The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-01-24
CHAPTER XI.-(Continued.)

There was something so melancholy,
20 detected in the young mans man
ner, something so forlorn, that Jacks
attention was riveted upon his race,
and the next moment he was in the
grip of Foster, who had sprung upon
him from behind and pinned him to
the floor. his hand upon his throat. be-
fore Jack had time to realize what had
happened.
Parker had suddenly come to Jacks
aid, and Foster the next moment was
as helpless as Jack had been.
ut was his own fault" said Parker,
.you should not trifle with desperate
men,"
His blood boiling at the treachery
of Foster. Jack struck him a blow in
the face that sent him staggering to
the other end of the room, and brought
in the landlord.
1T is nothing" said Parker, "only
j little tussle for a wager.
That's ALL" said the coward Fos-
ter, wiping the blood from his face.
Hand over your pistols to your COM
panion,' said Jack, addressing Foster,
when the landlord had disappeared,
land sit over yonder. | can trust Par
ker and don't mind if he does pistol
me; he has done worse to me, ana
might as well finish his work; but you,
you God forsaken coward, I'll tear thee
limb from limb if we come together
once again"
Foster handed his pistols to Parker,
who laid them upon the table and said;
Young man, there is no word bad
enough in your mouth for you to use
against me; am all you have called
my companion, but the difference be-
tween us is, that suffer from remorse
and he does not; that / did love, do
love, and shall love to the last, the
woman who has had the misfortune to
meet me on my way to commit-not
the murder of Bellingham, but the
robbery
"Bellingham!" exclaimed Jack, was
1t Bellingham! Great God! One of
the best AID bravest men in the whole
country. Was it Bellingham! What
have l done in all my life that Fate
should place you in my hands, and
that l should be bound to let you 60"
Then you did not know who the
man was?"
mot |, nor she; it was enough for
her that murder had been done and
that you were implicated"
How did she know that?"
"By your hat
4 "Well," said Barker, for the first
time deeply interested, and how came
she to see the hat?"
She was in the abbey; you passed
her hiding place carrying the body.
Your hat fell at her feet; she picked
it up"
"She in the abbey" exclaimed Par
ker.
Yes, beneath the elder tree in the
aisle"
when we passed carrying the
body?"
Yes said Jack. 1T was a wager;
they said she burst not so to the alb
hey in the storm. She went; she was
standing by a favorite seat of hers
when she heard voices, saw what |
have said, and, knowing you to be one
of -well-murderers, she had faith
enough in me-in me, Of all men-to
be her messenger to you to warn you
from the country, to get you beyond
the seas. And now my job is done;
she'll know all in good time as it Is
done. And so l wish you goodnight"
'Stay moment" said Parker, de-
tanning him. But l can send her no
message by you; l will take it myself"
"Then you'll swing for it, l make no
doubt" said Jack. I've no more to
say" Whereupon he strobe out of the
room as he came. went into the bar,
called for a drink, had his horse re-
freshed with warm mash, and rode
away.
Its all up, Foster. Save yourself,
don't mind me. Fate is against u.s."
''Your own cursed folly" said Fos-
ter.
Eyes, the folly that trusted the word
of q liar such as you" responded the
remorseful confederate. "Begone, Fos-
ter, or may do you mischief; save
yourself. Give no further thought of
me-"
Shall go alone?"
"Alone, or with what other company
you choose but without me-"
"Your share of the money" said
Foster. II am not quite so bad as you
make me. Here it Isl
Keep it, Foster. l honor in you
that one emotion of honesty. Forgive
me if seem to suggest you are worse
than l."
out his hand. Report me well to the
boys; bid them seek fresh occupation,
or a better leader than Gentleman
Dick"
Goodbye, and a better frame of
mind to you," was all Foster said, as
he left the room, went to the stable,
ordered his horse. paid his bill, and
started on his way, glad to get outside