Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-17

ticned 20, with startled eyes.
And the box--a box of papers, probably.
mo; if there was box of papers, it is
still there"
Tn the treei"
10 forgot everything amid the wild thoughts
that bit of bent tin and Mats story had
aroused.
"Pl CO." he cried, springing to his feet.
papers is there, and to come back again. 1t
IS the clue have sought ever since | came to
Newton, for that burned cabin was once the
hermit home OF my missing father. John
Sensible 10 acted on a quick impulse for
once in his life, and in his deep excitement
seemed different being as he followed Nat
from the Jail corridor.
His heart and mind were fixed on one en-
crossing theme now-his father Eagerness
had taken the place of anxiety, hope instead
of dread.
IT can come back before they miss me. /
will come back" he promised himself. But
OH | cannot let this opportunity pass to learn
what / have travelled so far and waited SO
long to find QUIT"
Ii 10 Morris had at that moment poured
into the ears of his companion the true story
OF his life, Nat Davis would have been as
founded.
Mats careless mind comprehended that he
was in some way working into mystery.
The name scratched on the medallion, and
vague recollection. of hearing his uncle once
say that 10 Morris had come to Newton from
distant parts in search of a missing father,
had enabled him to put this and that to-
gether, and at last influence 10 to accompany
him.
JOS heart was in his throat as Nat led the
way to pried-up grating in the floor, into a
cellar, and then through a broken scuttle to
the rear yard of the Jail.
STEADY now" whispered Nat. ''The watch
men are. pretty thick about town, on the
lookout for those burglars. Follow me- and
a ara P''0' you straight Is 1t the tree 90
Eyes, yes, the tree" was the quick reply.
Glow have searched the old ruins for some
trace of my father and never thought of the
treei Nat, there. must be box there if you
found the cover"
Cant say. l think there is. We're safe
out of the town limits now. I've had time
of it tonight, 10, and no mistake"
Nat was eager, to tell the story, of his ex::
PLOTS to square himself with the boy he had
wronged, and to outline his intentions in the
interests of honor and right as he meditated
upon them.
How did you get out of that tree, and
why did you come to set me free?" asked 10.
his life in his story and the motives that
prompted its recital
He told 10 everything, from the theft of
his uncle's poeket-book down to his escape
lTOUl IHe lHidfS db squire Lane s.
''rhat settled me, 10. | tell you, honest,
it scared me. I'm no hypocrite, and / don't
go to say I'm high and moral fellow forever
after this, but I'm going to do the, fair thing
by you. They arrested you for what l did,
OF my fix in the tree. When l knew that, 1
sat down and thought They didn't catch
tn, burglars, and they didn't know that I
had their tools. Well, / wandered around a
little, and | got on the track of the burglars"
"For fact: but they are safe and far
enough now. Then came back to the jail
and-I got you out, and here we are. You're
free. I want you to cut for it as soon as you
after this since Mr.. Walpole has discharged
you, and we'll both get in trouble if you
stay"
"You don't mean to have me sneak away
from Newton with that cloud hanging over
III do" "
Well, I simply wont do it."
""I'll bet you will" replied Nat 'Im
Of your scrape and I intend to, but ! amt
going to get myself into one in doing it.
You're free; stay free. Get away from New
ton and give you my word of honor I'll tell
a story that will clear you from any sus-
picion."
10 did not reply, but he secretly, decided
dim idea de-: Of the boys equivocal plans came
into his mind, Nat was sincere, but had
peculiar methods of atoning for his ill-doing,
and they did not come up to JOS moral views.
Here we are" said Nat at last. There's
the tree. There's the spot where I saw the
burglars. and there's the hole l bored in the
tree. Say, 10. suppose there is a box there?
What about your father? You say he lived
here once. Is he dead now? Why didn't
he tell you where he wasp
10 did not reply. His heart was filled with
suspense of no ordinary character. In husky
tone of voice he asked
did you find the box-cover in the bottom
of the tree. Nat?
Eyes"
"Give me the chisel"
"What are you going to do?"
"Cut into the tree. Nat, you don't know
how much it may mean to me to find there
CoNTINIrrn on Dam rr1Ruu