The Opelousas courier., 1901-04-06

"I've waited for this for two years
l could neither die nor go away unit
I had k~illedlyou."
1T will be murder cold blooded
murder" replied the Colonel as hs
folded his arms.
IF it was murder a hundred times
over I'd do 1t. 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 be a fugitive
from justice on a false charge? I'd
kill you If a thousand men surrounded
| me-"
The Colonel was silent for q 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 a set determination to
kill-the look Of a man who had hated
and thirsted and waited.
"Take the boy away first" said the
Colonel, with a touch Of entreaty in
his voice.
Eyes, 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
walked 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 1t. Shake
hands with your father before you
CO."
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 ONE back Mr.. Pei
ton will take care Of you"
20, yes, Mr.. Pelton will take care OF
me and see that I get home" replied
the lad. II am awfully glad to see
him. Wasn't it queer to meet him way
off here? I was saying only a week
ago that I wish he was back with us
that he could mend my wagon and
help me make kites. Mr.. Pelton was
good to me. I 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
We want him back, don't we"
Little Jim started off for the rock,
but he hadn't taken ten steps before
be was back again to say to the rob-
Der:
"And I want you to make me a new
and the handle has come
put of the hammer, and nobody will
sharpen my knife for me. If you don't
come back I don't know what I shall
TO-"
perhaps I'll come back" whispered
as he turned his head away.
"Oh, but you surely must. I've
heard lots of people say you were a
rood man, and shouldn't have gone
away. Mother told me il I ever met
I might speak to you Just as I
Used to. I'm going now, but remem-
DER that you are coming back"
The boy went away almost glee-
July, and the two men heard his foot
'teps and his voice as he made his
way toward the rock. The father
ooked after him until he was hidden
" the trees, and then turned to the
obber and quietly said:
Before he comes back. And you'll
lelp him to get home?
Eyes, before he comes back" replied
'elton, as he drew his revolver. ut !
7on't be murder, Colonel Weston. It'll
imply be retribution. Do you want a
minute or two to ask God to forgive
The Colonel sat erect with folded
rms. He closed his eyes, and his lips
moved. By and by he heard the click
+ the pistol. He did not open his
yes, but he felt that 1t was leveled at
liz heart, and that his life was meas
red by seconds. OF a sudden came a
all from Little Jim. Half way to the
ock he had turned about to shout:
ooh, MI. Pelton, don't forget to
hink up some new Indian and bear
tories to tell me. Nobody has told
ne a story since you went away"
The Colonel's eyes opened. The re-
oliver was lying on the ground, and
elton had his hands over his face.
When he dropped them there were
ears In his eyes. He rose up, put the
istoI in his pocket and said to the
waiting for death:
IL can't do 1t. Little Jim would
now 1t some day. When he comes
ack take him and go down to the
Dad. It's only three miles to Cedar
iile."
With that he walked of into the
rush and was out Of sight in a mo-
lent. When Little Jim returned he
ound his father sitting as he had left
i'm and gazing into the woods.
"What is 1t, fatherT' he asked.
What's the matter with you. and
here liz Mr.. Pelton?"
The man rose up slowly, took his
oy's hand in his, and, without a word
| answer, he led the way down to the
age road and safety.-Butte Miner.
Sources of the SILK Supply.
LNLo- S-xoulatr u~oazaoA-n elk in DO