Evening star., 1911-08-20

and glanced at Dick as he took the glass OF
spirits the boy had poured.
Hes had a long trip said Dick depre-
catingly, "and hasn't felt well all evening.
But he would not meet the others eye.
NO need to lie, Dick said Clayton
sharply what time was that one-armed
fellow here?7 He busted himself with fore
ing part OF the liquor down the throat OF
the unconscious man.
Dick could do nothing but stare at him.
"Thatl II do" said the doctor presently.
set the glass on the table. We'll, Dick, you
haven't answered my question, Don't look
so scared, Mani I've
Clifford Prentice stirred, moaned, and
opened his eyes. Three cards, .Iim,' he
muttered. TEX, you-Dick, where are
you9" He glanced wildly about; then
fastened his eyes on Dr. Clayton Presently
he put out a hand and touched the ply
sicians sleeve. Seemingly reassured that
the man was real, he grinncd vacantly, then
jerked his hand away His gray face
whtened $50 its you, Jim, he whispered
in awe. Man, these thirty years your mur
der has been on my soul'
The doctor bent and took his hand. "They
told me you were dead, Jack, he said quiet
". Il traced you as far as Frisco, and then
the trail was lost. What happened?'
Clifford Prentice sat bolt upright. "You
tried to find mel he breathed. "After
what | did to you?' Tears brimmed his
eyes. God bless you for it, Jim! But what
what for?' he faltered
nICk could stand it no longer; this ter
= rible calrnness clashed with the indie
scribable emotion that racked him. With a
wailing cry, he ran blindly from the room,
seeking an atmosphere less oppressive.
Stumbling into his chamber, he threw him
self upon the bed, prey to chaotic thoughts.
Eventually a single idea dominated all the
rest, and he opened his eyes. Like a vision.
Eleanors portrait smiled on him from the
bureau not picture merely. but her spirit
ual presence. Once more, inexplicably she
was within his reach. He rose, stood for a
moment before the photograph, and tiptoed
back to the other room.
Denver Jim and Faro Jack were bridging
over thirty years into the romantic past.
so that was the last OF my pile, the latter
was saving Il don't know how it vent
was drunk al the time Then | was shang
haied round the Horn, and stayed cold
sober for a year. | got to seeing you Of
nights, lin, and If hadn't been worked like
4 dog ID have gone mad. | did have a spell
in hospital after that; then | driftei to
South America, and was the first man into
Uruguay. Now you tell.
Dr. Clayton smiled over 1t Dick, and told
briefly, as was his way. There's not much !
lie began "When | came 10, there were two
men bending over me, prospectors from the
Saddle Horn. The bullet had just creased
my shoulderblade and stunned me- They
heard the shot half a mile away, and came
down just as you and Tex lit out, imagine
| threw in my lot with them, and next day
We struck gold, spur Of the Rawhide lode
In three months | sold out my share for
eleven thousand dollars, went to Frisco
heard you and Bennett had been done for in
a dive on the Barbary Coast, then went to
New York and studied medicine. So, you
sec,7 he ended, smiling at Prentice, you
really were responsible for my success.
Not |, Jim, returned Prentice, shaking
his head; but yourself. Right can never
spring from wrong. And yet, he looked af-
fcctionately at Dick, my sins seem to have
borne good fruit | can't understand it.
thought I'd reached the end tonight, jim
and then you came in and lifted a weight off
my soul. | suppose Ill get used to it after
awhile
The doctor looked at his watch and
jumped up. Great Scott I've forgotten
all about my errand. But there's still time
Dick, Nell sent me over with positive in
structions TO bring you both back with me-
i