Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-23

whispered, taking the hand or the old
 man. "I'll not permit 1t. I'll 60 to prison first"
 Am I 50 great a fool, think ye, as
 to claim an evil that Is not mine2 An
 would ye keep in me the burning O remorss when seek to quench 1t?
 warn thee, meddle not with the busi- ln4ss O me soul. That is between the great Gsd an me-"
 Darrel stood to his full height, the red handkerchief covering his head and falling on his back. He began with . tone of contempt that changed quick ly into one of sharp command. There was little silence, then quick rap.
 Come in," Darrel shouted as he let the handkerchief fall upon his face again.
 The district attorney, constable and the bank clerk, who had been injured the night of the robbery, came in.
 He is not guilty" said Trove. rising.
 T command ye, boy, be silent" said Darrel sternly.
 Have ye ever seen that hand?" he added, approaching the clerk and point ing at red mark as large as dime on the back of bis left hand
 "Yes," the clerk answered. with sur prise. looking from hand to handker- chief; then, turning to the lawyer, he added, This is the man.
 Now" Darrel continued, rolling up his sleeve, "I'll show where thy bullet struck me in the left arm. See; there it scared the lesh!'
 They saw scar, quite an inch long, midway from band to elbow.
 "Do you mean to say that you are guilty of this crime?" the attorney asked.
 q am guilty and ready for punish ment," Darrel answered. Now, dis charge the boy"
 Tomorrow" said the attorney. That Is for the court to do"
 Darrell went to Trove. who now sat weeping. his face upon his hands.
 "Oh. the great rivers O tears" said Darrel. touching the boys head. Be yond 1t are the green shores of happi- ness, an have crossed, an soon shalt thou. Stop, boy; it i'll becomes thee. There is dear, dear child whose heart is breaking. Co an comfort her."
 Trove sat as if he had not heard. The tinker went to his table and hurriedly wrote line, folding and directing 1t.
 "Go quickly, boy, an tell her an then take this to Riley Brooke for me"
 The young man struggled moment for self mastery, rose, with sigh and . stern look, and put on his hat.
 Tt is about bail?' he whispered.
 Yes" Darrel answered.
 Trove hurried away. A woman met him at the door within which Polly boarded.
 "Is she better?' Trove asked.
 "Yes, but has asked me to say that she does not wish to see you.''
 Trove stood moment, his tongue halting between anger and surprise. He turned without word, walking away, bitter feeling in hls heart,
 Brooke greeted him with unexpected heartiness. He was going to bed when the young man rapped upon his door.
 Brooke opened the letter and read the words aloud, Thanks; I shall not need thy help"
 "Whatw Trove exclaimed.
 He says he shall not need the help I offered him." Brooke answered.
 Good night" said Trove. who, turn ing. left the house and hurried away. Lights were out everywhere in the will lage now. The windows were dark at the Sign of the Dial He hurried up the old stairs and trapped loudly, but none came to admit hlm. He called and lis tened. Within there were only silence and that old familiar sound of the sec onds trooping by, some with short and some with long steps. He knew that soon they were to grow faint and weary and pass no more that way. He ran to the foot of the stairs and i stood moment hesltating. Then he walked slowly to the county jail and looked up at the dark and silent build ing. For a little time he leaned upon a fence there in the still night, shaken with sobs. Then he began walking up and down by the jail yard. He had not slept an hour in weeks and was weary. but he could not bear to come away and walked slower as the night wore on. hearing only the tread of his own feet. He knew not where to so and was drifting up and down, like a derelict in the sea. By and by people began to pass him-weary crowds-and they were pointing at the patches on his coat. and beneath them he could feel kind of burning. but the crowd was dumb. He tried to say. "1 am not to blame," but his heart smote him when 1t was half said. Then, sudden ly. many people were beside him, and far ahead on a steep hill. in dim, gray light. he could see Darrel toIlIng up- ward. and sometimes the tinker turned. beckosing him to follow. And Trove ran. but the way was long between them. And the tinker called to him.. ''who drains the cup of another's bit terness shall find 1t sweet" Quickly he was alone. groping for bis path in black darkness and presently coming down a stairway into the moonlit chamber of his inheritance: then the men of the dark and feeling of faint ness and great surprise. and a broad blue field all about him and woods in the distance. and above the growing light of dawn. Ills bones were aching with iilne~s and overwork, his feet sore. T have been asleep.- he said.