The Washington times., 1906-08-05


Mr.. Burge looked puzzled IN his
turn. why, hasn't Brother Clark
told YOU about me?' he inquired.
Mr.. Higgs shook his head. He sort
of-suggested that-that you had been
little bit wild before you came 10
u.s." he murmured apOlogetically.
"A - little - bit - wild?" repeated
Brother Burge. in Mortified accents.
Me? a little bit wild?"
mo doubt he exaggerated a little.
said the jeweler hurriedly. Being
such a good man himself. no doubt
things would seem wild TO him that
wouldn't 10 us-to me, l mean.
~ little bit wild" said his visitor
again. Sam Burge. the Converted
Burglar. a little bit wild Well. well!'
Converted what?" shouted the jew
elor, half rising from his chair.
Burglar" said the other shortly.
"Nhy. / should think ! know more
about the inside o. jails than anybody
In England; I've pretty near Killed
three policemen, besides breaking Il
gents leg and throwing a footman
out OF window. and then Brother
CLARK goes and says I've been a little
bit wild. 1 wonder what he would
aver
But you-you've quite reformed
now?" said the Jeweler, resumlng MS
seat and making a great effort TO hide
his CONSERVATION.
Il 'ope So" said Mr.. Burge, with
alarming humility but it's an un-
certain world, and far be II from me
10 boast. That's why I've come here.
Mr.. Higgs. only half comprehendlng'
sat back gasping.
If 1 can stand this, pursued
Brother Burge. gesticulating wildly in
the direction of the shop, If 1 can
stand being here with ali these ere
pretty little things To be 'ad for the
trouble of picking OF EN- up, 1 can
stand anything. Tempt me, 1 says TO
Brother Clark. Put me Ia the way o
temptation. 1 says. Let me see
whether the Evil one or me is the
strongest: let me ave a good old up
and down with the Powers o Dark
ness and see who wins"
Mr.. Higgs, gripping the edge OF the
table with both hands. gazed At this
new Michael IN speechless consterna-
tiOn.
Il think ! see his face now" said
Brother Burge. with tender enthu~
siasm. "All in a glow II was. and he
patted me on the shoulder and says:
IN send you on a weeks mission 10
DunCombe.' he says. and you shall
stop with Brother Higgs. who as a
shop full o. cunning wrought vanities
In silver and gold
But suppose" said the jeweler.
finding his voice by a great effort
suppose victory is not given unto
you?"
1T won't make any difference re-
Piled his visitor. Brother Clark
promised that II shouldn't. II you
fail. Brother. he says. wen help ycu
up again. When you are tired of sin
come back TO us-there's always a
welcome
But" began the dismayed jewel
er
I'VE can only DO our best" said
Brother Burge, the rest We must
leave. / ave glrded my loiTs for the
fray and taken much spiritual sus-
tenance on the way down from this
little hymn-book.
Mr.. HiRgs paid no heed, He sat
marveling over the fatuousness OF
Brother Clark and trying to think OF
ways and means out OF :he dilemma
into which that gentleman's per
verted enthusiasm had placed him. He
wondered whether 81 would be possible
to induce Brother BuTge TO sleep else
where by offering TO bear his hotel
expenses. and at last. after some hesi-
Jation. bToaChed the subject.
What" exclaimed the other, push
ing his plate from him and regarding
him with great severity. Go and sleep
at a hotel? After Brother Clark has
been and took all this trouble? Why,
wouldn't think Of doing such a thing"
Brother Clark has no right 20 ex-
pose you 10 such a trial. said Mr..
Hlggs with great warmth.
Il wonder what he'd say If he card
yOu." remarked Mr.. Burge sternly.
After his going and making all these
arrangements, for you to try and go
and upset en-. To ask me TO shun the
fight like a coward; to ask me to go
and hide IN the rear ranks in a hotel
with everything locked up. or a Golfer
Palls with nothing 10 steal"
Il should sleep far more comforta-
bly, II knew that YOU were not under
going this tremendous strain" said the
unhappy Mr.. Higgs. and besides that.
if you did give way. Il would be a serj-
ous business for me-thats what l
want YOU to look at I am afraid that
is--if unhappily you did fan. 1 couldu';
prevent you"
I'm sure YOU couldn't" said the
other cordially. That's the beauty nf
IL. that's when the Evil Ones whispers
get louder and louder. Why, could
choke you between my finger and
taumb II unfortunately my fallen
nature should be too strong for ne.
don't interfere whatever you do.
mightnt be myself"
Mr. Higgs rose and faced him gasp
ing. Not even-caH for-the police-I
suppose" he jerked out
That would be interfering" SAID
Brother Burge coldly
the jeweler tried to think. II was
past II. The housekeeper had gone 10
spend the night with an ailing sister,
and a furlive glance at Brother Burgess
small. shifty eyes and fat unwhole-
some face was sufficient to deter
him from leaving him alone with
his property, while he went 10
ask the police 10 siye an eye
10 his house for the night. Be
sides. il was more than probable that
Mr. purge would decline TO allow such
a proceeding. With a growing sense of