The Washington weekly post., 1900-03-13

knew nothing OF the mans vengeance
there was feeling OF dread IN his soul
Now and then the robber ordered the cOl-
onei 10 the right or left bat those were
the only words spoken until they finally
reached a rude camp high up among the
powders. Even then nothing vas said
for a long FIVE minutes. Each SAT down 20
rest. They did not look az each other By
and by the robber half turned 10 look the
colonel In the face, and said.
I've waited for this for two years I
could neither die nor so away until hai
killed you
IL viii be murder-cold-blood rnur-
der, replied the colonel. as he folded his
IF II was murder hundred times over
ia 90 ~ Do you suppose ] can forget
Rose Harper? Who separated u.s. Who
m2ligned me- Who wrecked my life aad
sent her TO a suicides gTave7 Who drove
me TO be fugitive from Justice on a false
charger 10 Kill you IL thousand men
surrounded me"
The colonel vas silent for a time. He
old not look at his boy. but past him. The
boys eyes were fastened on his face.
however and a chill crept over him as ne
noted the leok OF man standing In the
shadow OF death. IL was the first time he
had ever seen It. lie turned from his "a.
ther after awhile TO look at the robber
There was another look strange 10 A!m.
IL was set determination to kill-the look
OF a man who had hated and thirsted ana
waited
Take the boy sway FIRST" said the col.
onsl with touch Of entreaty in his voice.
Yes. that VIII be proper" answered
Pelton. Come. Jimmy. let's take a walk
What-what you going 20 DO 10. ia
ther whispered the boy as he walked
the would-be murderer
Never mind, Do you see that big rock
up thereE Wen. go up there and see
what Is hidden behind It. shake hands
with your father before YOU so.'
The boy crossed over TO his father i'm n
puzzled way, and the father lifted him up
and kissed him. When he put him down
he said TO him:
Run along, Jimmy II you don't fnd
me here when you come back Mr. Pelton
VIII take care OF you"
'Dh. yes. Mr.. Pelton will take care Of
ne and see that l get home" replied the
iad. / m awfully glad to see him Wasn't
IL queer 10 meet him way off herep I was
saying only a week ago that | wish ne
was back with us. so that he could rlend
my wagon and help me make kites. Mr..
Pelton was always good 10 me. | won't
pc gone long, and you and Mr.. PcltOI
must be good friends. Don't you ,emem-
Der that mother said she was ssrry 10.
him. We want him back, don't Ne?'.
Little Jim started of for the rock. but
he hadn't taken ten steps before he was
back again 10 say TO the robber:
And | want you TO make me a new
waterwheel. and the handle has come oct
of the hammer. and nobody will sharpen
my knife for me. II you don't come back
l don't know what shall do
Perhaps I'll come back" whispered
Pelton as he turned his head away.
oh, but yoI surely must. I've hear!
lots OF people say you We're a good man
and shouldn't have gone away Mother
told me II ever met you | might speak
10 you just as used to. II you amt mad
and pa amt mad. of course you'll conc
back; I'm going now, but remember that
you are coming hack.
The boy went away almost gIeefuIlv.
and the two men heard his footsteps and
his voice as he made his way toward the
rock. IL would take him al least twenty
minutes to go and return. The father look
cd after him until he was hidden by The
trees and then turned to the robber ami
quietly said:
Before he cones back. And you'll help
him TO get home"
Yes, before he comes back" REPLIED
Pelton as he drew his revolver 1T went
be murder, Col Weston It'N simply he
retribution. De yeu want a minute or
two TO ask God to forgive you
The colonel sat erect with folded arms
He closed his eyes and his lips moved
BY and by he heard the click of the pls-
felt that II was levclsd at his heart, and
that mis- life was measured by seconds
or sudden came a call from little Jim
Half way 10 the rock he had turned about
oh! Mr., Pelton don't forget 20 think
up some new Indian and bear stories 20
tell me Nobody has told me a story
Stree you went away"
The colonefs eyes opened. The revolver
was lying n the ground, and Pelton had
MS hands ever his face. When he drop
ped them there were tears in his eyes
He rose up. put the pistol In his pocket
and said to the man waiting for death;
Il can't do it! Little Jim would know
1t some day. When he comes back take
him and go down 10 the road. It's only
three miles to Cedarville"
With that he walked off into the brush
and was out Of sight i'm moment. When
little Jim returned he found his father
sitting as ne had left him and gazing
into the woods.
What is 1t. father7" he asked What
the matter with yeu, and where is Mr..
Pelton?'
The man rose up slowly, took his boys
hand in his, and without a word I'm an
ewer he led the way down TO the stage
trail and safety.
Copyright. 1900 by e b Lewis,