and pushed
down the bedclothes. He proiruded a
! muscular brown leg.
For Gods sake. let me 60" whIned
jimmy. Don't get me Jagged. I'm only
on this lay agin my better self. / was
born honest. sir, was, straight
BE quiet" said the old man.
Jimmy's voice subsidized TO weak
whimper. The old man sat up on the
ecee Of the bed. still covering him with
the revolver.
What are you going TO do wi honest
cove as 'as gone wrong through evil com
paEy, sir?" whispered Jimmy
'Hush!' cried the old man. what is
| that?'
Jimmy was silent He listened. A foot
fall was audible upon the stairs.
Are there two OF your asked the old
man. Are there? Are there?'
Jimmy nodded.
Tell your companion, then, TO keep
out of the room. The moment he enters
1 will shoot"
| MP OhNs bpD- hdll<u
| His voice rang out clear and shrill.
There was an answering growl from
without and the handle Of the door rat
tied. Jimmy. screaming in his overmas-
| terine fear, swept the candle of the
wash-stsnd and ducked. A report rang
out. He felt sudden pang of pain in
| his arm. and his shirt became in an in
slant hot and wet. He darted for the
door and collided violently with Bob
| They staggered clutched desperately at
enc another, and fell rolling downstairs
| into the hall, locked in an unwilling en-
brace. They lay, halfstunned, upon the
stone flooring.
The door above them opened, and the
cid man appeared, bearing the rel:ghted
candle In his hand he carried the re-
volver. Deliberately he pointed It at the
writhing men below and fired twice.
Jimmy saw Bob rise suddenly in the
hickering light for an instant he stood
erect then swayed forward with his
chin a slobber of blood, and fell head
long.
Bob, Bob" cried Jimmy.
Bob did not stir.
Jimmy looked up at the watching figure
at the head of the stairs.
Murderer he shrieked.
The old man raised his arm as il to fire
again Jimmy covered back, and then
ran STOPPING through the open doorway
into the cold, starlit garden.
|
The rain dribbled slowly down the panes,
and the easement ratified in the wind "a
if a peevish child were shaking it. 1t
was the middle OF the forenoon. All night
| Mrs. Ryot had sat waiting for the return
| OF her husband Now, worn out at last,
| she nodded in a chair upon the hearth.
The baby lay whimpering upon the bed.
Louder and more insistent grew the voIce
| of its complaining. At last 1t uttered ii
| prolonged. shrill yell, and Mrs. Ryot
| awoke.
"Bobr' she whispered. and looked hast
| lily, eagerly about the room mot come
| home YETI!
She went to the bed and crooned over
her child
There came step upon the stairs. The
door was flung open violently, and tat
| tered male figure lurched into the room.
1t was Jimmy. His face was gray and
drawn with agony. He wcs hatless and
his clothes were stained thickly with wet
mud. His right arm dangled loosely at
his side, hideo sly broken. In his left
hand he clutch a crumpled newspaper.
He fell across the bed and lay gaspinig.
| Mrs. RyOt rose up slowly and touched
| him on the shoulder. Where is Bob?
she whispered.
He laughed aloud in delirun. ''Mornin'
paper burglar shot dead-I see 1t wi my
| own eyes. The last time-he said ii was
| The last time-an' it was"
tTHE ENDD