The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1902-11-08

r1ously, her face was calm. She pre-
tended to have missed wholly the i'm
port of his last words and she said: .
| But surely to man like you man,
countries offer many fields. With you
youth and strength and intelligenc
there is almost nothing beyond you
achievement. Is it impossible for 70,
to remember what you once we're ant
strive to be that man again? Cal
you not stir the dead ashes of you
ambitions and, finding one small spark
stir it into flame? Can you not say tx
yourself: In spite of past errors, pas
offenses, past crimes, perhaps, I still
| am l., and my life is all before me tt
make or mar as l will Don't you
know the Hnes-Henley's think: q
am the Master of my fate, I am the
Captain of my soul?"
More beautiful than ever, she plead
| ed with him for his own redemption
! and it seemed to her that she must
| win, because she desired it so. His
next words, however, were lifeless and
the fire died in her:
II might do that thing if it were
worth while, but it is not. In all this
world, Miss English, there is no one
to be benefited by my morality except
myself, and for myself care nothing.
I shall attempt to escape in all prob
ability, but merely to avoid the physi-
cal punishment for my wrong-doing.
For the disgrace of that punishment I
care little. I could hardly be more dis
graced than I am. The prison garb is
warm in winter. I shall wear it, may
be, without a qualm."
"That is not true!' She spoke
sharply, almost angrily.
*"Thank you for the denial. Never
theless it is measurably true. The
outcast, Miss English, lifts his hand
against all men and the hands of all
men are lifted against him. Other men
make him suffer, but they can do little
to make him ashamed. They have al
ready branded him by their reproba-
ton and pursuit, and fashioning his
clothing according to certain pattern
and cut seem trivial in comparison.
Let me say, however, that you used
just now word which I must repu-
date. You told mellow beautifully
/ alone know-that I might raise my
self in spite of past errors, past Of
lenses, past crimes Errors I have
many-what man has not? offenses I
have committed-few men are blame
less; but no crime, done, attempted or
intended, can be laid to my charge"
"Yet," she said bravely, though it
hurt her sorely, ""you were with the
band which crossed the river to loot
Glynn's cattle. What is cattle-theft
but crime?"
He flushed deeply, but his voice was
even and his eyes still kindly as he re-
piled:
'That learned for the first time in
talking to Quirino here. I was told
by Vavara that the object of the ex-
petition was to cross a large quantity
with another part Of his men further
down the river during the three
months I have been with him and
know nothing of his alleged CATTLE
lifting operations. The expedition of
the other night was the first which we
have undertaken jointly. am a SNUG
gler, Miss English-or rather have
been smuggler-but am not thief,
or a murderer. I would not haye re-
turned to Vavara under any circuf1-
stances, and what I have heard here
has only strengthened my determina-
tion.''
She leaned forward, her eyes shin
ing, happy smile playing upon her
lips. It was, only for an instant, how
ever, and he, gazing absently through
the window, had not caught her look
She put her hand to her mouth to hide
its expression and asked demurely:,
"And isn't smuggling crime?"
He did not turn toward her as he re-
piled: Hardly SO, believe There is
confinement penalty attached to it,
but it is not always enforced. In the
case of smugglers of diamonds or other
Jewels it is usual to confscate the
gems and inflict a fine: I am perfectly
willing to admit that it is an immoral
way Of gaining livelihood, made so
by law. AS for serious harm done to
any sentient thing, there isn't any.
The government is defrauded Of q. tar
III which it: has placed on the goods.
The people to whom the goods are sold
at 9 reduced rate are, to some extent,
benefited. There is, OF course, some
harm worked to the legitimate dealer
in'such commod ities, but that is only
because the government has s forced
him to pay a tariff: However, right
1s right and wrong Isl wrong and cas-
uiisttry wont alter it. Smuggling is
forbidden by law and IL wrong, NJ have
followed It TOR three mo ths, not forl
gai1nl-I cared nothing about TIL go But
Tor the xcitement that came from
the. peril sof II. have seen YOU and 8
shall a smuggle no more. Having seen
you shlal i've IA utter reputab leness
OF shall not live. have told You YOU
THAT could not dssecrate your oll mem
lz trod ]. Il anserou,