The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-10-18

THANK you, SIR" he said; II didn't
expect anything when | came here.
came to tell the truth. was told ii
would do John a good turn and be the
means of putting him on the right
road again. bear him no malice and
was glad to be able to help to give
him another chance"
you must take the money" ex.
claimed Sir Mark; 1T is yours by
right. But have one more favor to
ask you. For the sake of the young
mans future you will keep the knowl.
edge you have gained tonight to your.
SELF"
Il have no one to tell it to-" replied
the farmer, land if had shouldn't. 1t
might be the means of getting John
sent back to prison again. Good night,
sir. If Mr.. Hanks going, l will go
with him."
But about the money!"
The farmer shook his head. 81
couldn't take penny, sir. If were
to be paid anything by you and any.
thing ever came out, it would be said
as Id 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 close! 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. l. Mark Buckingham, of Dray.
colt Hall, must assist an escaped
criminal to hide from Justice"
In his excitement and dismay lie
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 ut the father to
whom he had been SO 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 manner changed.
With violent effort he controlled his
emotion, and, resuming his seat. turn.
ed to his elder son.
81 had forgotten that you were
here" he said. his voice trembling in
spite of his attempts to control it. Il
wished to see You alone; the arrange.
ment to be made between us is not
one to be discussed before strangers"
Il quite agree with you. sir" replied
the eX-convict, but expect the az
rangement to be on liberal scale.
have paid pretty dearly for your fail
IRE to discover what had become of
me for so many years. You will,
suppose, take that into considera.
tion?"
Having admitted the proofs OF
your identity" said Sir Mark, looking
at the young man coldly. Il shall place
a sum of money at your disposal for
SOul AhlIlCuldIS uOCuS. i Slldll CilSO dp
range that a quarterly allowance shall
be made to Mark Brettingham-that is
henceforth your name-through my
solicitors. You will have to furnish
them with Mark Brettingham'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 l 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 l consent to any
thing"
Il took the trouble to find you, Mark
Buckingham, that justice might be
done; but you are hardly in position
to dictate to me. You could not make
any claim in the law courts after my
death without the risk of betraying
yourself as John Wilson,"
ITO Be Continued.)