Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-22

together" f. tEEu@h; to hi;@~cle This
boys father may have been Il criin'-
nal. Nobody knew anything aD"uf
him. He wandered here. shiftlesS'
without energy died. and in all proba-
bilitv left 70 the boy no heritage saTs
that of an Unborn criminal instinct
His reflections were interrupted by
sixth knock on the door, gentle and
hesitatinc this time.
Come in" came the invitation abb
snntly.
Ford arose awkwardly to meet the
caller. Miss Talbot. y-you hereT' he
stammered in surprise. not knowing
what to say. "Won't you sit DOWN."
The young lady bowed stifiiy. declined
the proffered chair "Dd remained
standing.
Jim sent for me-" she said simply.
81 heard he was in trouble
"Yes; at least lie is charged with
st-IarceDS, / mean." explained Ford,
catching at the legal term that sound
ed better. HE said that he had a
witness who could clear him of the
charge. But you-wIIat are you-what
San L do for you, Miss Talbot" he
faltered.
Then, recovering his cOmposure, he
told her what the charge was, stating
substantially what he had been in
formed by the chief.
Suddenly Jim pushed forward. ex-
citedly interrupting. You mustn't
mind my buttin' in" he begged. I'm
Goin' to tell you all ics' how it all wuz
Let me have my say" he protested.
| I'm not guilty. / didn't take the
! boys watch. You know | couldu' "a
done such thing. 1t WIS this way"
| He came a little nearer. Il took the
| watch in fun. an John knowcd it. |
told him what / meant to do. He un-
| derstands. Me an Johns the best of
| friends. l couldn't "A taken his watch
or anybody clse'S. I'm no thief. Me
an him fixed Things all up. He PROM
! iscs to 30 what told him. He had me
arrested on purpose. and jest at the
last minute he will come i'm ana clear
me before the case comes up before
the mayor. 1t must not 90 on the
book.
THAT was all fun: all made up" he
hurried on more holdly 10 explain.
What | mean is this: You've both
| been 50 good To me. An then YOU
you parted au'-an wouldn't have
nOthin' to do with each other. II near
! ~ killed me. | didn't know what was
the matter with you all. wanted to
bring you together once more. an so
lay wake at night thinkin'. thinkin.
thEkin' Au' then il all come to me
like a flash. as clear as day. II was
the only way ! could think of dom IT,
1t was the only chance. | knowed it'd
look bad for me for awhile. but
| knowcd it'u be all right when it was
all over an you understood.
I'm not guilty. You two is the
| guilty ones" he pointed his trembling
finger ut them in accusation. you've
stole from each other what youvc cot
10 give back II amt right for you
| all TO act this way. | can't stand it
any more. and you must love-each-
other gain and always
Jim could say no more. Whether it
was his heart his words or mere ex-
| hauStiOn mattcrcd not.
John. the prosecutor" had entered.
| but the presence of this arch coTspir-
ator was not noticed. Ford was the
first to take advantage Of the situation.
He advanced smiiinGly. holding ont
| both his hands 20 Miss Talbot.
I'VE are the CUilty ones sure enough.
Let's take his advice" nc pleaded.
She did not resist. She let him take
her hands. Yes. we are the guilty
ones" she replied lauGhingly. with an
effort to conceal her real feelings. We
| need to be punished
| Ford gayly called TO Jim.
Jim in the cXultation of the moment
| rose proudly TO the occasion.
Life sentence he pronounced
| grandly.