Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-07-13
BY THOMAS
p. MONTFORT
"An Melvin 2"

A queer expression came to Sims
face, an expression in which surprise
and relief were blended.
Didn't you know bout him bein
killed." Pap asked.
"No. / have never heard a word
from home sence 1 went away, an
don't know anything that has happen
ed. Who killed him?"
The man who came with Sim looked
quickly up and appeared to wait eager
ly for Pap's reply. 1t was then Pap
noticed for the first time how pale and
emaeiated that man was.
'Who. killed MeIvin?' Sim repeated
presently.
81 don't know" Pap answered. "The
next mornin after you left Jim Thorn
found the dead body in your woods
with bullet hole through it. He had
been killed several hours then"
"And nobody knows who done ity'
Pap shook his head.
WAS nobody suSpectedY'
The old man turned away and began
to thump his cane against the ground.
but he made no reply. Sim saw that
Pap's action meant something. and he
began to put few things together. lie
remembered that he had gone into
those woods with his gun about the
time the killing must have occurred
and then had disappeared He remem-
bered also the threat he had made that
day in Mrs. Mann's wheatfield. Re
calling these things and noting Pap's
behavior, he was quick enough to sus-
pect the truth. Pale, but firm. ne said:
Pap, was anybody suspected of Kill
In Melviny''
The old man hesitated still. but final
ly he replied:
Thar mought "a been. Sim: yes. I'm
afeard thar mought "a been. But,
Sim, l amt never suspected nobody"
81 know, Pap. But who did the 9th
ers suspectT
Again Sims companion leaned eager
ly forward and seemed to await Pap's
reply. After short pause the old man
said slowly:
You know. Sim, thar's allus some
people ready 60 suspect anything bad
OF body II they've got ghost OF
reason. lies go on home. Sim.
guess you must be tired an hungry"
the truth"
'oh, Lord. Sim. I can't tell you no
more"
Yes, you can tell me who was sus-
pected."
I'D ruther not"
Then it's true, Pap. 1t Is meg"
Pap remained silent
Tell me-" Sim insisted, ''is Il meY'
I'm afeard so, Sim; yes, I'm afeard
thRrs some as thinks it was you. But
don't think IT"
Sim had known what was coming,
but Pap's admission was n hard blow
for all that. His head dropped, and an
expression OF bitter pain came over his
features Pap saw and understood
and, placing his hand on Sims shoul-
der. said consolingly:
But / don't b1ieve IL. Sim, an no
bodyn ever make me b'lieve II for
minute II they sw'ar TO 1t on stack OF
Bibles-never"
The old mans act and words did Sim
good. 1t was great comfort to know
that he had one true friend at least.
"I know, Pap" he said, that can
always trust you. You'll stand by me
to the last"
That's what will, Sim, cause
know you're not guilty"
AN thaTs Others" Sim said.
'Thar's Sam Morgan an Jason Rob
erts. They'll never blieve me guilty
either, will they, Papr
Pap was seriously troubled, and he
showed It.
"Sim," he said, 81 know you uns
must be tired an hungry. Les go on
home an talk afterwards"
mo" Sim replied; II want to know
the truth. the whole bitter truth. So
Sam an Jason blieve me guiltyDf such
a terrible crime as thatT'
II dunno" Pap answered. "They
don't want TO b'lieve it, Sim. I know
they don't want to blieve It,"
But they do" Sim said, with a sigh
OF resignation. WAL, so be 1t. An
Loueesy"-
Pap raised his hand instantly, and
beam of pleasure lighted his face,
mo, SIM" he interrupted, 'vdh't you
say that Loueesy don't b'hNze 1t an
never has b'lieved It, whenNke first
heard you accused, she said II was
lie, an she's stuck to it from that day
to this"
Thank God?' Sim cried fervently.
IF she don't b'lieve 1t, 1 don't care
what anybody else thinks"
''She don't, Sim. I'm tellin you the
| Gods truth. She don't. An now we've
said enough for this time, so les go on
home"
But Sim did not move. and he had
become deeply thoughtful After a lit
| tie he said:
Il don't know what l had best do.
This is all SO new an unexpected to
me that 1 can't jest see my way clear.
IL stop here, III be arrested"
In his excitement Pap Sampson had
forgotten this, but he knew it was true.
If Sims presence in the village became
known, he would certainly be arrested,
and then the gallows, or at least the
state prison, would no dqph await