The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-12-14

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father had lived, my uncle
wouldn't have turned me out. 1t
was Sidney who was down on me
reliable, satisfactory Sidney,
who never had temptation
never made mistake-never
threw away his birthright for a
mess of pottage. He's gone from
success to success without an eff
fort" The man groaned. 81 hate
hint" he muttered. I'm his flesh
and blood, and he never throws a
Christmas trees together, and
played with our rocking-horses on
the rug before the fire. He was
kind as a big brother to me then.
But now, the ends of the earth
are no farther apart than he and l
| Carl Maxwell, my chances all
gone, failure, pauper." He
shuddered. This night thief.
Ali" The syllable snapped sharp
ly and he threw out his powerful
arms. mo, my chances are not
all gone-there's one left" He
struck his breast with his hand
where the letter lay inside. my
one chance of beginning new is
this night. I'll get that money
which ought to be mine, and to-
morrow I'll be off for China, and
take up Bill Bacon's offer, and be
an honest man, by Heaven, a sue
cessful one this time! I've got it
in me, and I've learned my lesson.
My God! I've learned my lesson.
| I'll work hard and earn my life
and I'll send back this three thous-
and to Sidney Maxwell with my
first savings. l will. Jove-its a
straight road-it's a chance in a
million for a man at the last gasp.
I'd be a cowardly fool not to take
it-and after all I'm just borrow
ing-not stealing. I'll send 1t
back sure as fate"
The sophistry which has sooth-
ed many consciences was good
enough for this desperate one.
Something which felt like self-re-
spect, the unused sensation of a
hope, sent him springing over the
two miles from the railway town
to Fairfield, and through dim,
well-remembered lanes to Fair
field parsonage.
He found his way readily down
thethe shadowy drive to the sta
BILE, and the door, left unlocked
for the master, opened at touch.
The horse. stamped in his stall in
the dark, and Maxwell went to
him and spoke quietly, and he was
still.
There was an empty stall next
where would be put the other
horse arriving with Doctor Hard
! ing, and here the man slowed
himself. When the clergyman led
the animal to the opening, then
while his hands were busy would
be the time. He might have {
struggle, to knock him down per
haps-he set his teeth and drew
in a breath. 1t was not pleasant
to knock down such a friend, but
it had to be done, and he would BIZ
careful not to injure him. A
trained boxer knows how.
He sat drawn together, in tbs
thick straw, waiting. Niger, il
the stall close by, stamped uneas
lily and put his black nose through
the opening above and shifted ant
blew. He could see the horse.
eyes cleaning in the darkness
and feel his warm breath. So set
tied was his mind on the deed tt
come that he dropped into a sleep
comfortably wrapped in the
straw. Yet his nerves were alert
and he sat up quickly, on guard a
light sound from the outside
What was it? Even allowing 70
the snow-covered road it was no
the sound of wheels-and, while
he wondered, the side door of the
building, which faced him as h,
sat hidden, opened. A fate mool
|, had risen, making the Landscape
outside as clear as day, AM
against the white ground he saw
astonished, the figures of tw,
children sharply silhouetted.
The big girl held the boy by tn,
hand as they peered in. The man
unprepared for this complication
watched them, troubled, uncer
tain, and Immediately the DO.
spoke in full, sweet voice.
! Hes not talkin', Alice" TIL,
boy said. Let's go back-It
rather go to bed"
But the girl stepped forward
warily poised, yet determined, an,
drew her brother. maybe h.
doesn't know it's u.s." she said. I"
don't want to go back till see.
She dropped the boys hand an,
was at the door of the box-stall
Niger" she whispered, "Nig
ger" and the horse whinnied AM
turned his head toward her.
The boy had followed, stun
bling across the floor. Maybe hi
doesn't know it's Christmas" h,
suggested. Lets sing a carol s,
he'll remember"
The man in the stall listened
In a low tone, because 1t was s
mysterious business they were on
the two sang:
"Silent night, hallowing dawn
Far and wide breaks the morn,
Breaks the day when Savior o.
Il men
Bringing pardon and healinf
again,
Holy, harmless and undefiled-
), Cometh a little child"
"ardon and healingi"
They sang it and they were ST
lent, waiting. Niger shifted soft
ly, then whinnied.
Benny's slow speech begaI
coaxingly:
81 had a little pony
His name was DappIe Gray;
lent him to a lady"