The Portland daily press., 1900-09-05
g 81 s. g 8 $ B 8 g 8 8

and far away, like the voice of one
who speaks in a trance
"Prospered; yes, look it, don't ~"
said the other, with a bitter laugh and
a glance downward at his broken boots
and faded clothing. "It is just a week
since I left Blackwelps island. land
ed there the day after l struck New
York, six months ago. But that's moth
ing new for me-"
Lawrence still stood motionless He
seemed paralyzed with horror.
"But We haven't much to say to me,
Larry; perhaps yen have more when
We learn what I've come for"
Il cannot hope 1t is for any honest
reason, Miles Callan; 1 have known
only evil from your hands in the past"
"And now ye're going to return good
for It, according to the way of the
righteous, and I'll see to it that We do"
Lawrence did not hear the sheer.
His thoughts were far away in Ireland
1t was a moonlit summer night and
four young men were returning to their
miserable home from a meeting of
striking linen workers. AS they pass
ed through the deserted village streets
the eldest Of them, who had been in
Weighing loudly against the landlords
and all who owned property, stopped
and whispered something about a linen
merchant whose store he pointed out
The older lads were inf1amed by pas
sion and drink, and Lawrence, the
youngest, who had had his share Of
the liquor, went with the rest. Only
half comprehending what was intend
ed, he did as the leader babe and
stationed himself at the door to watch
while the others went In through a
rear window. The merchant happen
ed to be sleeping In his shop that night
He gave an alarm and the housebreak-
ers were caught Larry pleaded guilty
and was sentenced to three months in
Jail. 1t was this disgrace which drove
him IN shame and horror from his
native land.
Miles Callan, the leader of that shah
by little band of culprits, sat before
him.
HAD We only robbed a bank, now,
O'Hara, or made way wild big trust
funds it would have q fine sound and
might be overlooked, but a linen dra-
per's till-'Larry the Till Taper
'twould look i'll in the country papers,
wouldn't it, lad?"
Hush, oh, hushw groaned Lawrence,
looking toward the door.
AYE, I've heard of her, too, and it's
not likely yen have told her Of 1t nor
that yen be doing it soon"
He held out a grimy piece of paper.
There's an attested copy of an en-
try in the Jail wardens book at Cross
molina: Lawrence O'Hara, larceny; en-
tered June 13, discharged Sept 13,
1885 Its price is $500. Take it if We
wish. If not, yer opponent will be
glad to buy it."
There was one swift passing mo-
ment Of temptation. Lawrence had not
an enemy in the town or district but
he knew too well the cruel emergencies
which politics give rise to. His oppo-
nent could not afford to ignore that pa
per- 1t would give him the election.
Then he spoke. "A1iles Callan, had you
come here as an old acquaintance in
need for all the debt Of bitterness I
owe you I'd have helped you gladly.
But when you come avowing black
mail not one cent will you wiring from
me-"
From afar came family the sound of
a strange cOmmingling Of shouting,
singing, the beating of drums and the
footing Of horns. An hour ago it would
have been the sweetest music In the
ears Of O'Hara Now it sounded his
doom
Miles Callan sat watching Lawrence,
a malignant grin upon his face
do you hear that?" said the younger
man. 'gThat is my friends coming to
rejoice with me. Now see, Miles Cal
Ian, what a man dare do. I've lived
this thing down once. Please God III
do it again.
Going to the door, he called, "Helent'
When she came, he put his arm about
her. Dear" he said gently, ga great
trouble has come upon me. Are YOU
strong to help me bear it? Look at
that man. Do you remember my child
Ing you tonight, Helen, for proclaiming
our happiness? Oh girl, how true it is
that the consequences Of a sin can neY-
er be foreseen and that they may pur-
sue us to the gravel I made a misstep
once, Helen. 1t was in the faroff days
in the old country, and, though
thought l had atoned by years Of bit
ter suffering, my sin has come home to
me in the hour Of my triumph, borne
by the very hand which led me into
temptation"
The sound of the trumpets and the
shouting were louder now. The adj
vance guard was already in front Of
the house. Helen, who had listened
with face growing paler, now threw
her arms around her husbands neck.
Lawrence, Lawrence" she cried,
"you know trust in you and believe
in you with all my soul Who dares