The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-12-29

Carl MAXWELL" the clergyman's
voice had tone Of unbelief. what
do you mean-how can It be Carl
MAXWELL"
The man swung forward. Look at
me-" he said, and pulled away his hat.
Harding looked searchingly, and with
a quick movement set on the floor the
bag he held, and caught the others
hand.
my boy, I'm glad to see you," he
said. Help me unharness. We must
get fire and something to eat as
soon as possible"
AS If it were custom to find men
waiting in the stable at a. NJ, DR..
Harding talked of the horse and the
harness and the roads as they un-
buckled the frozen leather, and the
mans fingers slipped into the once ia.
miliar business, and his ears listened
to the once familiar voice. Ten min.
utes of swift work and the harness
hung on its hooks, and the horse stood
cared for and blanketed, in Its stall
Maxwell swung across the stable and
lifted the small black bag.
IN take that. Carl" the clergy.
man spoke quietly.
"No-let me carry 1t for you," the
younger man threw back, holding to
it firmly.
There was a seconds hesitation;
Harding's fingers loosened; he turned
to the door; Carl Maxwell held the
bag in his hands.
Down the slope Harding led the
way, and through the orchard wildly
black and white with moonlight and
shadow. Suddenly he faced about
the footsteps behind him had stopped
he stared through the zigzag of bare
branches and deep shadows-where
was the man?
Carl" he called, and out of a
splash of blackness ten feet lack
stirred the figure.
"All right, DOCTOR" Maxwell's voice
answered. Il stopped to see If the
seat built In the Queen apple-tree
was still there"
A low light shone in the study as
the two mounted the steps of the side
piazza, and the clergyman slipped his
key into the lock.
He threw open the door and stood
aside to let his guest enter. The man
halted. and made an uncertain move
ment backward. Then he stepped in
side. In a moment the light was
turned up, the fire was blazing, the
room hung with cheerfulness. Max
we'll stared about it, at the books, at
the papers, at the worn furniture.
The clergyman watched him a mo-
ment, and then turned to tray
II don't know about you, Carl, but
I'm hungry" He held out plate
of sandwiches.
The young fellow set the bag down
hurriedly and stretched out his hand.
He was shivering, and he looked
starved. Then the hand dropped. His
teeth chartered, and he stared blank
ly into the clergyman's face.
Il came here to rob you" he said.
Harding gazed at him; his glance
wandered to the black bag; he turned
his back and bent over the coffee,
bubbling above an alcohol lamp Max
well regarded him miserably. Harding
lifted his head with smile.
We'll talk that over later, CARL
he said. "Sit by the fre-you're cold.
And drink this coffee"
The man sat down. The hot coffee
was almost at his mouth, when he
looked up into the others face.
How do you know l won't take the
money!" he asked. Il could"
The parson laughed. He put a
friendly hand on the deep shoulder
and patted it, as If the man were a
child. well, yes, you could" he said.
Drink your coffee, Carl"
Ten minutes later the man stood be.
fore the fire and told his story. He
finished the recital with look of bit
terness in his eyes.
believe I'm fool" he said.
The money means the chance Of my
life for start-and I've no other
chance. l meant to take 1t, till the
children came, and then lost my
nerve. Alice has grown a lot. taught
her her first word-do you remem.
Der? l didn't do the beast act entire.
ly to get rid of them. did it SO they
wouldn't be disappointed. I'm fool
I'd planned the thing and l ought to
have put it through. l could have
gone to China, and in a year I'd have
sent back the money-I'd have had a
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