The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-05-25
have turned his back upon the farm and


elsewhere, not because any kind of OBJ
stacle stood in his way, but because of
two soft, tender eyes, the sound of a
mellow, sympathetic voice; because of
because of Mary Jolly!
Under the influence of his suspicion
of the farmer, Arnold grew very watch
ful and astute. 1t dragged him down
to doing meaner things than-felon as
he was-he would otherwise have
stopped to do. He played the spy upon
the farmer many a time. But he felt
the shame of it. Still. he had more
loss of something dearer to his heart
than liberty to fear. Thus it befell that
one evening, when tie farmer and his
sister were locked in the tidy little par
lor of the farm, Arnold was kneeling on
the mat outside the door, his ear and
his eye alternately at the key-hole. At
first he could not hear what either said.
but as they talked their voices in
stinctively rose, and he heard words
and sentences of their conversation.
"Only $3.50" the farmer said. mo,
| can't raise on anything. But
III be worth a couple of hundred easily
in few weeks, if | can tide over. :.
A week. Must have $3.50 in a week, or
an absolute guarantee for it.
They'll foreclose, which means ruin.
Borrow? Ali securities are
covered"
What can we do, George?" asked
Mary.
There's $500 in the house," said he,
YEARLY.
Arnold started so violently that he
almost ratified the handle of the door.
He checked his breathing and strained
his ears.
Where, George, where?" cried Mary.
in the person of Arnold" the farmer
replied, bitterly.
The sister said something so low that
the eavesdropper could not hear.
Not quite, LASS cried the farmer,
with a laugh. II am not that make, and
you know it,! trusted him, and he has
trusted me. I've left money about in
the hope he'd take it and clear off. And
I'd have been cut deep if he'd done it.
No, gave him his chance at great risk.
He took it like man, and George jolly
doesn't mean to play traitor in such
Case"
Il love you more than ever for that,
George" said Mary, impetuously.
I'm pleased to hear it, lass" replied
the farmer, grimly. at has seemed to
me that your affections been shifting
lately, eh?"
Arnold Strengthened himself and
crept down the short passage out into
the open air. For long time he paced
up and down the garden, deeply agitat-
ed. When he returned he went straight
to the parlor door and knocked. The
farmer opened it, and invited Arnold
in. The woman was not there.
"A word with you, farmer" exclaimed
Arnold, in passionate tone he tried to
subdue. I've been listening at the
key-hole, and"
"The dickens you have!"
"Yes. You said you trusted me and l
trusted you. It's lie; l never trusted
you moment until now; that's why ]
was listening at the door. Farmer, you
may call me felon and a spy, il you
like; | am. But I'm not a regular bad
'un, and I'm going to find you the
money you want if
"Are you mad? You come here and
talk about spying and lending me
money all in the same BREATH"
"On one condition. Nay, no condi-
tions; you shall have it anyhow. But
tell me, farmer; if came to you in two
years free man, and changed my
name, would you say no if Mary said she
would marry me?"
"Quite mad." murmured the farmer,
in amazement.
"Have / been honest here?
Thank you-thank you. Have /
criminals face? Thanks, farm
er, your hand! Look here, then.
| love Mary. Perhaps you did.
Well, if come back in two years free
man, and change my name and get hon
est employment, will you give Mary to
me if you can't discover more against
me than that bitter charger
IF / can find nothing more against
your name than that, WILL"
"Your hand on it,"
You seem pretty sure of the girl
agreeing" said jolly, good-naturedly.
II asked her yesterday. Sit down and
write, man, before / Write: Sir, !
have reason to suspect'-Got that?
Wife quicker or my pluck will fail me.
To suspect that man now employed
by me upon my farm is no other than
John Atkins, who"
"Do you mean me to do thisT' cried
the farmer, dropping the pen and start
ing to his feet.
Eyes, for Heavens sake get on-get
it done. Well talk later. John Atkins,
who'-Have you got hat?-'escaped
from gaol some time since. Be good
enough to send warders who could iden-
tify him. without delay. / shall detain
him until the officers arrive. In the
event of this information proving cor
rect shall claim the reward offered for
Atkins capture. all that?-Ad
dress it to the governor; mark it imme-
date Send Higgs with il at once in the