El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-22

could neither die nor go away until
| had killed you"
cit will be murder-cold blooded
murder" replied the colonel as he fold
ed his arms
IF 1t was murder a hundred times
over. I'd do it. Do you suppose I can
forget Rose Harper? Who separated
| us? Who maligned me? Who wrecked
my life and sent her to a suicides
grave? Who drove me to be a fugitive
from justice on n false charge? I'd kill
you il 1000 men surrounded me-"
The colonel was silent for a time. He
did not look at his boy. but past him.
The boys eyes were fastened on his
face, however. and a chill crept over
him as he noted the look of a man
standing in the shadow of death. 1t
was the first time he had ever seen II.
He turned from his father after awhile
to look at the robber.
There was another look strange to
him 1t was a set determination to kill
the look of man who had hated and
thirsted and waited
Take the boy away first said the
colonel with a touch of entreaty in his
voice.
Yes; that will be proper" answered
Pelton. Come, Jimmy, let's take q
walk
''What-what you going to do with
fatherT' whispered the boy as he walk
ed slowly over and put his hand in that
of the would be murderer.
Never mind. Do you see that big
rock up there? Well. go up there and
see what is hidden behind it. Shake
hands with your father before you CO."
The boy crossed over to his father In
a 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 find
me when you come back, Mr.. Pelton
will take care Of you"
"Oh. yes. Mr. Peiton Will take care of
me and see that 1 get home" replied
the lad I'm awfully glad to see him.
Wasn't It queer to meet him way or
here? I was saying only a week ago
that I wish'd he was back with us SO
that he could mend my wagon and help
me make kites. Mr.. Pelton was al
ways good to me. 1 won't be gone
long. and you and Mr.. Pelton must be
good friends Don't you remember that
mother said she was sorry for him? We
want him back. don't WEI"
Little Jim started or for the rock.
but he hadn't taken ten steps before he
was back again 70 say to the robber:
And 1 want you to make me a new
water wheel. and the handle has come
out of the hammer. and nobody will
sharpen my knife for me. If you don't
come back, l don't know what l shall
do"
Perhaps I'll come back" whispered
Pelton as he turned his head away.
'Oh, but you surely must. I've heard
lots of people say you were a good man
and shouldn't have gone away. Moth
er told me il l ever met you / might
speak to you just as used to. I'm 60
ing now. but remember that you are
coming back
The boy went away almost gleefully,
and the two men heard his footsteps
and his voice as he made his way to-
ward the rock. The father looked after
him until he was hidden by the trees
and then turned to the robber and
quietly said:
Before he comes back. And you'll
help him to get home;"
Yes; before he comes back" replied
Pelton as he drew his revolver. at
won't be murder. Colonel Weston tn
simply be retribution. Do you want a
minute or two to ask God to forgive
your
The colonel sat erect with folded
arms He closed his eyes. and his lips
moved. By and by he heard the click
of the pistol. He did not open his eyes.
but he felt that 1t was leveled ut his
heart and that his life was measured
by seconds. OF n sudden came a call
from little jim Half way to the rock
he had turned about to shout:
''Oh. Mr.. Pelton. don't forget to think.
up some new Indian and bear stories to
tell me. Nobody has told me a story
since you went away"
The coloners eyes opened. The re-
volver was lying on the ground, and
Pelton had his hands over his face.
When he dropped 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 1t. Little Jim would
know 1t some day. When he comes
back, take him and go down to the
road. It's only three miles to Cedar
VILE
With that he walked of into the
brush and was out of sight i'm a mo-
ment- When little Jim returned. he
found his father sitting as he had left
him and gazing into the woods.
What is il, father?" he asked.
whats the matter with you and
where is Mr.. Pelton?"
The man rose up slowly, took his
boys hand in his. and without a word
I'm answer he led the way down to the
stage trail and safety.-Butte Miner. e.