Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-09-18

could neither die nor go away until
had killed you.'
'It will be murder-cold-bloo mur-
DER" replied the Colonel as he folded
his arms.
IF it was murder a hundred times
over, I'd do it. Do you suppose l can
forget Rose Harper? Who separated
us? Who maligned me? Who wrecked
! my life and sent her to suicides
grave? Who drove me to be a fugitive
from justice on false charge? I'd kill
you if 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 it.
He turned from his father after awhile
to look at the robber.
There was another look strange to
him. 1t was set determination to kill
the look of man who had hated and
thirsted and waited.
Take the boy away first" said the
SO1OhCA Win q tOuCh VI CAtIColy al AAS
voice.
Yes; that will be proper" answered
Pelton. Come, Jimmy, let's take a
walk
''What-what you going to do with
father?" 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 60"
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. If you don't
find me when you come back, Mr.. Pei
ton will take care of you"
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Pelton will take care
of me and see that 1 get home," replied
the lad. Pm awfully glad to see him.
Wasn't it queer to meet him way off
here? l was saying only a week ago
that l 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. l 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 we?'
Little Jim started off for the rock,
but he hadn't taken ten steps before he
was back again to say to the robber:
And l 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. Eve heard
lots of people say you were good man
and shouldn't have gone away. Mother
told me if ever met you might speak
to you just as l used to. I'm going
now, but remember that you are COM
ing 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 homer
"Yes; before he comes back" replied
Pelton as he drew his revolver. TT
won't be murder, Col. Weston. It'll
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 it was leveled at his
heart and that his life was measured
| by seconds. OF a sudden came a cali
| from little Jim. Half way to the rock
he had turned about to shout:
"Oh, Mr.. PeIton, 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 ColoneIs 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 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
yille."
! With that he walked off into the
brush and was out of sight in a mo-
ment When little Jim returned, he
| found his father sitting as he had left
him and gazing into the woods.
| What is it, 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
in answer he led the way down to the
stage trail and safety.-Butte Miner.