The Columbus journal., 1908-06-17
CHAPTER VII. (continued.)

CHAPTER VII. (continued.)
MY name is Dudley-Giles Dudley
Where is Wilton?"
Dead"
Dead? Did you kill him." The
halfkindly look disappeared from her
eyes and the hard lines settled into
an expression of malevolent repulsive.
ness.
He was my best friend" said sad.
ly; and then l described the leading
events of the tragedy had witnessed.
The old woman listened closely, and
with hardly the movement of muscle.
to the tale told.
And you think he left his job to
you?" she said with sheer.
Il have taken 1t up as we'll as
can. To be frank with you, Mrs. Bor-
ton, ] know nothing about his job.
I'm going along on blind chance, and
trying to keep a whole skin"
The old woman looked at me in
amazement
Poor boy" she exclaimed half
pityingly, half-admiringly. You put
your hands to job you know nothing
about, when Henry Wilton couldn't
carry it with all his wits about him"
Il didn't do it," said sullenly. 1T
has done itself. Everybody insists
that I'm Wilton. If I'm to have my
throat slit for him l might as well
try to do his work. I wish to Heaven
1 knew what it was, though"
Mother BortOn leaned her head on
her hand, and gaZed on me thought
fully for a full minute.
Young man." said she impressive
ly. take my advice. There's train
for the East in the mornin'. Just git
on board. and never you stop short of
Chicago"
I'm not running away" said l bit
terly. I've got score to settle with
the man who killed Henry Wilton.
When that score is settled, I'll go to
Chicago or anywhere else. Until that's
done, l stay where l can settle it."
Mother Borton caught up the candle
and moved it back and forth before
my face. In her eyes there was
CLEAN of savage pleasure.
by God, he's in earnest" she said
to herself, with strange laugh. Tell
me again of the man you saw in the
alley
l described DoGdridge Knapp.
And you are going to get even with
him? she said with a chuckle that
had no mirth in it
Yes" said l shortly.
Why, if you should touch him the
people of the city would tear you to
pieces"
Il shall not touch him. I'm no as
sassin," exclaimed Indignantly. The
law shall take him, and Ill see him
hanged as high as Hannah"
Mother Borton gave low, gurglinS
laugh.
The law! oh. my liver-the law.
How young you are, my boy! Oh. no.
oh no." And again she absorbed her
mirthless laugh. and gave me an evil
grin. Then she became grave again.
and laid a claw on my sleeve. Take
my advice now. and git on the train"
Not H." l returned stoutly.
I'm doing it for your own good"
she said, with as near an approach to
a coaxing tone as she could command.
1t was long since she had used her
voice Tor such a purpose and it grated.
For my sake Id like to see you go
on and wipe out the whole raft of
'em. But l know whatll happen to
We, honey. I've took a fancy to We.
1 don't know why. But there's a look
forty years, and-don't try it. dearie."
There were actually tears in the
creatures eyes, and her hard, wicked
face softened. and became almost
tender and womanly
Il can't give up" said. The work
is put on me. But can't you help me?
l believe you want to. l trust you.
Tell me what to do-where I stand.
I'm all in the dark, but l must do my
work"
1t was the best appeal I could have
made.
You're right" she said. I'm an
old fool, and you've got the real sand.
You're the first one except Henry Will
ton that's trusted me in forty years,
and you won't be sorry for it, my boy.
You owe me one. now. Where would
you have been tonight IL l hadn't
had the light doused on ye?"
"Oh, that was your doing. was it?
l thought my time had come"
'tOh, was sure you'd know what to
do. 1t was your best chance"
Then will you help me now"
The old crone considered. and her