The suburban citizen., 1901-02-16


father. One day there had been a bit.
ter quarrel-pistols had been drawn
the Sheriff had rushed in and Mr.. Pei.
ton had fed to escape arrest. He re.
membered his father calling the fugi.
tive a 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
a feeling Of dread in his soul Now
and then the robber ordered the Colo
mel to the right or left. but these were
the only words spoken until they
finally reached q rude camp high up
among the bowlders By and by the
rObber half turned to look the Colonel
in the face and said:
i've waited for this for two years.
l could neither die nor go away until
had killed you"
1T will be murder - cold blooded
murder" replied the Colonel as ne
folded his arms.
IF it was murder a hundred times
over I'd do it, Do you suppose 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 n 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 n chill crept
over him as he noted the look of a
man standing in the shadow OF death.
It was the first time ne 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
ayes. 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 be
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 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. II you don't
find ne when you come back Mr.. Pei
ton will take care Of you"
20, yes, Mr.. Pelton will take care Of
me and see that l get Nome" replied
the lad. Il am awfully glad to see
him. Wasn't it queer 20 meet him way
off here? l was saying only 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. / 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-
ber:
"And I want you to make me a new
waterwheel and the handle has come
out Of the hammer, and nobody will
sharpen my knife for me. II you don't
| come back / don't know what | shall
| do"
perhaps I'll come back" whispered
Pelton, ds he turned his head away.
"Oh, but you surely must. I've
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 remem-
Der 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 trees, and then turned to the
robber and Quietly said:
Before he comes back. And youIl
help him to get home"
"Yes, before he comes back replied
Pelton, as he drew his revolver. 1t
won't be murder, Colonel Weston. It'll
simply be retrlbution. DO you want a
minute or two TO ask God to forgive
you?'
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 ne felt that it was leyeled at
his heart, and that his life was meas
ured by seconds. OF a sudden came
call from Little jim. Half way to the
rock he had turned about TO shout:
"Oh, Nj. Pelton, don't forget to
think up some new Indian and bear
stories to tell me- Nobody has told
r,, n sto7.v sinca Won went away"