The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-09-09
Our Daily Sbort Story

| leaned over to knock the ashes off his | cigar. The movement caused the re- volver to drop out of the pocket of the light coat he wore. Swiftly the out law leaped and secured the prize. The Keen eyes of Balfour dwelt steadily on his enemy's exultant face, but he did not change his position. The candle l in the niche fiared up brightly for an !. Instant, and went out. In that mo- obtained a good view of the placid | lcountenance across the cell and some l thing he read there made it impossible to kill this man in cold blood. He tossed the revolver back on the couch. T don't have to have an advantage to get the better of you," he said, con 1 temptuously.
 Balfour threw away his cigar and stood up. Had the light been suffi- cient the outlaw might have noticed 0 wonderful change in his features.
 Jake, I want you to listen to me-" he said.
 There was a new note in the voice that caused the prisoner to raise his head, and to try, to pierce the gloom with his narrow eyes.
 What I'm going to tell you now, Jake" Balfour went on. earnestly, "is the Gods truth. I told you I was in Santa Fe this week. While there I lodged with Brother Tom. who runs that fruit store on the plaza. The other night his baby girl was taken sick. The medicine men couldn't do 1t any good, and hope went out. An old lady from across the street came over and picked up the kid. She ex- amined it a bit and then fixed up something on the fireplace. Tn less than ten minutes the child was asleep In her arms and the danger was over. Tom and his wife begged her so hard that she agreed to stay at the house the balance of the night. She was given a room adjoining mine. The transom over the door was open. Be- fore she retired she said her prayers. and after pleading for mankind in gem eral. I'm blest if she didn't pray for me in particulari That woman was the mother of Margaret and of Lone- some Jake, the outlawr'
 The outlaw breathed heavily. He he'd returned to his window, and his beady eyes were peering through the bars at the hot bricks and walls form ing the limitations of liberty for those entitled to some mercy.
 'T will tell you what she said," re- sumed the public prosecutor, Aor I climbed up on a chair and held my face to the opening. She was on her knees at the bed. and her fine gray hair waved down her hack like q cascade of silver. Almighty God! Pity, love and protect my absent boy! Keep him from harm and from evil ways. Shield him, watch over him and guide him in the path leading to Thy throne on high, in the name of our blessed Lord and Master!''
 As Baifour was repeating the moth- CTS invocation he slowly glided over to the prisoner and laid his hand gently on his shoulder. Lonesome Jake's' face was resolutely turned to the window, and the prosecutor could only guess at the effect by the twitching of the shoulder.
 Let's you and me make another try for 1t, eh, Jake?' he said.
 The outlaw suddenly wheeled around and held out two hairy paws.
 Take 'em. Dick" he said. the voice husky, with a new feeling. When you meet the old mother again tell her the prayer came to her outlaw son, and that then and there he struck out on the new trail for her sake"
 "Ill do it," said the prosecutor, ear nestly. as his gray eyes glowed With tenderness for this wounded lion of the dungeon; land I'll give you the cash to make q decent start in life. Now, as to Margie-"
 The prisoner started quickly. as if stricken by a powerful blow, and the face went hard and cold again. Bal four continued:
 We will be married next week, If she'll forgive me told her that yes terday, and she said she would be guided by her mothers advice"
 The vespers rang out from the tower of the great cathedral, named after a blessed old saint. lond dead. but yet held in tender memory. The law violators in the yard were lined up by guards with muskets. and marched into the gloomy prison. dash of cool air came down from the mountains like a benediction on the heart of man for enduring the furnace-like heat of the day The lock in the dungeon slid along it's rusty way ana the chains per. formed their mournful chime. Jose. with fresh candle. peered in, and rub bed his eyes. The representative of the law and the outlaw were sitting side by side on the cot, their shoulders almost touching and ooth enjoying fragrant Havanas. The situation i'm dicated an understanding-poss a conspiracy.
 "Bv the black bones of Commodore cortez! exclaimed the astonished turn key; ''I've half a mind to keep both you fellers in!"