Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-09-27

The cOachmGn then rose and st0aotD
leaned across the table.
the delta between the bridge and st.
Paurs. Here he slackened little,
for the stony. many Widowed ravines
were SO narrow and SO crowded that
1t was impossible to continue running
But he threw up his heels the instant
he emerged on Ludgate hill, tearing
heller SHELTER in the middle of the road
He was nearly run over by van
coming out Of Paternoster row and
cursed to the skies by the driver,
Faces stopped and turned upon the
payements. He knew the folly or It,
and yet ran on with iend In either
heel
Bank, bank! Ere you are. sir
ere you are!'
Tom was almost up to the omnibus
before he realized that this was meant
for him. Instinctively he waved and
nodded. and his mad pace was ex
planned. The omnibus stopped; nc
jumped In. gasping.
"Thought you was after me-" said
the cad. with grin.
Tom had no breath to reply. A ru
bicund old gentleman made a wei
meant remark upon the eagerness OF
youth and was favored with a CLASSY
stare. The newcomer sat painting In
corner, the perspiration trickling
from his nose.
But his head was cooler. He saw
the needlessness as we'll as the indis.
erection of conspicuous flight. He had
slipped through the only hands that
were 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
:he world before morning.
Toms heart leaped as he discovered
the temporary strength Of his position
Next moment it sank, for the cad was
collecting the fares, and his single as
set was the watch. His bankrupt state
had occurred to Tom as he ran for the
omnibus, but not again. 1t was SC
small thing compared with the charge
now living at his door. Yet he had 1us'
thought of this little fraud was SC
far deliberate-but he had neither the
face nor the foolhardiness to sit there
and confess his fault. And, situated
like the wanted felon he now felt him
self to be, it was wonderful and nor
rible how felon's resources came un
hidden to his fingers ends. He begar
feeling in pocket after pocket, with
face that heightened under the frowr
of the cad, the raised eyebrows OF int
rubicund gentleman and the fixed at
tention Of all.
"I'm afraid II don't seem to nave
q coin In my pocket"
"Oh, you 'aven't, 'aven't you"
"No, + have not! Pm very sorry
p
"You may be! Never mind no tales
You. can keep them for the beak as'l
ave O. word to say to you tomorre
mornin'w And the cad winked at tn
other passengers, stopped the omnl
bus and called a policeman from tn
curb
Tom could have burst into tears. Il
be wrongly wanted for crime so ter
rible and Justly taken for thing 8
small! He looked forlornly at his Eel
low passengers, with wild idea tina
one might come to his rescue. In
sole response was a whitening frowl
from the ruddy old gentleman. VIII
also commended the cad and loudl.
trusted an example would be made o
the case. The desperate Tom begal
ransacking his pockets In earnest 10
some overlooked coin, but he had don
this SO often Of late that he felt tn
futility now. The perspiration froz
upon his face, yet even with the police
mans tall hat poked inside the omnl
bus his twitching fingers continues
their spasmodic, hopeless search.
"The fash young sparkp whispered
the cad. "Just you brighten i'm, 81
Robert"
"Now, then, come along| said the Oh
fcer.
Good Godr' cried Tom.
you'll get all the more for swear
ing. Now, out you come afore YOUR
made"
"Not just yet" returned the cuipri
and handed the conductor one OF tw'
half crowns found that very momen
in scrap of crumpled paper. I'm
sorry | couldn't find 1t before. Kind.
give me change"
Is "Where to-" growled the cad as tn
constable stepped down.
Tom did not hear.
"Can't you answer? Where tor
"Oh. as fur as you gow
Toms eyes were on the erumple'
scrap and filed to overfowing by hal
dozen iii written words:
wishin good LUX, yours respeckfuil.
| ]. BUTTERFIELD.