The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-07-16
Take it aacay," gro,sled Tom.

Take u dIcdy," gr0t1Led Tom.
meeting with his benefactor which
Tom had once pictured and even vain.
~ solicited. but all so long ago-in that
other life-that upon him the contrast
was lost. All he still remembered was
that he had once imagined himself iu.
debted to this person for the blessed
gift of life. All he now perceived was
bis mistake and what a malignant
curse that blessed gift had proved.
Not that he resented 1t any more. He
no longer resented anything In the
world. Even this persons kind. well
meant emotional remarks moved him
to no stronger feeling than one OF
slight impotence, nor was he listening
when a look, an information, a pause,
informed him that he had been asked
question.
Say II again." said Tom.
II want you for my assigned serv.
ant" repeated Daintree. dlsregarding
both the decision and the presence OF
Major Honeybone. who sat there quite
enjoying the prospect Of further oppo-
sition. II want TO be your friend-to
take you away from this CHASTITY place
to sponge the very memory Of 1t out
sf your mind. The governor agrees to
1t. I have his written leave. Will
you come with me. Erickson? VIII
you come? win you conner
you're very good" said Tom. 81
prefer 10 stop where ] am"
"What?' cried both gentlemen al
once. The major looked personally az
grleved.
81 prefer the iron gang"
"To my house-my probationary
friendship"
Horror and modification were in the
rich. strong tones and In the flushed
and swarthy face.
II prefer the iron gang" repeated
Tom. but his voice was weakcr-he no
ticed II hlmself-and with the next
breath was crying savagely that hi
would not go. that he would stop where
he was, and who was Daintree to come
interfering there? 4 lot he minded
what the governor or what fifty gov
ernors said There he was. and there
he meant 10 stick. No power on earth
should shift him out Of that.
"Oh:- said the major. NO power
eh?"
short Of n file OF red coats. which
Won can't spare"
"Sentry. remove that man.
The rest Of the gang were nj supper
Tom clankcd In and sat down with q
rattle. lie nodded 10 one or two des
perate kindred spirits. half proudly. a,
much as 10 say: IAN right. my lads
I'm not the man 10 desert his pals
I'm true game 90 those that are true
game Co ue. I'm that lf I'm nothing
Else" Those indeed were the yortl'
In his heart. hut nobody answered his
nod: only some irons jlngled wheTS
Creasey had reached out under the Ia
ble and given Macbeth kick.
As they were all shufillng out Of the
mess shed Butter took a pin Of paper
from h!s month and pressed Il into
Toms hand. Tom unrolled Il on BIZ
ledge aud furtiyriy read II willie tht
sentry still stood with his lantern on
the threshold.
These eleven words:
An 40 since fcater went. Mac ans
Cresy mean to saueek.
iIardt hal he dcciphcrcd them whc:
n wardsman thrust In his head aud
summoned Erickson 20 the major:
quarters.
They've been quick about it.
Thought Tom as another wardsmar
Joined them on the way.
The major looked very stern and
strong. DaIntrec was drawing on hi.
gloves. Tom thought he recognized the
little heap OF clothes upon the floor
The trousers were blood stained still.
"Now. SIR" cried the major. with Z
glIttcriug eye. Il think you said that
no power un earth would shift you UuI
Of this; or with those irons. men
and be shall sce.''
Through the black window glowct
the currIcIe lamps.