Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-05-20

to that terrible space. Jack held firm
ly to his clothing. He felt sick when
he thought of the consequence If the
nook should Slip or the improvised
rope break. He breathed more free.
iy when he saw Joe, after only Il slight
| hesitation, start carefully to ascend
| the rope. He soon reached the corn
ice, and in another moment was on the
| roof Adjusting the hook somewhat,
he leaned over the edge OF 1t and sig
nailed to Jack. anG, he, TOO, made the
| ascent in safety.
Crouching low for a few seconds
they waited breathlessly, but heard no
sound. Thus far they had been unob-
served. Taking the hook and rope,
they crept cautiously along in the
| shadow of the cornice to the corner of
The building, from which they lowered
! themselves to the roof OF another. and
from this they swung OUT and down
upon the wall, and then to the ground
and-freedom.
Jack, who descended first, waited for
Joe, and for n moment the two stood
in silence. Neither spoke. Jack felt
fairly bursting with emotion. TO be
outside of those walls-free-was more
| than he could realize. 1t seemed too
good to be true. But suddenly the
booming peal Of n bell and the sharp
clatter Of feet aroused them, and they
started to run.
Then came yell, loud and terrible,
changing quickly from rage to exulta-
| ton. A shot rang out-then several
others, followed by the spiteful hum
of many bullets. Jack ran as he never
ran before. Joe was slightly in ad-
vance, and Jack saw i'm hesitate and
stumble, then with his hands tossed
high above his head, he staggered and
sank down.
In flash Jack was kneelng beside
him. Joe turned toward him mutter.
| ing:
"Are you mad? Go, For Gods sake,
Jack, save yourself! Don't waste your
own lfe.'
mo! 1 will not 60 Are you badly
hurt, Joe" asked Jack. as his comrade
dropped back into his outstretched
arms.
They were almost Immediately sur
rounded by the guards, but Jack lift
ed the wounded man upon his knee,
| holding him close against him with
one arm, while with his free hand he
tore open the neck of Joes shirt, upon
which crimson stain now appeared
As Joe sank back Imply, Jack shook
him, crying:
Don't give way, old fellow. Here,
Joe, don't die!"
But the head on his shoulder only
sank the closer.
Suddenly he opened his eyes and
seeing the guards, said between gasps
of pain and weakness:
Jack. I'm done for. Don't think too
hard of me because | didn't tell you. 1
couldn't help it'll knew you wouldn't
come. Forgive me if you can, l knew
all the time-since that nignt-that
was-the man who sold you that horse.
| You are witnesses" he said falterlngly
TO the guards. Tell them-governor-
he is innocent. I stole the horse and
saddle and sold them to him for TWEEN
| ty dollars - at Pawnee crossing in
Oklahoma. 1 never knew of the ar
rest, Jack, but when l came here 1
thought you were the fellow - didn't
know for sure till that night-you told
me about--Nellie. Forgiye-Im done
for this time"
Then, arousing himself with almost
superhuman effort. he again stam-
mered to the guards:
"See, I'm dying-you are-witnesses.
Jack didn't steal them-I did-Catons-
vile, Oklahoma. Met Jack two days
after-coming from Kaw Reservation.
Didn't know him-didnt care-just
wanted to get rid of-stolen stuff. He
was drunk. Forgive me, Jack-if you
---'
He stopped speaking, his head sank,
and the body stiffencd in Jacks arms.
-Wayerley Magazine.