The Washington times., 1909-05-20


creted himself near the highway. At
last il vanished around bend OF the
road. and only the fear OF the return
| ing sheriff remained.
1t was a long walk Alton had set HIM
self. and the distance was only about
half covered, as near as Jim coulo
guess, when the long-expected sound OF
the returning horses reached his ears
| Through the clear air of the night jim
could hear the sheriff spesking. lie
moved quickly to the side or the ROAD
and waited behind a large tree.
II don't see how he got ABOARD that
train without them seeing him." the
sheriff was saying; "but it don't mat
ter much, they'll get him afcre they
get ten miles down the track"
"The nerve o. him to send We thet
note" commented the sherif's compsn-
ion. Got it safe, amt We? May want
il fur evidence. I tell"
The rest of the sentence was lost as
the horses resumed a trot and the We
hicie disappeared in the darkness
I'm glad they got my message" jim
told himself as he plodded on.
It was not until the lights of Chanton,
dim and far apart. shone before him,
that he realized, he had forgotten COM
pletely about the second automobile.
Now he wondered why it, too, had not
passed him on its way to town.
The only explanation was that It's
owner had determined to return 70 Ma
drid and spend the night there, and with
this thought Jim dismissed it from his
| thoughts
Now that he knew where he was he
| decided TO take TO the fields and ap-
proach the Gordon house across lots,
| fearing that he might he recognized by
some late wayfarer. He figured that 1t
must be now o'clock in the morning
at least. but the bare possibility Of cap
ture drove him away from the lights of
the streets.
So II was from the darkness of the
open field behind the house that he At
last iieared his Jestination and saw be
fore him the building which contained
all that he loved and the only being IN
the world who cared for him.
In to the open woodshed he crept, and
there in an old chair which had passed
it's usefulness for parlor purposes he
rested his tired body. The same feeling
Of necessity for a sight of Grace came
again with renewed strength, but now
there came also a suspicion that his
wish 10 do so might have brought this
feeling TO his heart, and he doubted his
own honesty of conviction.
For many minutes ne sat there in the
dark. debating with himself. Then,
! freed from the slightest doubt, he rose
and walked softly around the house to
the front door.
For some reason he first tried the
knob in the hope that they had for
answering give to the great piece Of oak
told him that such was the fact.
Quickly he slid through the entrance,
closed the door after him. and was
again standing in the long hall. Then
there came 20 him from the room above,
where &c knew Grace was lying, a low
cry.
The sound wssNrepested. low, intense.
ending in the most heartrending moan
he had ever heard.
Silently Jim ran down the hall TO the
stairs, and with no missteps mounted
them For the third time came the cry,
and then he was at her door, past II,
and kaeeling at the oed by her side.
Jim, Jim" she murmured. and her
soft hand was pressed against his face.
"oh. Jim, knew you would come
"Gracie, dear came Mrs. Graham's
voice from the other side Of the
couch, hell come soon, dear"
I'm all right nog, aunt, he's here by
my side"
Yes. yes. know"
But he is; sec. feel his hair, see.
aunt"
yes. Mrs. Graham" and Jim spoke
low. "she is right have come back"
THANK Cod cried the woman, "Oh,
Jim, don't let them take you away
again. Dont!'
NO. Jim, you mustn't go again with
out me, DEAR and GTace's voice con-
tained a new note. i've thought It all
out, Jim; we've Just got 10 be together.
You'll keep me with you, won't you,
dear?'
Grace, Grace" cried Jim, utterly
overcome by her words, have you
been feeling badly?"
Jim. do YOU know that I almost"
and there was something Of horror in
her voice. II almost forgot about baby,
wanted you so. 7 don't understond IL,
dear. but II seemed as though would
lose my mind il you did not come back.
Just tell me that you will stay here by
me: I'm so tired. Jim, and want 20
sleep. And now 7 can, dear, when I
can feel you near me"
Yes, yes, Grace" he sobbed, "rM
stay, I'll stay
Kneeling there he rested his, head by
her side, and her breath came regular
ly as her hand strrxed his hair.
a