The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-03-02

ing to be-!
And now where were all these hopes:
In a twink!ing they had vanished.
With misty eyes. the girl leaned for
ward gently. The little hand in its
dainty glove was laid upon the toll
worn hand in its cotton one. "Tell me
more about your boy" she urged soft /
y.
Almost eagerly the old woman con-
tinued: HE has always been such a
good boy. poor. like his father and
grandfather before him, but honest al
ways and honorable as they were. His
father wanted to paint pictures when
he was a lad. but had to stay at home
and work on the farm instead. 1t had
been a great disappointment until the
day of his death. so when Henry want
ed to be u painter l let him 60. He
has had hard times. I'm afraid-he is
looking to poor and white and thin
and when our neighbor called to see
him there, in the city he found him
living in such a crowded place way up
near the roof. But that's for the sky
light. Henry says. Artists like to be
high up. and I'm not to worry"
She paused and regarded the girl
questioningly for a moment. The girl
nodded Understandings. and the other
resumed: But things were beginning
to look so bright. He was to paint a
rich mans picture as soon as he could
earn enough to buy the necessary ma
terials-canvus. brushes and things.
And now to he locked up and branded
a thief"
II am glad you have told ME. and |
thank you.'' said the girl very softly.
IF Henry's mother has such faith in
him everything is certain to come
right. You must let me help you. l
know the city very we'll. for it is my
home in the winter time. When we
arrive the carriage will be waiting. and
we will drive Immediately to the court
house."
If the accused artist had seen them
AS they entered the courtroom he
might have found in their faces-the
wan. pitiful countenance Of his dis
tracted mother and the glowing fea-
lures of her young companion-inspir-
alton for a picture to be called Hope
and Despair" but his head was bowed
low and his face was buried in his
hands as he sat waiting for his case
to be called.
Seating the little old woman in q
secluded corner. the girl hurried for
ward and asked a court attendant tc
permit her to speak to the judge. The
man conducted her to the bench. and
his honor signiied his willingness tC
hear her.
"If the case of Henry Burrows has
not yet been called" she pleaded. Evil
you please have it dismissed? an
Miss Stanfeld, the person who lost the
diamond horseshoe, and I do not wish
to appear against him. You will re
member that nothing was found upol
him when he was searched. There
has been a great mistake, and the horse
shoe Is now safe in my possession"
So saying. she unclasped a pin from
the laces at her throat and laid it upol
the desk, a curious golden horseshoe
with the diamond nails flashing bril-
liantly.
With a puzzled expression the judg'
scanned closely for a moment he
flushed. eager face and then motione,
to two men seated together in TIN
room. 1.-The witnesses" be said i'm
pressively, ARE positive that the ma
unclasped the pin"
Quickly the girl turned to the men
"This il the pin, is 1t not?" she asked
t 1T is a design one would not forge
? easily. There has been a great mis-
take" Then, with lowered voice, sh
added: If her son should be pre-
1 nounced guilty it will break his oil
mothers heart. Think of that, ger
! tlemen. before you act"
Silently and with respectful admira
ton the men regarded her. II see,'
said II of them finally. that 1t is al
. a mistake. as you say"
. A few moments later 1.-The case o
Henry Burrows dismissed" rang on
. through the courtroom. and the oil
S woman turned excitedly to those nea
by and cried jubilantly: II knew il
My boy. my boy"
The girl stood looking up into tn
e white. ense face Of the young artist.
"Why did you do it," he demande
e CURLY.
Without finching the girl locke
straight into his eyes and answered
''The faith your mother has in her so
should never be permitted to gro,
less"
With a quick sob the man hid hi
face from her cleaning eyes.
n 1T never shall be-" he declared. ID
you believe me?"
In answer she held out her hand.
o Then he spoke again: 1T was th
madness of despair. When l saw thel
coming to search me l threw the pi
e through an open window. It mus
o have fallen into the marshes or int
the water below the bridge. How
then. can you have it today?"
n They woro STA III uvito olono hv