The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-05-31

The coochman then rose and slo,cLy
leaned across the table.
jumped in. gaspinE.
Thought you was after me-" said
the cad, with grin.
Tom had no breath to reply. A ~.
bicund old gentleman made wei.
meant remark upon the eagerneSs d
youth and was favored with a CLASSY
stare. The newcomer sat painting in
a corner, the perspiration trickling
from his nose.
But his head was cooler. He saw
the needlessness as well as the indis-
erection Of conspicuous flight. He had
slipped through the only hands that
We're as yet against him. lie had
eluded the only eyes he need avoid that
night, for the hackney coachman might
take his new tale straight to Scotland
Yard, but it could hardly be given to
the world before morning.
Toms heart leaped as he discovered
the temporary strength of his position.
Next moment 1t sank, for the cad was
collecting the fares. and his single as
set was the watch. Isis bankrupt state
had occurred to Tom as he ran for the
omnibus. but not again. 1t was so
small thing compared with the charge
now lying nj his docr. Yet he had Just
thought OF this little fraud was so
far deliberate-but he had neither the
face nor the fooIhar'iinesS to sit there
and confess his fault. And, situated
like the wanted feiOn he now felt him.
self to be, it was wonderful and hOr-
rible how felon'S resources came I'M
hidden to his fingers ends. He began
feeling in pocket after pocket, with a
face that heightened under the f.own
Of the cad the raised eyebrows OF the
rubicund gentleman and the fixed at
tention Of all.
I'm afraid II don't seem to have
a coin in my pocket"
"Oh. you 'aven't. 'aven't you?'
mo. | have not! I'm very sorry
r.
You may be! Never mind no tales.
You can keep them for the beak ash
ave word to say to you tOmorrer
mornin'."' And the cad winked Mt the
other passengers. stopped the omni-
bus and called policeman from the
curb.
Tom could have burst into tears. To
be wrongly wanted for a crime so ter
rible and Justly taken for a thing so
small! He looked forlornly at his fel-
low passengers, with a wild idea that
one might come 10 his rescue. The
sole response was u whitening frown
from the rudy old gentleman, who
also commended the cad and loudly
trusted an example would be made of
the case. The desperate Tom began
ransacking his packets in earnest for
some overlooked coin. but he had done
this so often Of late that he felt the
futllity now. The perspIration froze
upon his face. yet even with the police.
mans tain hat pokcl inside the omni.
bus his twitrhing fingers continued
their spaSmodic. hopeless search.
THE fash young spark whispered |
the rad. Just sou fri-htcn i'm. SIR
Robert"
"Now. then, come alongg said the OF.
Grcr,
e; 'ui Coli cricl Tom.
Youth get all TIE more for swear.
Ing Now. ont you come aforc you're I
nn,lc'' /
Not Just yet" returned the culorlt |
and handed the conductor one Of two |
halc crowns found that very moment !
In n scrap Of crumplpl paper. I'm
sorry couldn't find it before. Kindly |
give the change"
where tor growlcd the cad as the
stepped down.
Tom did not hear
Cant you answer Where tor
'uh. as far as you co.
Toms eyes were on the crumpIcd
scrap and filled to overlooking by half
n dozen III written words:
wishin good lux. yours rcspeckfuIi.
]. BCTTERFIElsD.
Clare would think him guilty. After
what had passed between them she
could not do otherwise. Then guilty
let him be In every earthly eye. and
The sooner II was an over the better
for him and for her. Ito had no wish
10 live IL the one sweet judge whose
Judgment he respected held him worthy
Jf death. And she would-she could
not help herself. Then what must she
ihlnk OF his love for herr And the
thought Of her thoughts vas worse
han that Of shameful death before a
rowling mob.
Tom tore up Clairc's letter that be
lad meant to treasure till his death. 50
hat when he was taken no siur should
est upon his beloved. and he distrib.
itcd the minute fragments at long IN.
ervals that night before looking for a