Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-03-11

see what is hidden behind it. Shake
hands with your father before you
co."
The boy crossed over to his father
in puzzled way. and the father lift
ed him up. and kissed him. When
he put him down he said:
Run along. Jimmy. II you don't
find me here when you come back
Mr.. Pelton will take care of YOU"
oh, yes, Mr.. Pelton will take care
of me and see that / get home" re-
piled the lad. I'm awfully glad to
see him. Wasn't it queer to meet him
way off here? I was saying only,
week ago that wish he was back
with us, so that he could mend my
wagon and help me make kites. Mr..
Pelton was always good to me. won't
be gone long, and you and Mr.. felton,
must be good friends. Don't you re-
member that mother said she was sor-
ry for him? We want him back, don't
WEI"
Little Jim started OFF for the rock,
but he hadn't taken ten steps before
he was back again to say to the rob-
Der:
And | want you to make me new
waterwheel, and the handle has come
out of the hammer, and nobody will
sharpen my knife for me. II you don't
come back / don't know what / 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.
Mother told me if ever met you I
might speak to you just as | used to.
If you amt mad. and pa amt mad. OF
course you'll come back; I'm going
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. 1t would take him at
least twenty minutes to 90 gnd re-
turn. The fatheR looked after -
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"
Eyes, before he comes back. !" replied
Pelton as he drew his revolver. It
won't be murder, Col. Weston. II will
simply be retribution. Do you 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 pistol. He did not open his
eyes, but he felt that II was levelcd
at his heart, and that his life was
measured by seconds. or sudden
came a call from little Jim. Half
way to the rock he had turned about
to shout:
ooh, Mr.. Pelton, don't forget to
think up some new Indian and bear
stories to tell me. Nobody has told
me story since you went away"
The Colonelts eyes opened The re-
volver was lying on the ground, aud
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:
81 can't do IT. Little Jim would
know it 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 in a mo-
ment. When little Jim returned no
found his father sitting as he had
left him and gazing into the woods.
What is it, father7" he asked.
What's the matter with you and
where ia Mr. Pelton?g
The man rose up slowly. took his
boys hand in his, and without word
in answer he led the way down TO the
stage trail and safety.
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