Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-07-20
for The Term of His Natural Life
CHAPTER XXI.
BY MARCUS CLARKE


fair and delicate. His name was Kirk
land, and he belonged to what were
known as the educated" prisoners. He
mad been clerk in banking house, and
was transported for embezzlement,
though, by some, grave doubts as to his
guilt were entertained. The command
ant, Captain Burgess, had employed him
as butler In his own house, and his fate
was considered a "lucky" one. So,
doubtless, 1t was, and might have been,
mad not an untoward accident occurred.
Captain Burgess, who was a bachelor of
the "old school," confessed an amiable
weakness for swearing. Kirkland be-
longed to Methodist family, and owned
piety utterly out Of place In that re-
gion. The language of Burgess made
him shudder, and one day he so far for
got himself and his place as to raise his
nands 10 his ears. "pll soon cure you
OF that! cried Burgess, and forthwith
ordered him to the chain gang for "in-
subordination."
de was received with suspicion by the
gang, who did not like white-hapded
prisoners. Troke, by way Of expert
ment in human nature, perhaps, placed
him next to Gabbett. When the muster
oei rang and the gang broke M, Rufus
Dawes, on his silent way TO his separate
cell, observed a notable change of GUS
tom In the disposition of the new con-
Wet Instead of placing him in cell by
himself, Iroke was turning him into the
yard with the others.
I'm not to go in there?" says the ex-
bank clerk, drawing back in dismay from
The cloud of foul faces which lowered
upon him.
But you are, then" says Troke. "The
governor says a night in there'll take the
starch out of yer Come, in yer CO."
Let him out, watchmanw said North.
who happened by.
Cant, sir, without an order from the
commandant"
II order you, sir" North cried, indig-
nant.
Very sorry, your reverenve; but your
reverence knows that daren't do such a
thing"
North rushed away to the command
ant, and the instant his back was turned,
Hailes, the watchman, flung open the
door and darted into the dormitory.
Take that" he cried, dealing Kirk
land blow on the head with his keys,
that stretched him senseless. ''There's
more trouble with you aristocrats than
enough. Lie quietw
The commandant. reused from his
slumber, told Mr.. North that Kirkland
might stop where he was, and that he'd
thank the chaplain not to wake him up
because prisoner set up a bowling.
North returned to the prison discon-
solately, found the dutiful Hailes at his
post, and all quiet. whats become of
Kirkland?" he asked
"Fretted hisself to sleep, yer rever-
ence," said Hailes, in accents of par
entail concern. Poor chap! It's hard
for such young 'uns as he, sir"
In the morning Rufus Dawes, coming
to his place on the chain gang, was
struck by the altered appearance of
kirkland. His face was of a greenish
tint and wore an expression of bewil-
dered horror.
Cheer up, man" said Dawes, touch.
ed with momentary pity. Its no good
being in the mopes, you know"
What do they do If you try to bolt p
whispered Kirkland.
Kill you," returned Dawes, in a tone
of surprise at so preposterous ques.
tion.
'Thank God" said Kirkland.
The work Of the gang that afternoon
was the carrying of some heavy logs to
the water-side, and Rufus Dawes OBJ
served that Kirkland was exhausted
long before the task was accomplished
They'll kill you, you little beggar!
said he, not unkindly.
He had hardly uttered the words
when the boy flung himself beneath the
log In another instant the train would
have been scrambling over his crushed
body, had not Gabbett stretched out al
iron hand and plucked the would-be sui
eide from death.
Hold on to me-" said the giant. "I'n
big enough to carry double"
Kirkland uttered a cry, and then
holding up his irons with his hands
he started to run for the water.
Halt, you young fool!" roared Troke
raising his carbine. But Kirkland KEEP
steadily on for the river. Just as he
reached 1t, however, the figure of Mr.
North rose from behind pile of stones
Kirkland jumped for the jetty, missed
his footing and fell into the arms of the
chaplain.
"You young vermin-you shall pay
for this" cries Troke. you'll see Il
you won't remember this day"
"Oh, Mr.. North" says Kirkland
"why did you stop mel I'd rather b,
dead than stay another night In tina
place."
you'll get It, my ladv' said Cab
bett, when the runaway was brough
back. "Your blessed hidell feel for this
see II 1t don't"
kirkland only breathed harder, ant
looked round for Mr.. North; but Mr.
North had gone. The new chaplain wal
to arrive that afternoon, and 1t was in
cumbent on the old one to be present a
the reception.
Troks reported the ex-bank clerk tina
night to Burgess, and Burgess, who wa