The Washington times., 1909-05-08
THE HAND OF THE UNKNOWN
By ROBERT RUSSELL
Written Expressly Serial for the Washington Times.
Dramatic, Translation, and All Other

person who lost It, and I win give it to
no one else
That's all right, sheriff, I'll see that
he does" said Mr.. Black, "and, by the
way, you had better take a good look at
him. have an idea that he was going
to get away with IT, hut now sees that
it is too late. Look at his clothes. A
hobo almost
The sheriff, who now came close to
Jim, answered firmly.
That win. Mr.. Black: he does look
kind of seedy."
Jim's anger had cooled now, and, re-
alizing that he ought to try to control
his temper, he made a low bow to the
{ officer of the law and turned to go.
Just a moment" said Black. with a
confident laugh. Il am going with you
to see that you do Is you say you will
1 guess I will take ycur arm
| II guess you'll not" and Jim turned
a now-incensed face upon his tormentor-
/ You may follow me IL you care to,
but am not compelled to walk in your
| company"
Black also showed his anger again,
and two determined men faced each
other.
| 'See here" said the native, ''you have
got to act carefully when you are IN
this town: P'-and he turned to see that
the sheriff was beyond hearing distance
IT own the officials here; I'm the boss.
understand II yo1 want to get out Of
here without any trouble, you had better
do about as I say"
But Jin's retort was just as deter
mined, and he showed no signs Of re-
treating from the position he had taken.
You're not my boss he said, ''and
/ IL you don't trust me you may follow
me, as 1 suggested: otherwise 1 viii
go alone. Good-by.'
| Chagrined, but thinking that he would
make no further disturbance, Black
looked at the youth a moment and then
fell in behind him. forcing smile TO
his handsome face.
1t was a strange sensation for this
| city youth, and an unpleasant awaken
ing from the dreams he had had OF the
kindness OF dwellers in the country
| instead Of kindness and generosity to a
stranger, his frf't experience had
brought realization Of the fact that bit
terness and suspicion 10 not exist in the
cities alone, but wherever men live
And so the two walked up the beauti-
full old street, the honest, straightfor-
ward youth leadIns the way according
to the directions which had been given
him, the boss Of the town-a man
very young for such an honor-following
in all confidence.
They had reached a turn where the
old elm tEees softened the noontime
heat OF the summer sun when Black
called out: "Say, you, wait a moment
Fix that head Of yours"
The blood had begun TO flow again
from the cut, and Jim was thankful
that the other had called attention to
( It In a moment he had made the abra-
sion as respectable as possible, and
once more Black spoke.
Now see here" he said. frowning,
''be very careful what you say about
me. for they won't believe stranger
against my word. They're the SWEETEST
and richest people in these parts, spe-
cial friends of mine; and I'm the boss
$50 be careful
ANY more instructions7'' replied
Jim. nth little note of patronage IN
his voice.
There is the place." went on Black.
pointing to a large residence far back
from the street, about which stood
more of the tall trees which had al
ready won Jims heart.
Again he started forward. followed
by his shadow, but now there began tc
come to this youth in whose life Ialere
had been nothing but sorrow, unknd-
ness, ingratitude. and blows, the rnen-
ory of a girl reading a yellow telegram
the recollection of the birth Of grief