La Junta tribune., 1906-11-10
,.ps-s hin. ~ 81. -.u,a Aav. -

R@~~.S-
The merchant debated the idea With
ed H. In the store he gave NO sign
that he Was troubled. but the book
keeper was not deceived She knew
what the profits were, and she knew
who had a clutch on him. She even
interpreted the glances he cast around
the store. and when she saw him add
ing TO the litter ir the closet she could
have told him his purpose
One windy, rainy night. when there
was excuse for shutting up early, and
when only thirty days remained be-
tween French and business ruin, he
made a pretext 10 be the last one out
and the candle was placed and lighted
The young merchant went to his board
ing house aud TO his room. and all he
had TO do was wait.
The wind rose and the rain fell more
heavily and he was rejoiced at the
thought that none Of the villagers
would be on the street In such a storm
Between midnight and l O'Clock the
flames would start. When the alarm
was given people could only turn out
and look ON with folded arms. French
left nothing to chance. He lay there
hour after hour thinking. scheming and
planning II was close upon midnight
when his other self came to the rescue.
The two personalities debated and ar
gued and fought. The one self con-
tended and the other protested.
After a quarter of an hour the mer-
chant arose and hurriedly began TO
dress. He was pale faced and trem-
bling and frightened. He felt himself
criminal and branded before the
world. Bankruptcy might come. be
might be forced to most menial employ
ment. the widow Allen might triumph
and he might lose the one he had
learned to love, but he would save the
store
The wind was blowing a gale and
the rain coming In sheets when he
stepped from the door and ran through
the mud and storm to the store. Not
even a dog was In sight As he ran he
prayed that he might not be too late.
With shaking hands be inserted the key
In the door and pushed II open. There
was no smell OF smoke. Striking a
match. he made his way to the closet.
The candle had been blown out hours
ago. II had not burned half an inch.
With u new fear at his heart the man
turned away and lighted a lamp and
leaned on the counter TO think. He
heard the rustic Of garments and light
footsteps, and Miss Warder came out
OF the darkness and stood before him
and said.
mfr. French. I blew the candle out
. long. long time ago"
"You-you found and blew 1t out"
he gasped.
/ "Yes. and I have been waiting for
you to come"
Il was going to burn the store for
the Insurance." he said. after q long
silence.
"Yes."
.sTo pay the notes due that woman
In thirty days and save myself from
bankruptcy"
II know
But l couldn't do II. ! thought
could-I meant to-but ! came here to
blow out the candle and save the store.
| I am n ruined man, but I am not n
| criminal except in intent"
Il knew you would come" said the
girl. with tears In her voice. 1T IN
hard to face ruin, but II Is harder To
face conscience. Yesterday a lawyer
came to see mother. He told her
she was one Of the heirs to large es-
tate. He brought papers for her TO
sign. and within month she will have
x20OOo"
''welly'' queried French. as he wiped
his brow and looked around the store.
-thought-thought''-
"You want to give me notice and
leave your place at the end of the
week. You viii go. OF course. but l
hope you will remember that came
back to save the store. I wanted the
Insurance money. but my conscience
wouldn't let me be criminal
Il thought that II you wanted 10 take
IN partner
"But where can I find oner'
III you-you wanted to take in n
partner and pay up the notes and be
clear Of that woman mother would
give me the money. and
He saw her to her home through the
storm and darkness. and he did not
realize that the wind blew or the rain
fell or that he had to pick his steps.
He realized only that he held her hand
and that he had been saved from his
other self His sign reads George
French" but there Is n silent partner
with him and behind him and daily
adding TO his happiness.