Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-04-03

| Iathef. one day there had been bit
| ter quarrel-pistols had been drawn
| the Sheriff had rushed in and Mr.. Pei
| ton had fled to escape arrest He re-
membered his father calling the fugi-
tive thief, and of men being sent out
| TO hunt him down. All this came back
TO him as they followed the father up
the rough way, and though he knew
nothing of mans vengeance there was
| Il feeling of dread in his soul. Now
ana then the roTOer ordered the Colo
mel to the right or left but these were
the only words spoken until they
hnaIy reached a rude camp high up
among the powders. BY and by the
robber half turned to look the Colonel
| III the face and said
i've waited for this for two years.
could neither die nor go away until
| had killed you"
1T will be murder cold blooded
murder" replied the Colonel rs ne
folded his arms.
If it was murder Il 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 a suicides
grave? Who drove me to he fugitive
from Justice on a false charge? I'd
Kill you if thousand 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 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 a set determination to
kill-the look of q man who had hated
and thirsted and waited.
Take the boy away first" said the
Colonel, with u touch Of entreaty in
his voice.
eyes, that will be proper" answered
Pelton. Come, Jimmy, let's take
walk"
"What-what you going to do with
father" whispered the boy as ne
walked slowly over and put his hand
in that Of the would-be murderer.
"Neyer 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
go"
The boy crossed over to his father
in Il puzzled way, and the father lifted
MIN up and kissed him. When ne 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"
30, yes, Mr.. Pelton will take care of
me and see that | get home" replied
the lad. 81 am awfully glad to see
him. Wasn't it queer to meet him way
off here? 1 was saying only a week
ago that 1 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. 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 rob-
Der:
"And I want you to make me new
waterwheel 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 | 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 1 might speak to you just as
used to. I'm going now, but remem-
ber that you are coming back"
The boy went away almost glee-
fully, and the Two men heard his foot
steps and his voice as he made his
way toward the rock. The father
looked after him until he was hidden
by the treesS and then turned to the
robber ans qdietly said:
"Befoce ie comes back. And you'll
help him 10 get homer
"Yes, before he comes back" replied
Pelton, as he drew his revolver. 1T
won't be murder, Colonel Weston. It'll
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 mis- 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 meas
ured by seconds. OF a sudden came Il
call from Little Jim. Half way 10 the
rock he mad turned about to shout
"Oh, Nj, pelton, don't forget to
think UP some new Indian and bear
stories 10 tell me. Nobody has told
me a story since you Went away