The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1907-10-18

! "Thank you, sir" he said; ~ didn't
expect anything when l came here. /
J came to tell the truth. | was told it
would do John a good urn and be the
means of putting him on the right
road again. bear him no malice, and
l was glad to be able to help to give
him another chance
"You must take the money ex-
claimed Sir Mark; sit is your by
right. But 1 have one more favor to
ask you. For the sake of the young
mans future you will keep the knowl-
edge you nave gained tonight to your.
SELF"
81 have no one to tell it to-" replied
the farmer, "and If I had I shouldn't. 1t
might be the means of getting John
sent back to prison again. Good night,
sir. If Mr.. Hanks going, | will go
with him"
But about the money!"
The farmer shook his head. 81
couldn't take a penny, sir. If | were
to be paid anything by you and any
thing ever came out, it would be said
as I'd taken money to hold my tongue
about an escaped convict. I'll feel
happier if you'll let what I did for
John be Just an act of Christian chart
ty."
Mr.. Hank, who had no object in
prolonging the interview, had risen.
Bidding Sir Mark good night he went
out, and Farmer Crawford went with
him.
AS the door closed behind them
Sir Mark staggered to his feet with a
look of horror in his eyes.
"An escaped criminal!" he cried.
Good heavens! had forgotten that
-and-I-I must keep this shameful
secret. /. Mark Buckingham, of Dray-
colt Hall, must assist an escaped
criminal to hide from Justice"
In his excitement and dismay he
had forgotten that John Wilson, the
escaped convict, his elder son and the
heir to his house and estates, was still
in the room with him.
John Wilson looked at the father to
whom he had been sc strangely intro
duced, and, fearing that he was about
to fall, involuntarily rose to go to his
assistance.
The exclamation he uttered drew
Sir Marks attention to him. Immedi-
ately the baronet's n changed.
With a violent effort he controlled his
emotion, and, resuming his seat, turn
ed to his elder son.
~ had forgotten that you were
here" he said, his voice trembling in
spite of his attempts to control it. q
wished to see you alone; the arrange
ment to be made between us is not
one to be discussed before strangers"
II quite agree with you, sir" replied
the e%X-convict, but l expect the ar
rangement to be on a liberal scale. !
have paid pretty dearly for your fail.
ure to discover what had become of
me for so many years. You will, l
suppose, take that into considera.
tion?"
Having admitted the proofs Of
our Identity" said Sir Mark, looking
at the young man coldly, 81 shall place
a sum of money at your disposal for
your immediate needs. | shall also al
range that a quarterly allowance shall
be made to Mark Brettingham-that is
henceforth our name-through my
solicitors. You will have to furnish
them with Mark Br%ettingham's ad-
dress. AS you are an escaped convict,
| shall insist that this address shall
be abroad"
Il have no objection, sir" replied
the convict, quietly. But presume
that, in the event of anything happen.
ing to you, there will be no dispute on
the part of your family as to my posi-
ton: my right to the title and estates
must be placed beyond all future
question before consent to any.
thing"
Il took the trouble to find you. Mark
Buckingham, that justice might be
done; but you are hardly in a position
to dictate to me. You could o make
any claim in the law courts after my
death without the risk of betraying
yourself as John Wilson,"
ITO Be Continued.)