The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-08-03
CONTINUED from last Issue.)
CHAPTER v.
A CONFESSION.

THAT was the most awful expert
ence I ever had in my life," said Floss
to Josie a week after the wreck as
they walked toward the central station
for an evening stroll. 1t was the first
time they had met since the horrible
accident.
Il hear the crash and groans every
minute of my life since.' returned
Josie sadly.
They say a broken frog at the
switch did it,
Papa says So" Josie said.
six persons killed, and nine in
jured badly and all more or less
scratched and shook up."
1.-THE way. we rolled over it's q
wonder all were not killed. feel so
thankful we got off so well-with only
slight bruises
$50 do L." assented Floss. slight
tremor passing through her frame at
the bare idea yet.
1.-THE coaches were all torn up, and
the engine turned completely over.
They took Mel Rlmple out for dead.
but I learn he Is improving, with a.
good chance for his life. Everybody
is praistng him for his bravery in
sticking 10 his engine when they say
he might have escaped"
Floss was glad 20 hear this, but
she offered no comment. When she
spoke she said:
"F1nney Davis got Off with a broken
nose."
II hear he said his beauty is ruined
for life"
YES" as If she were glad. She
had no intention Of expressing glad
ness at any ones pain.
Mick Hefferon died this morning
at the hospital"
He did," exclaimed Floss.
He was so badly hurt internally
he couldn't live
Strange Mickey! Peace to his
ashes"
And the curious part Is his confess
sion. Just before he died he said he
wanted Mel to forgive him. He said
he tried to kill him not long ago, in
the woods, one night, and would have
Gone 1t If Mel had been alone. But
he said with his last breath this
morning he was glad he had not done
II. Mel sent him word he forgave
him." Josie watched the effect of her
last words on Floss, but this inde-
pendent girl gave no sigrs Of feeling
covering the generous nature Of Mel
that forgave dying enemy. She
| merely saiG:
Il heard that some one tried to kill
him. but did not know it was Mick
Hefferon."
1T takes a big heart to forgive a
IA Would-be murderer" remarked
Josie.
Maybe. But 1 should think him
awful mean who wouldn't forgive one
struck down by the hand of DEATH"
Maybe. But there are just such
mean persons-glad their enemy is
dead"
They say Mel never thinks of his
own hurts, only Of the dead and
wounded-of their pains and sorrows"
| YES
mo blame to him for tho accident
mot in the least-but he suffers for
others-thinks Of others first"
HE should"
"Why?"
HE is human" answered Floss.
SO are they. And he was hurt
too"
why did Mick want to kill him ~
Some slight trouble over q settle
ment."
THAT all?"
That's ALL"
THAT day of pleasure ended"
Bad enough" taking the words out
Of Floss mouth.
And you say that. YOU bottle ~
cooked-up sunlight, without meaning
to complaint"
"Complain?
Yes, said Floss, laughing when
the laugh did not fit in. Why did
she do that? 1t proved a singular
state Of feelings. Was sho trying to
conceal them? And what were they?
Josie believed she knew. Set one
girl to find out another, will you, and
she'll do 1t. Josie knew why Floss
was not conftding in her as of yore.
The independent girl had secret
that she herself was not absolutely
sure was secret. In the fullness of
time Josie knew Floss would tell her
| everything