The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-01-21

ytm nodded and placed small PACK
age on the table. AS he did SO he no
ticed photograph which he had NOT
seen before. Taking it up he ex-
amired it critically.
"A good face" he said, approvfngly,
II reckon he's a man worth knowing"
He is indeed!" warmly. II wish
you could meet him, Jim. ] am sure
that you and he would like each
other"
Some of your folks?"
"N-no, not exactly" delicate flush
coming into her face. 81 expect he will
be my husband sometime. He is In
Europe now, finishing his studies
The photograph fell to the floor. She
sprang toward it with a quick cry. but
as she looked into his face the impa-
tient words died on her lips.
why, Jim! IL didn't know.
never thought" she began. Then she
stopped. Words were so inadequate.
Jim turned and walked to window.
When he came back his face was calm.
Il reckon you'll like the specimens"
he said, simply. ''They are the most
interesting | have found. No, not
now" as she was about to open the
package II must be going"
$50 soon?'
"Yes-and I'll say goodbye. Likely
we shall not see each other again.
must go off somewhere long way,
reckon. l hope everybody will be
right good to you"
She did not speak. She could only
give him her hand and look at him
through gathering tears. When he left
she went to the window and watched
him go down the street And she no.
ticed that he never turned to look back.
He went directly to the Office. Mr..
Jackson was out, the boy said.
! Jim waited ten minutes. and then
walked slowly down the street When
he reached the railroad crossing he
turned up the track. He wished to
ask the agent some questions.
AS he approached the station he saw
familiar figure slipping hurriedly
around a corner of the building. Think
| ing that he had not been seen, Jim
went around the other way and met
him face to face.
Il was looking for you, Mr.. Jackson"
he said. 81 won't bother you to keep
the money any longer"
Jackson coughed nervously.
Hover much do you want?" be
asked
I'm going off and will take it all"
Jackson whitened perceptibly. Then
he drew a small roll of bills from his
pocket and handed it to Jim.
Here are $780," he said. with short
laugh. Its every cent have in the
world" He liesitated little, and then
added harshly: Il was going away
myself, never to return"
Jim looked at him gravely.
How about Miss Jackson?" he
asked.
The man threw up his arms despair.
ingly.
What could I do?" he groaned. "If
| remained 1t would be criminal prose.
cution. l thought that by going away
| could save her part of the disgrace"
/ Jltu tOOh uiIu ny tnC Al ohu leu niAu
to one of the benches.
Now tell me all about it," he com.
| manded.
There is little to tell,' irritably.
when the bank closed all had left
was in real estate. My creditors grew
impatient, and tried to pay them.
Some pieces of land / sold for half
what they cost me, others could not
sell at all. Then took your money
stole 1t, if you like" bitterly. II
thought could recover myself before
you called for it,"
The cloud left Jim's face.
Am the only creditor you have?'
Eyes, but you are enough. Fifty
thousand dol,arsi Why, all my land
would not sell for one-fifth that
amount"
Jim did not answer. He was look
ing across the mountains; and as he
looked all the dreaminess and indeci-
sion went out of his eyes, never more
to return.
Selecting one bill from the small
i roll, he put it in his pocket, the rest
he handed back. you've got Miss
Jackson to look after and will need il
more than I. Time it's gone your
business will likely come round all
right again"
"And-do you not intend to prose
cute me?" wonderingly.
mo, only you're never to tell Miss
Jackson about it. Just say you saw
me and told me good-by."
Jackson rose TREMENDOUSLY to his feet
Where are you going, JIM"
81 don't know. / reckon there's
something cut out for me somewhere
and that I'll find it. I couldn't be sat
isfied to go back in the woods and live