The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-18
BY Irving Bachelor

Don't forget said he; ,.you have
many friends or / should not be able
| to tell you these things. Keep them to
| yourself and go to work OF course
1 you will be able to prove your limo
cence.'
81 thank you with all my heart" said
| Trove.
AYE; twas friendly" the old man
remarked, taking the boys hand
4 have to put my trust in Tunk, the
poor liar." said Trove when they were
alone.
NO" Darrell answered quickly.
"yyere We drowning ye might as well
lay hold of a straw. Trust in thy hon
or; it is enough"
Lets go and see Polly" said the
young man.
AYE, she O. the sweet heart" said
the tinker. We'll go at once
They left the shop. and ON every
street they travelled there were groups
of men gossiping. Some nodded, others
turned away, as the two passed. Dick
Roberts met them at the door of the
house where Polly boarded.
Il wish to see Miss Vaughn" said
Trove coolly.
"She is ILL.," said Roberts
Gould I not see her for a moment?'
Trove inquired.
NO
us she very sick?''
Very
Darrell came close to Roberts He
looked sternIy at the young man.
Boy said he with great dignity,
day We shall be clothed with shame"
They We're strange words" Troye
thought, as they walked away in ST.
lence, and when they had come to the.
little shop it was growing dusk.
'What have I done to bring this up
on me and my friends?' said Trove,
sinking into chair.
cit is what 1 have DONE" said Oar
rel, "an' now 1 take the mantle o. thy
shame. Rise, boy, an hold up thy
head"
The old man stood erect by the side
of the young man.
"See, 1 am as tall an broad as thou
art
He went to an old chest and got cap
and drew it down upon his head, push
ing his gray hair under it. Then he
took from his pocket red bandanna
handkerchief. figured with cabin, ty-
ing it over his face. He turned, look
ing at Trove through two square holes
in the handkerchief,
Behold the robber." said he.
you know who is the robber %
Trove inquired.
Darrell raised the handkerchief and
flung it back upon his head.
"'Tis Roderick Darrell said he, his
hand now on the shoulder Of the young
man.
For moment both stood looking into
each others eyes
What joke is this, my friend?"
Troye whispered.
Il speak not lightly, boy. If where
We thought were honor an good faith
there be only guilt an shame, can We
believe in goodness?'
For his answer there were silence
and the ticking Of the clocks.
Surely ye can an WILL" said the old
man, 'for there is the goodness o. thy
own heart. All. boy, though I have it
not, remember that I loved honor an
have sought to fill thee with it. This |
night l go where We cannot follow"
The tinker turned, hating a pendu-
ium. /
Trove groaned as he spoke. 80 man, |
tell me, quickly, what do you mean"
THAT God hath laid his hand upon I
me-" said Darrell sternly. II cannot /
see thee suffer, boy, when I am the
guilty one. O Redeemer o. the world,
haste me, haste me, now to punish
ment!"
The young man staggered, like one
dazed by the shock of a blow, stepped
backward and partly fell on a lounge.
You. you will confess and go to
PRISON. he whispered.
Fair soul,'' said the old man, strik-
ing the boys head, 'think not O me.
Where l go there be iowers-Iovely
fowers-an' music an the bards an
prophets. Though 1 go to punishment,
still am in the Blessed Isles"
You are doing it to save me- Trove
taking the hand Of the old
man. I'll not permit it. I'll go to
prison first"
Am I SO great a fool, think We, as
to claim an evil that is not mine? An
would We keep in me the burning o.
,emorSe when l seek to quench it? l
warn thee, NEEDLE not with the bust
hess o me soul. That is between the
kreat God an me-
Darrell stood to his full height the
red handkerchief covering his head and
falling on his back. He began with
-one of contempt that changed quick
y into one of sharp command. There
vas little silence. then a quick rap.
Come in,'' Darrell shouted as he let
he handkerchief fall upon his face
again.
The district attorney. q constable and
he bank clerk, who had been injured
he night of the robbery. came in.
He is not guilty." said Trove, rising.
II command We. boy, be silent.' said
Darrell sternly.
Have ye ever seen that hand?" he
dded. approaching the clerk and point
10 at n red mark as large as a dime
II the back OF his Left hand.
Yes the clerk answered. with sur