The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-06-14

lThether for good or had, but it did not
matter. 1t would all come to him when
he had leisure to turn his mind back
upon the past.
And it did. That night as he was "
ing on a cot in a small building ON the
very edge of the food he sprang sud
denly to his feet with low exclama-
ton of relief. He had lain down eX-
hausted, but not to sleep. Now he was
strong, with eyes flashing. but steely
and with lips close shut and stern. He
was no longer the heroic man whose
life was a free Offering for others, but
a Nemesis Of the law, mechanical, i'm
placable, just. 1t had come to him with
a rush. as he had believed it would.
and, though the strong bearded face
had crossed his memory half Il decade
before and then only as one incident of
4 busy day, the scene returned to him
now as clear cut and vivid as though
he had but just come from the court
room. There were the white haired
judge upon his bench and the arguing
lawyers and the prisoner, calm and
collected, pleading guilty in Il voice as
clear and triumphant as though ac-
knowledging a deed of duty or valor.
The beard had been black and glossy
then and the figure Slighter and
straighter, but the man was the same.
He was as sure of il as he was that the
sun would rise in the east and set in
the west. And here he was in the same
building, sleeping off the exhaustion of
the days battling with the food. 1t
was strange.
Sheriff Turner was Il man of action.
Ten years before he had had war
rant for this mans arrest; now he
would take him officially as an escaped
prisoner
Leaving his room, he walked three
doors down the hall ana then raped
sharply, y wondering voice called,
Come in"
\ dim light was burning and as he
crossed the room to the bedside Sheriff
Turner looked at the man sharply.
Yes, he had not been mistaken y
strong face like that was not often
seen, and certainly was not to be for
gotten.
You are Clifford Waite?" he said
The man started, bat did not answer.
"Of Orange county. n. y" the sheriff
went on quietly. Il arrest you for the
murder of Pete Bolly, eleven years
ago
For Il moment the man Shivered as
though struck by an icy blast, then his
face grew calm and strong again as
before
Yes, | am Clifford Waite of Orange
county. n. Y" he answered. raising
himself to Il sitting posture land l
executed the miscreant Pete Bolly.
whom a bribed jury turned loose upon
the community eleven years ago. And
moreover" looking the sheriff calmly in
the face, Il consider it was good gift
to the state. People tell me | have
done good work. was told that yes
terday-but none of it has been of such
real benefit as Kidding the country of
such Il villain as Pete Bolly. The law
itself would have done it long before
had it not been for his money You
know that. But of course" breaking
off suddenly, that does not affect my
case"
NO, it does not affect your case"
coldly. You will please get ready as
quickly ana quietly as possible \
train leaves here at midnight. l do
not wish to make a disturbance"
Il understand" dryly. You fear l
have 50 many friends here it might be
difficult to take me away. l think You
are right However l will 60 quietly.
Now | am discovered it could only be
q question of Il few weeks at most. |
have often had Il desire to go back and
try to clear myself at home. If it were
not for my wife
Your wife, with some surprise.
Yes. l came here without dollar.
and one of the merchants gave Qe
position as bOokkeeper without even
asking for references. Later | bought
him out and put up a brick block. Five
years ago l married his daughter. 1t
will be hard for her" q slight break
coming into his voice in spite of his self
control. "She believes in me thor