Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1904-02-27

punishment here, rather than submit
to trial in court bringing disgrace
upon the family
'''It is all a base lie. 1 have not been
in Grants store for a month. and for
you to believe me guilty of such a
thing is ineomprehensible.'
g Confess, confess, he cried; 4 do
believe it. You were seen there by
Grants son. He saw you open the
drawer
Il swear that l did not, and if con-
fessed, as you command me to,
should be a liar, like him and his ia
ther.'
Then you young scroundrel,' he
said, his anger at white heat. 4 shall
whip you until you confess the truth.
You shall go to Grant and confess it
to him, also, and pay back every farth-
ing
He dragged me from the floor, and
picking up the strap that mad fallen
near by, beat me so fiercely that l al
most ceased to feel the pain, crying
out, savagely, confess-confess, or l
will kill you
Il was exhausted from pain, and
stunned by all that had happened. One
glance at his face showed me that he
l sunk to the floor, fainting.
Il do not know how long l remained
unconscious; but when 1 regained my
senses 1 was alone. l tried to realize
what had happened. 1 tried to stand
and finally managed to reach the door.
1t was locked.
"Too weary to stand and knock
and knowing that it would be useless
1 laid down upon the floor and slept
from very WEAKNESS and pain. When
l awoke it was night, and the house
was very still. l managed to climb
out of the window, and escaped with
out being noticed, and went direct to
the hospital, where l have been for
the past ten days.
After left the hospital 1 wandered
about, trying to find a spot where ]
might feel at rest. The churchyard
seemed the most peaceful, so 1 sat
down on a tombstone and looked over
paper which 1 had picked up in town.
1 read of a vessel being loaded at the
port, and made up my mind to sail
with her if it was possible, so l sent
you the note asking that you meet me
here, for l felt that you could help
me-"
u think 1 can help you. Arthur"
said. Il knew that the ship was in
port. and the captain Is relative OF
my fathers. YOU shall have a letter
from me to introduce you, and when
you meet him, tell him your story"
He pressed my hand to his lips. and
with tears in his eyes, bade me good
| by, and FASTENED away.
/ heard of the ships departure. and
that he had found friend in the cap
| tain; heard no more for some weeks
then came the terrible news that the
ship had blown up and all hands lost
! The investigation of Arthur's crime
had been going on for some time. Sew
eral lawyers had become interested il
the matter, which they handled wit.
much delicacy and kindness. The re
ward came, just with the tidings of tn,
| destruction of the ship.
1t rested with me to see DIR. West
field and acquaint him with the dread
full news of the disaster and the los
of Arthur-as he had refused to evel
hear his sons name mentioned. an,
knew nothing of his movements
1 entered his study, unannounce,
and stood before him.
Or Westfield," 1 said, ct came t
inform you that your son, your onl,
son, grieved, wounded and wronged Ii
body and spirit, but brave, noble
manly and faithful to the last, sale,
ON the steamship-two weeks ago, an
that news has just been received tia