The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-09
message was. and IL

r. HE prison attendant dppiodcneo
BesE and handed her a note. She
could not imagine what Ir1e
message was. and it rather start
1ea her
opening it hurHedly. she read:
.Bess. Must see YOU at once. Come
~ me as quickly as you can. YOU must
'' here Oel''s . 'i-7 a. 's' JIM"
Not understanding at all what the
urgent message was about. but knowing
that she must go, Bess turned back 10
the cell where the tramp was confined
and asked him if be would continue the
conversation later.
cant always tell, replied the fel-
low. Sometimes 4 feels like talkin'
an other ITEMS it hurts me mouth ter
say a word.
Bess had no time for further talk
she turned TO the man Jim had seni
with the message and told him TO carry
word To Jim that she would be there on
time
AS Bess rushed out of the little jail
she almost bumped into a man. Draw
ing back Confusedly. she looked at hin.
oh. IT'S you, Tom she said quickly
recognizing her cousin.
YES. Bess. and ] want 10 talk TO
vow. It's real important ne replied
sorry" snsw cred the girl. but just
now ] have something far more I'M
portant If you call at aunts this af-
ternoon 7 can see YOU, after o'clock
"AlI right" said TOM and Bess hur-
Tied on.
When she had gone a little further a
sudden notion possessed her TO turn
around As she faced about she saw
Tom Just disappearing into the jail
II wonder what he's going 10 do in
thereg'' she asked herself curiously-
Then the girl hurried on 10 her aunt's.
procured a horse. and started at once
for the States prison.
Reaching the jail. she was shown TO
Jim's cell. The guard that conducted
her had a suspicious air about him. The
whole atmosphere of the place was
pregnant with The spirit of a great hap
pening that day.
Bess vaguely wondered what could be
the matter. She remembered the incl
deut Gordon had told her about Jim
being nearly caught with the button
that contained q plan OF escape.
Then she understood why the guard
who conducted her seemed suspicious,
and why he stood right at her side when
they stopped IN front OF Jims cell
ooh hello" cried Jim, jumping up
from his cot and approaching the bars.
Bess noted with a pang that his face
was much worn. His eyes seemed to
he the only movable things in his head.
They were so prominent on account OF
the thiuness OF his face and the dark
lines below that 10 Bess he looked an
emaeated starved, shipwrecked man.
lie was a most piuabie sight
I'm so clad you came at once. Z
eas worried for fear that rhe messeu-
ger would bee unable 10 ind you"
What is the matter. Jim2' she asked.
noting his apparent agitation.
1--WE been worrying over this Mrs
snow business, girl he replied slowly
Understand, i realize that you did your
best, and I certainly couldn't expect you
no DO the Impossible"
But. Jim. I could have tried harder
she broke ins wave OF emotion chok-
ing her.
so, no. Eezss you couldn't y on Ger
faiuly did you best But i wish you'd
just tell me the detaiIs-
He broke on quickly The guard had
suddenly been called away by one OF
the prisoners With urtive eyes Jim
watched the man, while hLs lips breath
cd 90 Besz Hl "a low tone.
quick. Bess. remember 1Eis The
lawyer has a little of my money left
I've friend that's going t1 undertake
iHIs mission for me tonight
"Oh Jim. let me try again. J. IN So
LeEs interrupted. bat Jim stopped her
with "a low warning TO silence.
.eshhh'' Ic whispered. don't say .
word. He'll be back in "a second and 2
must arrange this. Get that money. Igs
about $500. Also get the 5000 you have.
There "a tree opposite water tank. It's
an old tree the nearest one 10 The
tsuk-
Jim chopped the word Off abruptly.
His shifting eyes had found that the
guard was returning 10 Bess' side
Changing back to hla former line OF
taIk. the prisoner said. easily.
Now, please give nae all the details
bout your trip 10 NlekeubuFs Bess.
was so worked up over your failure
before that I couldn't pay any atJeu-
Uon 10 what sou said How close did
sou come TO finding Mrs snow
Not very close, answered eBss, con-
cealing her excitement with difficulty,
for she feared that the guard might
have overheard the last part Of Jim
speech about the money.
The point IS. how close" the prisoner
continued. did YOU set any good clue
at aU2"
Nothing except that she had been