The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-03-03


with Red Flanagan and Bill Avery
than a bellboy entered the parlor, pag-
ing the name Of "Mr. Valentine"
Jimmy stepped forward hastily. seized
an envelope bearing his name which
the boy carried and excitedly tore 1t
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. l in
close you q 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"
YES 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
there's nothing on this earth or in h-l
that can make me go wrong. You
said a minute ago that if you thought
/ had a chance you'd stick"
II said it."
"Then hold you to that"
Good Godw exclaimed Avery.
you're not goin' to turn square. too.
RedT
I'm going with Jimmy. If I'd do
a bit for him ! got to go II he asks
It,"
what am I goin' to dol" asked Az
cry plaintively.
Valentine drew close to him.
"I've got you job, Bill, good
one" he announced.
''A1e a Job! WhereT'
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 81 so
a day are satisfactory to him."
Intense disgust spread over Bill Av-
ery's face.
'Two-fifty day." he sneered. "A
man can't live on that"
Valentine laughed,
1T costs 81 cents q day to keep
man in Sing Sing" he reminded the
thief.
81 don't want a job" snarled Av.
RN
living"
Eyes, you do want one," returned
Valentine, land this is just your kind.
Avery. And let me tell you something
that you think ! don't know. You're
tired Of being a crook-tired to death.
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 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 chance. Just think. back to
mother and then ahead to-
The hardened look began to fade
from the thief's face,
"Give 1t to me-" He clutched the
money in his hand. "Tll 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.
And if I 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
cried, and he was gone.
Il tell you, Red" said Valentine.
looking after him, there isn't crook
Won know who wouldn't go straight II
he could"
GOD, eXCIalIUeU teu icSuASV,
"but you know what's inside Of
man."
81 know what's inside Of me. and
dare face It,"
Jimmy Valentine crossed to 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, 1t
had come in time to save him from
thrusting aside the one chance in the
world to redeem bis 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.ive-and he had many char.
acteristics that were not at all bad.
valentine was convinced that his
friend would remain loyal to him II
he could take him with him and that
ne would become a man Of honor and
tnfAovff1s ~