The Delta independent., 1911-01-06

1what Happened Them" Inquired the
Minister.
My friend was not hurt. The thief,
however, had his leg broken"
What happened them" inquired
the minister; for Orme had paused
"Oh, my friend took the proxies
away He stopped at the nearest
farmhouse and sent help back"
Even in America" commented the
minister. the frien's of the injured
man might see that his hurt was
avenge The man who caused the &C.
cident should be made to suffer"
"Oh. no." said Orme. "If the matter
we're pressed at all. the correct thing
to do would be to arrest the man
with the broken leg. He had stolen
the papers In the FIRST place. Harm
came to him. when he tried to escape
with the papers after stealing them.
But as a matter of fact. the average
American would consider the affair At
IN end"
Your story and mrne are dissim-
liar" remarked the minister.
Perhaps. But they involve . simi-
lar question: Whether a man should
yield passively to a power that ap-
pears to be stronger than his own. In
America we do not yield passively
unless we understand all the bearings
of the case. and see that IT is right
to yield"
At this moment a motor car came
up the drive. There's our car. Bob"
said Bessie. wait a moVent. while
I get my wraps. know fhat you are
impatient to 60"
II know that you are a good friend"
he whispered. as she arose.
He did not care to remain with the
group in Bessie's absence. With a
bow, he turned to stroll by himself
down the veranda. But the minister
Jumped to his feet and called:
Mr.. Orme!"
Orme looked back please be so
good as to return" continued the min
lister.
With mere politeness. Orme halted.
and took a step back toward his chair.
An air Of startled expectancy was
manifest in the position taken by the
different members of the group. The
minister's voice had sounded sharp
and authoritative, and he now stepped
forward a pace or two, stopping at .
point where the light from one of the
clubhouse windows fell full on his
face. Clearly he was laboring under
great excitement.
You have something to say to met"
inquired Orme. He foresaw an effort
to detain him.
81 am compelled to ask the ladies
to leave us for few minutes" said
the minister, seriously. There is
| q matter of utmos' Importance"
He bowed. The women. hesitating
in their embarrassment. rose and
walked away, leaving the halfdozen
men standing In circle.
81 find myself in an awkward po-
sition." began the minister. slowly. II
am a guest OF your club. and l should
never dream of saying what ! mus
say, were my own personal affairs
alone involved. Let me urge that
no one leave until I have done"
For tense moment he was silent
Then he went on:
Gentlemen, while we were talking
together here. ! had In my pocket
certain papers of great importance
to my country. In the last few min
utes they have disappeared. regret
to say it-but. gentlemen. some one
bas taken them"
There was a gasp of astonishment
II mus even open myself to the
charge OF abusing your hospitality
.ather than let the matter pass. II I
could only make you understand how
grave 1t is"-he was brilliantly impress
sive. Just the right shade Of re-
luctance colored his earnestness.
II have every reason to think" he
continued. that the possession Of
those papers would be OF immense per.
sonal advantage to the man who has
been sitting at my risht-Mr. Orme."
This II serious charge. exesl-
lency." exclaimed one Of the men.