Iron County register., 1899-05-18

| trusted me. I've left money about II
| the hope heG take it and clear off. AND
I'd have been cut deep if he'd done it
No, gave hin his chance at great risk
He took it IKE a man, and George Jolly
doesn't mehn to play traitor in such {
case"
Il love yor more than ver for that
George" said Mary, impetuously.
I'm pleased to hear it, lass" replied
the farmer, grimly. ''It has seemed tt
me that your affections been shifting
lately, eh?''
Arnold Strengthened himself ant
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 tt
| subdue. I've been listening at the
key-hole, and"
THE dickens you have!"
yes You said you trusted me and
trusteu you. It's lie; l never trusted
you a moment until now; that's why
| was listening at the door. Farmer, you
may call me felon and a spy, If you
like; l am. But I'm not 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 breatha"
''On one condition. Nay, no condi
tions; you shall have it anyhow. But
tell me, farmer; if l 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 L been honest here?
Thank you-thank you! Have l a
criminals face? Thanks, farm
er, your hand! . Look here, then.
| love Mary. Perhaps you did
Well, if l come back in two years free
man, and change my name and get hon.
est employment, will you give Mary tc
me if you can't discover more against
me than that bitter charge?"
your name than that, l WILL
Your hand on it"
"You seem pretty sure of the girl
agreeing" said jolly, good-naturedly.
Il asked her yesterday. Sit down and
write, man, before / Write: Sir, /
have reason to suspect'-Got that?
Write 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 this?" cried
the farmer, dropping the pen and start
ing to his feet.
''YeS, for Heavens sake get on-get
it done. Wen talk later. John Atkins,
who'-Have you got that 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-
diate. Send Higgs with it at once in the
trap, and let him wait for the officers"
AS Arnold ceased his rapid declama-
toin he sank into a chair, while the
farmer rose from his.
''You can't mean this" Jolly demand
ed, sternly, leaning over Arnold. Think
of the result
Call Mary; ask her" Arnold groaned
burying his face in his hands.
The farmer went to the door and
summoned his sister, who came quietly
into the room and closed the door be-
hind her.
81 can't dissuade the mailman" said
the farmer, after he had explained the
matter to her; lit is too much to my in
terest for me to do so. You do it, Mary"
He turned away as if to leave them
alone.
'sWhy should he not?" Mary said.
slowly, standing, pale and trembling.
looking down at the convict. Till his
terms served he is not free, and never
can be free"
you're right, you're right" cried
Arnold, starting to his feet. I'm
felon still. Send the letter, farmer.
God help me. Send it now; at once. &c
-go-go!"
The farmer went out with the letter,
with which he dispatched farm
hand in light cart. He did not return
to the parlor for some time, and then
he found his sister and his servant sit
ting at the table opposite each other,
their hands clasped in the center of the
red cloth, and their heads bowed upon
their arms.