New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-02-15

had cunninsly played on his weakness
for the thrills of the crooked game"
| The thrills Of 1t to him were more
| precious than the rewards. They were
his rewards. Besides, the girl had
not returned. She had paid the debt
she owed to her rescuer, and that was
all. Well. let her 60, reasoned valen-
tine. Never again would he commit
the folly Of placing faith in straight
girl!
"Wait" he cried. MY hands are
pretty tough. couldn't feel the tick
Of grandfather's clock the way they
are now, but I can beat that. can
sandpaper them down till can feel
the pulse in dead mans wrist.
Where's the
I'VE got him." whispered Bill Avery
exultantly to Red. I'VE got him, an
he'll stick"
Hardly had Jimmy Valentine made
his declaration to again join interests
with Red Flanagan and Bill Avery
than q bellboy entered the parlor, pag-
ing the name Of mfr. Valentine"
Jimmy stepped forward hastily, seized
an envelope bearing his name which
the boy carried and excitedly tore it
open. He found brief note written
in feminine penmanship. He read
these words, and the color surged to
his cheeks:
Please don't leave till l return. I in
close YOU a note Mrs. Webster asked me
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.
mo; I'm strong again."
"You mean that's from the girl?"
"She is coming back. Red, and
there's nothing on this earth or in HI
that can make me so wrong. You
said minute ago that If you thought
I had a chance you'd stick"
81 said it."
"Then ! hold you to that"
"Good God! exclaimed Avery.
"You're not goin' to turn square, too.
Red?'
"Tm 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.
"Tve got you job, Bill, good
one" he announced.
.Me job! Where?'
Valentine read from 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 day." he sneered. "A
man can't live on that" :,
Z Valentine 1afgfed. r., -
1T costs 31scents day to keep a
man in Sing Sing" he reminded the
thief.
II don't want job" snarled Az
cry. "Only the suckers work tor
living" - i
Eyes. you do want one," returned
Valentine. ''and this is just your kind.
Avery. And let me tell you something
that you think don't know. You're
tired Of being cr"Ok-tired to death. !
I knew that when we were inside !
But YOU, are afraid, Of what a lot Of
old pals will say. Well. let them say.
What they got? Did you ever see
q crook with anything: What do they
amount to? They haven't the stand:
ing of house dog. You're tired OF
1t, Bill. and ashamed OF the years
you've lost, and 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 a
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 Az
ery's prison paled cheeks. |
"That's the talk-that's the heart
spoke Valentine sympathetically.
7"And if fail I'll 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
orio.1 and no was gone.