Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-06-19

speechless when after his trembling
fingers had turned on the rear light he
saw the man before him was none
other than Malcolm Dalzell. who stood
white and quiet facing his captor.
IL can't comprehend" Thompson
almost stammered. still covering the
marauder with his revolver. you
OF all peoplew
The man before him moistened his
lips. Lewis" he said at last, "will
you believe me II say, In spite Of this,
I'm not the robber-that it's just I'M
fortunate circumstances that have
brought this about? Will you"
Lewis Thompson recovered his cool
ness, end he laughed shortly. sarcas-
tically. CHANGING significantly at the
dark lantern. the fallen Jimmy. the
goods piled at hand for removal.
81 don't see any one but you. Dali
zell." he said CURLY. you've got to
take your medicine. You can plead
kleptomanla, you know. Rising young
business man, easy circumstances, no
need TO rob-why. Of course, it's KEEP
tomaniaw
There was little triumph edging
into his laugh as what this meant to
his rival dawned upon him. And 1t
was likewise dawning upon his cap
tive, who shut his jaw when the mar
shall hastily summoned, almost re-
fused to obey Thompson's command to
take the prisoner to the jail.
go ahead, smith," was all that NAL
colin Dalzell would say. and he walked
to the lookup with his head in the air.
The whole town shared the sensa-
lions OF Smith the next morning, and
the Rosemont Banner exhausted all its
heavy black faced type that evening
and paused only for absence Of more
space. II was paralyzing. horrifying.
this downfall Of man like Malcolm
Dalzell. one OF those queer groupings
out OF hidden tendencies that some
times destroy the worlds best.
The three days that interviewed be-
fore his preliminary hearing drew lines
In Dalzell's face and gave him pallor
that usually It takes age to bring. Yet
he maintained those close shut lips
and. further than stating he was not
guilty, refused to talk.
When he faced his friends and
neighbors at the preliminary hearing
there was trace OF proud defiance In
his glance that yet was strangely hurt
for OH many faces he read dawning
wavering in allegiance to him.
Much talk had bred suspicion, and
every one knew OF the long rivalry be-
tween the two men. What more natu-
raj than that Dalzell should attempt to
harass, to ruin his opponent? So they
waited for 'he sensational disclosures
The sense ton came. As usual with
sensations. It was quite different from
what was expected. This white faced
girl, with eyes Redeemed by tears, who
suddenly presented herself struck pity
from the heart OF the hardest. She
spoke rapidly. breathlessly.
malcolm did not do It" she protest
ed. with tight clasped hands. IF he
won't tell ! will. now that know the
TRUTH II was Dick. my brother, and
Malcolm. who also was watching, saw
him and entered Thompson's store to
save him. TO get him away. to help
him, and when Lewis Thompson came
upon him-he, Malcolm, would not tell
because
Afilly wainwrights voice died away.
but the END or the sentence was iur-
nished by Malcolm Dalzell's quick step
to her side and hiding her tears on his
shoulder. Both had made their sacri-
fee for each other and out Of the bit.
terness had snatched happiness. And
Rosemont. with the fickleness OF the
human race. said It served Lewis
Thompson right and he should have
had more common sense.