The Wrangell sentinel., 1910-03-31
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- By John ". Harding
Copyright. 1903. by G. ". Diilins-
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 plate heaped high with sandwiches in one hand and a bowl of hot bouillon in the other. Brooks refused the sand wiches, but he took the bowl, and. holding it in both hands-which trem bled-sipped its grateful contents.
 "Jimsy, you're aWfully good," he sighed.
 "Oh, no-none of that" protested Smith. Tell me what brought you here. What can I do for you?'
 T don't know why 1 came. after after the way I acted last time. r.
 Never mind that. Let's forget about it.''
 "No. I have no right here. Jimsy, I'm done for"
 How done for?"
 "I am, and you'll kick me out, as 1 deserve, when you know Jimsy, I've done it again. I'm thief a second time, and again for a woman."
 Smith looked grave, but he said nothing.
 "What! You don't get up and kick me? Well, well! I suppose it's just like you, but I rather hoped you would. You're the only man who wouldn't. But wait till you hear. l can tell it to you because you can't help me. No body can. I'm beyond helping"
 Better try a sandwich first sug gested Smith, "There's no hurry
 "Thanlls; I think I will. That beef tea did me good.'
 He ate three sandwiches ravenously, washing them down with water.
 "There isn't whole lot to relate.' he said. You can fill in the details for yourself. I tried backing the ponies again; then I stole from the bank. There was an examination of the books at the bank four days ago. l didn't turn up there that day, and haven't been there since; but, of course. the game is up. l wandered about. drink ing to try to forget my troubles till all my money was gone. Then l sobered up, and here 1 am. This time there's no one to save me. The bank couldn't be fixed, even if had the funds to make my stealings good. They'd get ne wherever I hid myself. that's sure. They must be looking for me now. And. o God. can't face it..'
 Tears rained down his face-tears that he made no effort to hide or wipe away.
 T knew I was going headlong down to hell-knew what I was doing-saw the certain punishment-yet couldn't stop myself Ard now l have reached tie mouth of tie pit.'
 He shuddered and writhed in agony of torment, turning his pitiful, stream ng eyes upcn Smith.
 "Oh. Jinsy, if you would only kil' ne and end it all" he moaned. "Gh, f l only had thc courage to kill ny self"
 Smith, great,y a@itated. locked at the miserable man ia perpeXiEg.
 q wish l could help ycu. Joe" he said But this time I don't see how you can be helped"
 Tt isn't possible. There's nothing you could do. I'm done for. It's uT own fault" he sobbed. T brought it all on myself. l have been weak-oh. g9e2!Z-and feel. And now it's come to this. No: nobody's to blame but my self-unless it's Emma"
 He rose to %.
 "ShaEe hands with nc. Jimsy," he begged. its the hand of thief. a criminals hand, lat Fou were glad b take it in friendship oage. when it was honest. and it's tie last tine I'll ever ask you to Go an.thing for me. You'n never see laa ag2in.'
 Smith Grasged the hand held out to him. and his pressure was more olo- CUent of his feelings than mere words could have been. He could find no phrases adequate to express them, so renGined silent. but he slipped into the wretched mans pocket as Brooks passed out of the door a bundle Of banknotes that he had taken without counting from q drawer.
 Snow had begun to fall. A high wind, blowing apparently from all quarters. hardened the flakes and pro- pelled them with stinging force into the faces of the people in the streets. Brooks had no umbrella, nor had lie gloves, and the wind cut to the bone. Yet he paid scant heed to his discom- fort and ambled away from Smiths abode. He turned up his coat collar and pulled his hat over his eyes. More than once when he thought he was being followed he went sick with fear. Every minute he pXDpctfl tO feel n