Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-06-22


to give you. We saw her at the depot,
where we went to reserve sleepers for
tonight ROSE LANE.
What is it," asked Avery, drawing
near. Something from Doyle, I'll
bet"
Eyes, what is it?" questioned Red.
1T is the return of hope" answered
Valentine. his emotion causing his
voice to shake.
you've weakened AGAIN." sneered
Red.
"No; I'm strong again"
You mean that's from the girl?"
"She is coming back. Red. and
that can make me go wrong. You
said minute ago that if you thought
| had chance you'd stick"
Il said it,"
Then l hold you to that"
Good Godv' exclaimed Avery.
Red?'
Pm going with Jimmy. If I'd do
a bit for him | got to go if he asks
it,
what am | goin' to do?" asked Az
cry plaintively.
Valentine drew close to him.
''Ive got you a job, Bill, good
one" he announced.
''Me a job! Where?
Valentine read from a note Mrs.
Moore had left with him.
Listen" he said ''This will in
troduce the man you promised the po-
sition as Waterman Of one of your
grain elevators. The wages at $3.50
a day are satisfactory to him."
Intense disgust spread over Bill Az
ery's face.
'Two-fifty a day." he sneered. "a
man can't live on that
Valentine laughed.
"It costs 81 cents a day to keep
man in Sing Sing" he reminded the
thief.
II don't want job" snarled Az
cry "Only the suckers work for
living"
"Yes, you do want one," returned
Valentine, land this is just your kind,
Avery. Ard let me tell you something
that. you think l don't know. You're
tired of being a crook-tired to death.
l knew that when we were inside.
But you are afraid Of what lot of
old pals will say. Well. let them say.
What they got? Did you ever see
a crook with anything? What do they
amount to-? They haven't the stand
ing Of a house dog. You're tired of
it, Bill, and ashamed of the years
you've lost. and l know it. Now
here's your chance. your day of sal
walton. There's the letter and here's
the coin to get there" He handed
Avery some bills. Its way out west
where no one knows you, and you've
got a chance Just think, back to
mother and then ahead to-
The hardened look began to fade
from the thief's face.
Give it to me-" He clutched the
money in his hand. ''I'll try, by God,
I'll try" Tears trickled down Av-
erys prison paled cheeks.
That's the talk-that's the heart"
spoke Valentine alphabetically.
And if fail III end it." said Az
cry.
You won't fail. It's only the suck
ers that fail. Make the next train
beat Doyle. Get away"
Avery turned toward one of the en-
frances.
"Goodby, Jimmy. Goodby. Red" he
cried, and he was gone.
Il tell you. Red" said Valentine.
looking after him, there isn't a crook
he could"
God" exclaimed Red feelingly.
"but you know what's inside of
man."
81 know what's inside Of me, and l
dare face it,
Jimmy Valentine crossed to a win
dow and peered out into the street.
No one in sight that he knew. yet he
had lost all doubt that Rose Lane
would return. Her message had calm
ed his fears, and. more than that. it
had come in time to save him from
thrusting aside the one chance in the
world to redeem his lost years
Another thought rose strong within
him as he returned to the sofa. seated
himself and saw Red standing discon-
solately near the table Something
had TO be done for Red-that was GER
tain. Red Flanagan was young-bare-
~ twenty five-and he had many char
Valentine was convinced that his
friend would remain loyal to him If
he could take him with him and that
he would become man Of honor and