Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-07-17

saw the man before him was none
other than Malcolm Dalzcll, who stood
white and quiet facing his captor.
II can't comprehend" Thompson
almost stammcrcd still covering the
marauder with his revolver. You
of all pcople.
The man before him moiStcned his
lips. Lewis" he said at last, ''wiE
you believe me If | say. in spite of this,
I'm not the robbcr-that it's just un.
fortunate circumstances that have
brought this about? Will you?'
Lewis Thompson recovered his cool
ness, and he laughed shortly. sarcas-
tically glancing significantly at the
dark lantern, the fallen jimmy, the
goods piled at hand for removal.
81 don't see any one but you, DaI-
zcll," he said curtly. you've got to
take your medicine You can plead
klcptomania, you know. Rising young
business man, easy circumstances, no
need to rob-why. of course, it's klep-
tomania"
There was a little triumph edging
his rival dawncd 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.
eco ahead, Smith," was all that NAL
colin DalzcH would say. and he walked
,,.itI I, hnn1 n thn a ir
The whole town shared the SrnSa-
tions of Smith the next morning, and
the RoScmont Banner exhausted all its
heavy black faced type that evening
and paused only for absence of more
space. 1t was paralyZlng. horrfying,
this downfall OF a man like Malcolm
DalZcll, one of those queer groupings
out of hidden tendencies that some
times destroy the worlds best.
The three days that intcrrcncd be-
fore his preliminary hearing drew lines
In DalzcIrs 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
nclghbors at the preliminary hearing
there was ~ trace of proud defiance in
his glance that yet was strangely hurt,
for on many faces he read Il dawning
wavcring 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 DalZcll should attempt to
harass. to ruin his opponent? So they
waited for the sensational disclosures.
The sensation came. AS usual with
sensations, 1t was quite different from
what was expected. This white faced
girl, with eyes rcIldcncd by tears, who
suddenly presented herself struck pity
from the heart of the hardest. She
spoke rapidly. brcathlessly.
"NIalcolm did not do it," she protest
ed. with tight claSped hands. IF he
won't tell l will. now that know the
truth. 1t was Dick. my brother, and
Malcolm, who also was watching, saw
him and entered ThompSonS store to
save him, to get him away, to help
him. and when Lewis Thompson came
upon him-he, Malcolm, would not tell
because
Milly Wainwright'S voice died away.
but the end of the sentence was fur
niShcd by Malcolm Dalzells 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
terncSS had SnatChcd happiness. And
Roscmont. with the ficklcncss of the
human race. said 1t served Lewis
Thompson right and he should have
had more common sense.