The Colfax chronicle., 1900-06-09
SLAVE AND SAINT
nXyoU'D not be all that of a scoun

his friend. Crawford Sands spent that
minute in Struggling his shoulders and
looking elsewhere. He wore an eye
glass. The thing helped him in mo-
ments like this.
''The word 'scoundrer may be va
riously defined, old chap" he said,
after further pause.
by men who are scoundrels ac-
cording to the common meaning OF
the word--only by them. Crawford"
Thanks. Wen, I'm off to meet Vim
nv. She's coming down from town
this morning. l think / told you. l
hope you'll help with the boat this
afternoon"
Crawford" said Tom Downing, ''do
be plucky, for your sisters sake"
The two young men faced each
other, and it seemed for moment
as if the reckless expression was
about to fit from the eyes of Craw-
ford Sands. But he conquered the bet
ter impulse.
Look here, Downing" he said, lit
needn't make the least difference to
you. You can make love to Vinny just
the same, and she'll marry you fast
enough whenever you like to ask her.
or / don't"
But with a rush of crimson to his
tanned cheeks, Tom Downing inter-
vened.
.sThatll do, Sands" he said, quiet
ly. Its my turn to say Thanks.
Then he left the room and the
house and it wasn't until he ran
against Carruthers, of Balliol, that he
realized he was hatless.
He bought cap in one of the shops,
and got into boat and bad paddle
all to himself. And while he padded
he thought:
.sWas it true that Vinny Sands
would marry him fast enough when
ever etc.?"
Yet what was the use of toying
with the sweet hope in the present
circumstances?
Here am l. at Oxford fighting for
> a degree, with the world to fight aft
erward, and only hundred year
TO my name! Also, to some extent,
have poor Crawford's wild ways on
my soul. If / had looked after him
better he would never have got mixed
up with that fast Dunlace lot. And,
to mend it all, i want Vinny Sands
After this reflection he rowed more
furiously still, and SO it wasn't per-
haps wonderful that by and by lie
was to be seen trotting back to the
rooms he shared with Crawford
Sands, .dribbling Thames water
onto the pavement from several
parts of him. Anyhow, he had
managed to save from watery
grave that young counter jumper
whom in his mad career he had SO un-
fortunately spilled. 1t was thus that
he shook hands with Xinny Sands on
the landing of the lodging house.
There was trouble in her pretty eyes,
but it vanished quickly at the sight of
him.
Crawford Sands laughed at the wet
clothes.
''I'll tell you what it means, VIM" he
said. ''Tom tried to drown himself be-
cause / limited that you were engaged
10 that Capt. What s-his-name, but he
thought better of it in the nick of
time
Crawford" cried vinny.
"He's the same old feather-brain,
Miss Vinny," murmured Tom, warmed
by the reproach in the girls voice and
the glorious color in her face. And
then he went off to get presentable for
luncheon.
After dinner, by special request, the
brother and sister were left alone. 1t
made Toms heart ache to think of this
orphaned girl of one-and-twenty years
thus tackling the position of debt and
disgrace which confronted her broth
er of 22.
But it was worst of all in the morn
in@
There was no Crawford at the break
fast table. Tom and vinny sat to the
meal together. and when it was over
the girl explained things.
HE has committed forgery. Mr..
Downing, and have persuaded him to
leave Oxford ut once. He will live it
down, believe. L told him was sure
you would do what was necessary-to
Ito sell his books and things, and
and
Then she broke down, and before
Tom quite knew what he was doing he
had taken the girl in his arms and
was comforting her as if she had been
his own brave little sister.
This, however, could not last With
miserable little smile, Vinny at
length freed herself.
Yes she confessed. being urged
81 love you very much, Tom. So much
that--but it's no use talking. Please
to go off to your lecture now. BY and
by. perhaps"