Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-22
DAILY SHORT STORIES

remembered how proud she had been
OF him. What a finc man he was go
ing to be.
And now where were all these hopcs,
In twinkliug they had vanished.
With misty eyes. the girl leaned for
ward gently. rho little hand In its
dainty glove wds laid upon the toll
worn hand In Its cotton one. 'sreti me
more about your boy" she urged soft.
ly. Nt
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
be was a lad. but had to stay mt home
and work on tho farm instead. Ii had
been a great disappointment until the
day of bis death. so when Henry want
ed to be n painter let him go 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 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 moment. The girl
nodded Understandings. and the other
resumed: But things were beginning
to look so bright. He was to paint
rich mans picture as soon as he could
earn enough to buy the necessary ma.
terials-canvas. brushes and things.
And now to be locked up and branded
thief"
II am glad you have told me, and
thank you" said the girl very softly.
IF Henry's mother has such faith I'm
him everything is certain TO como
right. You must let me help you.
know the city very well. for 1t is my
home I'm the winter time. When wo
arrive the carriage will be waiting, and
we will drive Immediately to the court
house."
If the accused artist had seen them
ms they entered the courtroom he
might have found I'm their faces-the
wan. pitiful countenance of his dis
tracted mother and the glowing fea-
lures Of her young companion-inspir-
alton for picture to be called Hope
and Despair" but his head was bowed
low ana his face was buried In his
hands as he sat waiting for his case
to be called.
Seating the little old woman In a
secluded corner. the girl hurried for
ward and asked court attendant 10
permit her to speak to the Judge The
man conducted her to the bench. and
his honor signified his willingness to
hear her
If the case of Henry Burrows has
not yet been called" she pleaded, "will
you please have 1t dismissed? / am
Miss Stanficld. the person who lost the
diamond horseshoe. and do not wish
to appear against him. You will re-
member that nothing was found upon
him when he was searched. There
has been great mistake. and the horse
shoe Is now safe In my possession"
SO saying. she unclaspcd pin from
the laces Mt her throat and laid II upon
the desk. curious golden horseshoe.
with the diamond nails finshing bril-
l!aDtly.
With n puzzled expression The judge
scanned closely for moment her
flushed. eager face and then motioned
to two men seated together in the
room. "The witnesses" he said i'm
pressively, "are positive that the man
unclasped the pin"
Quickly the girl turned 10 the men.
This Is the pin. is It not?" she asked.
1T is a design one would not forget
easily There has been great mis-.
take" Then, with lowered voice, she
added: IF her son should he pro-
nounced guilty It will break his old
mothers heart. Think of that, gen
tlemen. before you act"
Silently and with respectful admlra.
ton the men regarded her. 81 see"
said one Of them finally. that 1t is all
n mistake. as you say"
A few moments later THE case of
Henry Burrows dismissed" rang out
through the courtroom. and the old
woman turned eXcitedly to those near
by and cried 1ubilantly: II knew It.
My boy. my boy"
The girl stood looking up into the
white, tense face of the young artist.
why did you do iti' he demanded
curly.
without finching the girl looked
straight into his eyes and answered
The faith your mother has in her son
should never be permitted TO grow
less"
With n quick sob the man hid his
face from her cleaning eyes.
ut never shall be-" he declared. do
you believe meY'
In answer she held out her hand.
Then he spoke again: 1T was the
madness OF despair. When saw them
coming to search me | throw the pin
through an open window. 1t must
have fallen into the marshes or into
the wafer below the hridnn unrr,