The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-13

"By God, VIII Stand by You, John
Glenarm!"
fight for his memory and to protect his
property from the scoundrels who have
plotted against me. 1 hope you follow
me"
Yes, Mr.. Glenarm." He was re-
garding me attentively His lips quav-
cred, perhaps from weakness, and he
seemed distressed and i'll.
Now I offer you your choice
either to stand Loyalty by me and my
grandfather's house or to join these
scoundrels Arthur Pickering has hired
to drive me out. I'm not going to bride
you'll don't offer you cent for your
help, but l won't have a traitor in the
house, and if you don't like me or my
terms I want you to go and go now"
He Strengthened quickly,-his eyes
lighted and the color crept into his
face. had never before seen him ap-
pear so like a human being.
Mr.. Glenarm, you have been hard
on me; there have been times when
you have been most unjust"
Unjust, unfair-my God, what do
you expect me to take from you!
Haven't I known that you were in
league with Pickering? I'm not as
dull as look, and after your interview
with Pickering In the chapel porch you
can't convice me that you were faith
full to my interests at that time"
He started and gazed at me wonder
ingly. I had had no intention of using
the chapel porch interview at this
time, but 1t leaped out of me uncon-
trollably.
Il suppose, sir" he began brokenly,
that l can hardly persuade you that I
meant no wrong on that occasion"
You certainly can nOt,-and it's
safer for you not to try. But I'm will
ing to let all that go as a reward for
your work last night. Make your
choice now; stay here and stop your
spying or clear out within an hour"
He took a step toward me; the table
was between us and he drew quite
near but stood clear of it, erect until
there was something soldierly and
commanding in his tall figure.
''By God, 1 will stand by you, John
Glenarm!" he said, and struck the
table smartly with his clinched hand.
He flushed instantly, and | felt the
blood mounting into my own face as
we gazed at each other,-he, Bates, the
servant, and l, his master! He had al
ways addressed me so punctiliously
with the "sir" of respect that his dec
laration Of fealty, spoken with so sin
cere and vigorous an air of independ-
ence, and with the bold emphasis of
the oath, that I stood spellbound, star
ing at him. The silence was broken
by Larry, who sprang forward and
grasped Bates hand.
Il, too, Bates" I said, feeling nv
heart leap with liking, even with ad-
miration for the real manhood that
seemed to transfgure this hireling.-
this fellow whom I had charged with
Infamous conduct, this servant who
had cared for my needs in so humble
a spirit of subsection.
The lznocker on the front door sound
ed peremptorily, and Bates turned
without another word, and admitted
Stoddard. who came in hurriedly.
Merry Christmas," he called heart
lily, in tones hardly consonant with the
troubled look on his face I introduced
him to Larry and asked him to ST
down.
Pray excuse our disorder-wt
didn't do it for fun; It was one o
Santa Claus tricks.
He stared about wonderingly.
80 you caught it, too, did your"
ITO be sure. You don't mean to sa.
that they raided the chapel?"
That's exactly what I mean to say
When I went into the church for N.
early service I found that some on,
had ripped off the wainscoting in
half dozen places and even pried III
the altar. It's the most outrageou
thing l ever knew. You've heard G
the proverbial poverty of the churcl
mouse,-what do you suppose anybod,
could want to raid q simple little couD
try chapel for? And more curious yet
the church plate was untouched
though the closet where it's kept wa
upset, as though the miscreants ha
looked there for something they dIdn'
find"
Stoddard was greatly disturbed, an
gazed about the topsy-turvy librar
with growing indignation.
We drew together for a council @
war. Here was an opportunity to er
list new recruit on my side; an
after had told my story fully and cor
Quoted Larry and Stoddard throug
the tunnel, the better to prove that
was not romancing. they declared thei