The Washington times., 1902-01-19

| gruesome. The waves, here and there
showing their white crests. appeared to
ms excited imaginat tion like so many Hy-
ing spirits. The bushes rustled; he stood
still, his heart in his mouth. Once he
| turned back, listening in fear to his own
FOOTBALLS Then gripping his basket more
hrmiy he pressed on, determined neither
to see nor hear anything
He went directly to the largest cottage
ana stepped on the broad veranda. For
a moment he stood irreselute The wind
among the branches sounded like human
! 'pces. He was afraid; afraid OF the
! night, of himself, of the work he had
/ come to do. Satisfied that he was alone.
! he approached window The shutter
was easily put aside. and the window
rais once inside. his heart beat fast
lie was confused and faint. Striking a
match. that deepeneG the darkness. he
found small lamp, and lighted it,
! He did not fear detection. but he
! stopped at every turn. terrified at the
sound of his own boots on the hardwood
floor. a startled rat darted between his
! feet; he nearly dropped the lamp. The
wind blew the ioosened shutter down: he
quickly put out the light. and breath
lessly listened. Assured that no one was
there, he again lighted the lamp, and
holding his trembling hand before it he
entered tne large StOrerOOm.
Yes here was flour and meal. pork and
beans, tea and coffee, and other groceries
in quantities. He leaned against the
door and looked at the store. They need
ed so little. Pork and meal meant life
and happiness, and he had come to steal
it. The thought sent a shiver down his
hack. He denied that it was theft. Ter
keep US off tn town" he said, as If max
ing an apology to himself as he filled
the bags and basket with the articles
most necessary. He did not act like
thief. There was large pocket knife on
the shelf; he had lost his. but he did not
take it. A great deal of fishing tackle
was in a corner; he needed 1t, but he
left 1t untouched.
On the sideboard was generous supply
Of tobacco. Tom liked tobacco. and had
had none for n week. but he resisted the
temptation. piece was in his hand; he
smelled OF 1t; his mouth involuntarily
opened, but he left the tobacco. blew out
the light, closed the shutter. and started
for home. He felt a thrill of Joy, for
he had food for the family. How could
he make fine distinctions?' "Th family
won't have ter go onto tn town" This
one thought put all others aside. Every
return step was taken in fear, yet his
heart was light. All untaught. and con-
fused by the stress of immediate want !
he ala not see the moral bearing OF MS /
act. That he should not be found out
was the sum Of his ethical sense.
Trembling with excitement, he cau
tiously entered his home, and noiselessly |
stole to bed; but not to sleep. He was 4 |
thief. He knew it. He could hear it in ,
the murmur of the sea. The beating OF |
his heart seemed telling it to the world, /
and in a vague way he thought that God
knew it; but he was not afraid of God. ,
His experience had taught him to fear ,
only the real and the seen. /
In the early morning his mother found
him by the fire in the kitchen. he vylIej .
all direct questions until the FRO ion I
were discovered in the shed TrrI I-e
lied. He had not meant to lie; hg had
meant to tell the truth. but he couldn't.
She stood before him with the basket in
her hand and a look of wonder and dis
tress on her face.
TON, who done this?"
Dunno. Where'd ye git it?''
"In tn shed Tom, ye done it, ye did"
"Yes, IL done It, l went ter tn store
arter ye went ter bed las night"
A look of suspicion darkened her face,
passing instantly to leave it white.
"Ye couldn't never gone ter tn store;
'taint been open in TIL night
She set the basket down and placed her
hands on his shoulders.
Tom Jones, ye've put us onter TIL
town. Don't tell me ye hain't. Don't lie
Ter me- Ye've put us onter tn town.
In her growing passion she pushed the