The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-22
THE ADVERTISERS t .s N
 .e # DAILY SHORT STORY.Sl
Copy right. 1900. by Daily Story Publishing Co,

in the, East and set in the West. Ane here he was in the same building sleeping off the exhaustion of the day, battling with the flood. It was strange
 Sherfff Turner was a man of action Ton years before he had had a war rant for this mans arrest; now h, would take him officially as an es. capped prisoner.
 Leaving his room he walked thret loors down the hall and then rappec sharply. A voice called Come in."
 A ann light was burning, and as he crossed the room to the bedside Sherifl Turner looked at the man sharply Yes. he had not been mistaken. A strong face like that was not often seen. and certainly was not to be for gotten.
 You are Clifford Waite" he said.
 The man started.
 "of Orange County. New York" the Sheriff went on quietly. T arrest you for the murder of Pete Bolly, eleven jcars ago."
 For moment the man shivered, then his face grew calm and strong again as before.
 ''Yes. l am Clifford Waite of Orange County. New York" he answered, rais- ing himself to a sitting posture, "and executed the miscreant Pete Bolly, whom a bribed jury turned loose upon the community eleven years ago. And moreover" looking the Sheriff calmly in the face. T consider it was a good gift to the State. People tell me have done good work-I was told that yesterday, but none of it has been oi such real benefit as ridding the coun- try of such villain as Pete Bolly The law itself would have done 1t long ago had 1t not been for his money You know that. But of course," break ing off suddenly, that does not affect my case"
 No. 1t does I ot affect your case, ' coldly. You will please get ready as quickly as possible. A train leaves here at midnight. I do not wish to make a disturbance"
 T understand" dryly; you fear have so many friends here it might be difficult to take me away. l think you are right. However. I will go quietly Now am discovered 1t could only be a question of few weeks at most. have often had a desire to go back and try to clear myself at home. If 1t were not for my wife-''
 Your wife?" with some surprise.
 "Yes. I came here without dollar and one of the merchants gave me a position as bookkeepcr without ever asking for references. Later, I bought him out and put up brick block Five years ago I married his daughter It will be hard for her." slight break coming into his voice in spite of his self-control. "She believes in me thor ougAly, and and -' He turned abruptly. and Sheriff Turner, lemem- bering the scenes of the turbulent flood. stretched out his hand under a sudden impulse. then remembered hi: office. and was himself again.
 Come. We have not time to spare, ' he said harshly. You must hurry" there came a sudden dull roar which caused them to exchange hurried glanoes. Then followed a hoarse cry from somewhere outside.
 "The levee is down at Viteau! Fly. Fly for your lives! The flood is on us again."
 Tt is pity you recognized me-" the man said regretfully. You and could do more here"
 "Yes. we are needed here" the Sher- if assented. He looked at his com- panion. and flush of conscious shame mantled his face. Through all his years of office he could not remember such irresolution as had been his during the last half hour. Then he threw out his hands with a sudden gesture, as though Ringing consequences to the wind.
 Will you give me your word to come back when the flood subsidies 9 he demanded.
 Yes, If I am alive"
 Then we will go and do what we can. If we get through all right we will meet here and go on to Orange county together. Now come"
 The work was more dangerous than they had Experienced during the day for 1t was now too dark to see the black masses of wreckage until 1t was too late to avoid them. And the flood lasted longer. All through the nigh, they battled with the currents. and all through the next day, and when at last the water began to subside 1t left Sheriff Turner bruised and helpless upon the bank, and beside him was the man he had recognized, his strong bearded face now upturned to the sky white and inanimate.
 Presently came the sound of carria go wheels. and a woman hurried forward clasping and unclasping her hands and sobbing to herself.
 "He was so good to me-" she moaned. as she flung herself on her knees beside the silent form, "so good to me and to everybody" Then she raised her head and a clear light came into her eyes. He is dead" she said, softly, but it has been good for me to have known him. good to have been his wife,
 And 1t has been good for me to have known him." said a voice near her. He was a brave man."
 She turned quickly. and then came forward and held out her hand.
 Yes. he was brave man. she said, land you were with him. You are a brave man. too. 1 am glad to meet you"
 He took her hand almost relucta ntly. and as he gazed up into her eyes and saw the great sorrow there he felt thankful it was the flood that was re- sponsible.