The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-07-19
the blue waters edge. The garden
lawn merged into narrow strand that

lawn merged into Q narrow strand that
slid straight under the wavelets them
| selves. As summer set in the trees
behind the house broke out in every
gay and gorgeous color; it was the
plumage of the parrots that now came
and percheI in hocks among the
branches.
| Tom gave up mis- room, as two ladies'
and maid were expected. 1t was re.
| papered for the maid a room was
found for Tom In the pretty little sta
bles amid the trees, where he helped
Fawcett with the horses and the cur
ricie. which was in Sydney on some
errand every day. Generally the mas
ter went alone. Once he took Tom
with him. 1t was on the occasion of
his cashing check to meet the run.
ming expenses of these elaborate prep
| arations.
They were on their way home at
dusk when Daintree pulled up on the
outskirts Of the town and hailed dis,
consulate. soldierly figure with one arm
In a sling.
why. Harry" cried Daintree THAT'S
never you"
Il wish 1t wasn't, sir"
you've left the force?'
"These six months. 1t was my arm
Look there. sirI''
An emaciated hand came through
the sling. The thumb ana forefnger
were uninjured. but half the middle
finger and both the other two were like
dead, distorted branches on a living
! tree.
"What did IT."
"a bullet: caught me on the funny
bone and paralyZed half my hand. My
right hand too. It's set me on the shelf
at thirty-three."
IAN accident. Harry%
Tom held his breath.
quite" said Harry bitterly. "It was
meant for my heart. You would hear
OF the bushrangers at DIR. Sullivan's
last summer-that's when it was--and
the one that did 1t was the only one
to get away"
Toms clothes were sticking TO him.
freezing him. Drive on he wits.
pered. "For Gods sake. sir. drive on
Daintree expressed sympathy with
the man and whipped up his horses.
"Not so fast" cried Tom. You of.
fered me wages. Advance me f5 Of
what you got from the bank-'
His face was white with horror. his
tone so piteOus and so eager that Dain.
tree pulled up. took sovereigns from
bag and dropped them one by one
into the trembling hand. Tom sprang
out and ran back 10 the disabled man.
From my master" he gasped and
thrust the money into his left hand
and darted back without daring to look
in his face. The astonished trooper
had not time TO say a word.
God bless you for that money" fal-
tered Tom In terrible agitation as they
drove on. Il gave 1t to him from you.
want no wages. Give them all to
him.
Inc Otner remained silent
''YOu don't ask whyw
81 think I know"
sit was I who smashed his arm and
spoiled his lifer'
Il suspected H."
when
ION the road down. when you kept
looking behind and thinking they were
after you"
"Ah. no." cried Tom. almost beside
himself with grief and shame. That
was for something else. See what a
villain have been: You should have
left me one. I could have stood Il II
you'd left me what I was. oh, what
am TO dol In luxury and that man
shattered and ruined by my handf I
can't bear II! I must confess! And I
nm innocent man In the beginning! oh.
that was bad enough. 10 be condemned
for what you never did, but it's as bad
to know you're guilty and to so scot
free
The other said nothing. hut listened
attentlvely as Tom now unbOsomed
himself Of the whole truth Of his ad-
venture with the bushrangers. where
upon DaIntree justified his offense
with such warmth Of conviction that
rom was little soothed. But his law
Eh friend went further. He under
took that the disabled man should
want for nothing. hut first they must
find out what his circumstances really
were.
They found out within an hour, and
from the man himself. He had fol-
lowed them on foot 10 render thanks.
lie even wanted 10 return the money.
Not only was the department treating
him handsomely. the surgeons had
hopes Of his arm. and he was ashamed
Of the way In which he must have ex.
aggerated matters In the street. So
Tom was assured when the man was
gone. lie kept out Of the way while
he was there.
The assurance cousoled hIm-a little.
lie never forgot that half withered
hand. lie dreamed Of II at night, Il
a. A. A. -.