Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-06-10

born, miserable wretcheS he IA help
ed. In their midst was the one man
in the world who could throw a true
light on the went of the past, enable
him to-
Behind him some one followed. some
n who drew ever nearer. with soft.
skulking steps which now he heard
MIR. Steelel' Even as he wheeled
his name was called out.
Before the sudden fierce passion
cleaning ON John Steele's face, the
bright flame Of his look. the person
who had accosted him shrank back.
His pinched and pale face showed SUR
prise, fear. Almost incoherently he
began to stammer.
Steele looked about. They two. as
far as he could see. were alone.
81 ask your pardon" The fellow
found his voice. "Ill not be troubling
you further. Mr.. Steele"
you were about to beg-of meY'
John Steele smiled.
Dandy Joe began to shuttle off in a
spiritless way when
You are hungry" said John Steele.
"a little. sir"
"a modest answer in view of the
actual truth, l suspect" observed the
other. But, although his words were
brusque, he felt in his pocket. A SOW
ereign-it vas all he had left about
him. When he had departed post
haste for Strathorn House he had
neglected to furnish himself with
funds for an indefinite period. A On
tingency he should have foreseen had
risen. For the present he could not
appear at the bank to draw against
the balance he always maintained
there. John Steele fingered that last
sovereign. started to turn. when he
caught the look in the others eyes.
Did it recall to him his own plight
but a short twenty-four hours be-
fore?
Every well!' he said. and was about
to give the coin to the man and walk
away when another thought held him.
This fellow had been a link in d
certain chain of events. The tempta-
ton grew to linger with him. the
single, tangible. though paltry and
useless figure in the drama he could
lay hands on. John Steele looked
around. In a byway he saw the light
ed window of a cheap oyster buffet.
Motioning to the man. he wheeled
abruptly and started for it.
A few minutes later found them
seated il the shabby back room. A
number of faded sporting pictures
adorned the wall. One-how John
Steele started!-showed the Frisco Pc
in u fayorite attitude.
Steele spoke now. His dark eyes
sLone strangely. A sardonic express
sion lurked there. The proprietor
could bring his companion a steak IL
he had one. Large or small? Large,
with an enigmatical smile.
The proprietor hustled out.
A voice, hoarse, that of a man. was
heard.
THE blarsted fog is coming down
fast
The smaller man drew back. A
SILVER seemed to over him. They
rmsafoug ~nFrr 5ou rns rfcEr. ~
murmured.
"Your testimony helped to send him
over the water. | believer" said Steele.
pointing out the picture of the Frisco
Pet to Dandy Joe.
How do you | amt on the stand
now, Mr.. Steelep!' A spark of defiance
momentarily came into Dandy Joe's
eyes.
mo, no" John Steele leaned back.
1.-THE harms been done so far as you
are concerned. You as a factor have
disappeared from the case"
Glad to zeal you say so. Mr.. Steele.
/ mean,'' the others voice was uncer-
tain, cautious, that's a matter long
since dead and done with. But as for
my testimony helping to send him
over the water
"Or under.w soto voce.
Joe swallowed. 'It was true, every
word of it,"
"Goodw John Steele spoke almost
listlessly. Always stick by any one
who sticks to you whether a friend or
a pal or a patron"
"A patron" From the others lips
fell an oath.
But even if there had been some
thing not quite-strictly in accord
which there wasn't"-quickly-"a man
couldn't g~ainsay what had been said, +"
Dandy Joe began.
HE could" indifferently.
But that would be-
"Confessing to perjury? Yes"
Hold on, Mr.. Steele" The mans
eyes began to shine with alarm. I'm
not on the
Il know. And it wouldn't do any
good il you were"
you mean"-in spite of himself the
fellows tones ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS he's
under the waterY'
mo; / had in mind that ven if he
hadn't beer drowned, your
tEJIyofT ITodn5f ~