Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-01-20

-" - ~ e N1 az DAA.AN
ence in these soli.udca His future
course was plain. Mcrcilessly be would
engage in the war for wealth. His heart
nj know but oro love-tho love Of
gold.
And the stake. it was not 20 much
after all. If no only had Toms ehare
tool The thought startled him, and he
looked furtiveiy about as though already
under ~survoiliance. Well, why not?
What was Tom to him nows The old
man cared nothing for gold. He had
said as much. Why not begin the task
of wealth gathering tonight and double
his fortune by a single coupf The skiff
was all ready for the morrow's journey
down the river. lie could easily reach
North Fork hy daylight, aud Diles Of
distance would lie between him and
Tom before tie latter could make,th5
trip across the almost impossible nloHn-
tain trail. He weakened for 4 moment
rs he thought Of Toms almost mother.
~ solicitudo, Of how throughout their
wauderings the lis hearted miner had
borne the brant Of the struggle. Even
when the reasure was discovered the
old mans lirst words were, I'm glad
for your sake, Billy. Then be asked
himself if he. too, was growing senti-
mental, and tonight, Of ell nights, on
tho very eve Of battle.
He walked hack TO tho house. Tom
was fast asleep. The Pickering light Of
the lantern fell aslant the corner where
be lay, his powerful form half swathed
in tie tattercd llankets, his lTawny
arms thrown above his head. The face,
from which sleep seemed to have
smoothcd away the deep furrows, mir
rorcd tho rugged honesty Of bis heart
But the touching picture meant nothing
to Billy, vhO watched tho sleeper for
an instant. and then proceeded to put
his %cowardly scheme into effect. 1t was
bat tho 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 %transporta.
tion. There was a look Of cunning
triumph on his face as he completed his
preparations. lie was thinking Of the
surprise awaiting Tom, who had been
fool enough to believe in human
friendship"
He made a cautious step toward the
door Of the shack, when u 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 folled by a blow. Tom was sit
ting bolt upright in bed, his revolver
leveled at Billy's heart.
The two ga2od at each other q mo-
ment in utter silence. Billy's eyes, fix
ed with the penetration born of despair.
scanned the old mans face and read
there reproach cnd pity rather than a
thirst for swift revenge. This some
what treasured him, and Ee rose TO his
foot.
"Woll," no said ~bluntly, "what do
you intend to doi'
80" said Tom with a long breath,
Il wuz mistook in you after all. To
think that l gave you my friendship sn
you want worth it. What be 1 going
to do? What do men usu'lly Go when a
pardner turns thief"
"You wouldn't shoot me, TOMB"
"Why not? Mems been killed feI
less an this, on the world wuz well
rid Of en-"
Then it did mean death.
AS Billy realized this his face turned
ashen pale. while . palsying terror
struck through him, rending his bra
vado mask aud revealing him rs the
pitiablo bastard he was. He covered
before the cid man, pleading hysteric-
ally.
ooh, spare me, spare me, Tom. You
said yoa cared nothin for gold, while
III was mad with love of it. 1t is my
god-my heaven-my everything. But
take it, take it all-only give me my
Acknowledgements.
"Git up" commanded tho other
coldly. Don't make me despise you
worse'n l do. What would you do if
you wuz 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 meant to
me, Billy. I'm old.
In the m%omentary silence that follow
ed the pines and the river could be
heard singing their cid, old song, IN
needing of the strife Of mortals for q
scrap of the treasure they guarded.
Tom heard the song, and.his bitterness
seemed to go out with the weird melo
dy. Tho hand that held tho weapon
dropped listlessly to his side.
"Ill spar yer life" no said hoarse-
ly. "You kin 60"
Billy stood a moment as though he
had not heard.
NXor fvoa % - cofd TOW
The boy glanced from tho old mnm to
the bag Of gold and then turned slowly
toward the doorway.
lyon better take yer pile now" said
Tom quietly, ''as l reckon you won't
DO comm back"
"Do you mean it?" gasped Billy.
Certainly. Half's youTn, amt it:
There's only one thief " this camp, an
1t amt me-.
Tom proceeded 10 open tho bag and
roughly divided the %contentB
"You can take the boat; that goes
with Your half. AS fer me, I" hi added
in n voice that wavcred in spite Cf him
self, "IH do what I'd "a done if you'd
"a robbed me. I'll stay awhile longer