Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-31

spun dress toward the gate and her
arms were around his neck again!
81 can't let you go, child! Lord have
mercy! He's the last!'' And the low, pitt
full sobs!
Come, come, now Ma, we must get
away from here before the officers are
after him."
Just a minutep'
"A kiss, and then another long and lin
gering. A sigh, and then a smothered
choking cry from a mothers broken heart
and he was gone!
Thus Texas grew into the imperial COM
monwealth Of the south.
To save appearance Mcleod was re-
moved to Independence with the other
prisoners, and in a short time released,
with a number of olneEs against whom
Insignificant charges were lodged.
When he returned to Hambright the
people looked at him with suspicion.
How IS 1t, young man." asked the
preacher, "that you are at home so soon,
while brave boys are serving terms in
northern prisonS?"
Had nothing against me-" he replied.
That's strange, when Sam Worth swore
that you organized the raid to kill Rufe
baltimore"
''They didn't believe him"
''Well, I've an idea that you saved your
hide by puking. I'm not sure yet, but in
formation was given that only the man
In command Of the whole county could
have possessed"
There were a haIf-dozen men who
knew as much ash did. You mustn't think
me capable of such a thing, DR.. Durham!"
protested Mcleod with heightened color.
TITS a nasty suspicion. I'd rather see a
child Of mine transformed into cur dog,
Co. al m
the level Of such a man. But only time
will prove the issue"
1--WE made up my mind to turn over 4
new leaf" said Mcleod. I'm sick of
rowdyism. I'm going TO De law-abiding,
loyal citizen"
That's just what I'm afraid OFF, ex-
claimed the preacher with sneer as he
turned and left him.
And HIS fears were soon confirmed
Within q month the Independence OBJ
server contained dispatch from Wash
ington announcing the appointment of
Allan Mcleod a deputy United States
marshal for the district Of western North
Carolina, together with the information
that he mad renowned his allegiance to
MS old disloyal associates, and had be-
come an enthusiastic Republican, and
that hencefortb he would labor with
might and main to establish peace and
further tho industrial progress Of the
II knew FL The dirty whelpr' cried the
the preacher, as he showed the paper to
his wife
Now don't be too hard on the boy, Doc
tor Durham" urged his wife. HE may be
sincere in his change of politics. You new
er did like him.
"sincere! yes, as the devil is always
sincere. He's dead in earnest now. He's
found his level, and his success is sure.
Mark my words the boys a villain from
the crown of his head to the soles Of his
feet He has bartered his soul to save
his skin, and the skin is all that's left"
'Im sorry to think =. couldn't help
liking him."
"And that's the funniest freak ever
knew your fancy to take, my dear-I new
er could understand It."
When Mcleod had established his Of
flee in Hambright he made special efforts
to allay the suspicious against his name.
His indignant denials Of the report of his
treachery convinced many that he had
been wronged. Two men alone, maintain
ed toward him an attitude of contempt,
Major Cameron and the preacher.
He called on Mrs. Durham. and with his
smooth tongue convinced her that he had
been foully slandered. She urged him to
win the doctor. Accordingly he called to
talk the question over with the preacher
and ask him for a fair chance to build
his character untarni5hed in the commu-
nifty.
The preacher heard him through pa
tiently, but in silence. Allan was perspir-
ing before he reached the end of his plaus-
ible explanation. 1t was a tougher task
than he thought, this deliberate lying,
under the gaze Of those glowing black
eyes that looked out from their shaggy
brows and pierced through his Utmost
soul.
you've got an oily tongue. 1t will carry
you a long way in this world. can't
help admiring the skill with which you
are fast learning to use it, You've fooled
Mrs. Durham with it, but you can't fool
me-" said the preacher.
Doctor, solemDly swear to you am
not guilty"
IT'S no use to add perjury to plain ly-
ing. know you cid II. I know II as well
as If were present in the Jail and heard
you basely betray the men, name by
name, whom you had lured to their ruin -
Doctor, swear you are Mistaken
bah! Don't talk about it. You nauseate
met
The preacher sprang to his feet, paced
across the floor, sat down on the edge Of
his table and glared at Mcleod for a mo-
nlent An then with his voice low and