The evening world., 1911-10-07

that old noisy ra,tletrap wagon and
climb aboard Il without the driver hear
ing him.? Why. the wagon groans at
every move. Wouldn't the noise OF my
climbing aboard have disturbed your
But II didn't. l never heard a
sound
Perhaps not. But at headquarters
they Nigh not believe you In fact you
know no one would They'd say 1t
was impossible"
We'll. even so. Amt I go. you here
to prove'-
ITO prove that. as soon as you found
I couldn't pay the 500 ia promised,
you ~repented OF your bargain 20 snug
gle me through the lines. and brought
me back again.
WHAT? what's tina YOU sayT'
sput,ered the farmer. you'd tell 'em
a whopper like that?"
Wouldn't my story seem the more
probable OF the two" pursued Max,
relentlessly.
The farmers stupid face was a study.
Max's earnestness and glib plausibility
In outlining the situation had made a
deep impression on the illiterate mans
mind. The boys calm assurance Of his
own l~mpregnable position OF advantage
helped 10 clinch the matter. just ~ Max
had known II would when first hO had
read the fellows weak, timid spirit be-
hind the heavy. clustering manner.
And then" went on Max. you would
have n bit of trouble over the fact you
declared to all the searchers that you
hadn' seen me. That would make II all
the blacker for you, I'm afraid. Have
you ever seen a man hanged" he con-
tinued. with dreadful solemnlty. 1T Is
not a pretty sight. First they bind his
hands behind his back. Then they
quit beloved the farmer, breaking
into perspiration. quit that! Quit 1t,
/ say. And get out of here"
mo-" said Max. slowly. as II consider
ing the subject from all points; mo,
think not. On the whole. I think per
; haps 1t might he better to go hack VIII
; you. 1t might be interesting to see
whether they hans you or only shoe
you. When a man Is to be shot they
blindfold'-
t stop" chartered the farmer. II ain
e going to take you back. I'd as sooi
$ handle a rat,lesnake. Go away, yol
g ,oung imp, II . son OF mine was a
5 wicked as you I'd
I'm not going yet" replied Max
Not tai you sell me the coat and shir
I and the breakfast I want, There's tn
dollar. Go and get the things for ms
n I'm In n hurry. 1t will be broad day
r light soon. And II I'm caught on you
II farm
The man waited 10 hear no more. bu
n boltcd into the house. lie emerged
Ia momen or so later bearing a blu
It bundle I'M Ter one arm. In his othe
d hand he carried a great hunk OF cor
e pone' on the top OF which was stuck
wedge OF pork. Setting the things dow
:. on tho ground, he retreated again
l. the house, grumbling as he went:
/. There's your breakfast, And there
an old shirt OF mine and n coat ! pickle
4 M on the field after Chancellorsvil
Take EN- and get out
lie slammed the house door shut b.
hind him and locked It. Max fell upc
W the coarse breakfast and ate quick
u" and with al, a healthy boys appetlt
Hts hasty meal ended, Max unroll'
" the bundle the farmer had so co
20 ,emptuously thrust upon him. II co
tanned a much worn calico shirt and
'd blue uniform coat. Max gazed In su
: prlse at the latter garment, II was q
4 dress uniform coat OF a Federal colon'
IS The gold braid had been cut away, b
n the coat was new and in other respec
re in perfect condition save for n sm'
- round sinister looking hole that W
drilled through It's front Just abo
cd uhore the wearer's heart would |
m May recalled the farmer's odd words
ry "A coat | picked NJ on the field AFT
Va ChancellorsrHle'
"Wh,n he thought Of the coward
or ron.combatant stripping and despoill
the slain, the boys heart grew b
Mt within him. lie could have wished
had given the man q greater scare
May mt on the shirt. then prepar
no N set forth, leaving the coat where
law. Then. stiyred by some strong fe
A, Ing OF dislike for the idea OF iett'
:" n pallant officers coat remain in si
hands, Max picked up the garmt
we again. rolled It tightly and started G
70 with II under his arm
re The moment OF sentiment, the pie
nd ing M and taking along the coat Il
NJ, seemed an utterly useless incumbrar
he this simple happening was destined
" make all the difference W !
and death TO Max Clark during
,,t next few hours,
'' CTo BE C~ontinued)