Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1911-01-26

gar iOOheu dL ueT CuFlOusly.
Il promise" he said still staring at
her You have some beautiful jew
els" he continued, pointing to the pile
on the table. and this one especially"
He held up the giant ruby which he
had concealed In his hand.
Mrs. Sauderson put down her pistol
What makes you do this kind Of
work. she asked. paying no attention
to what be was saying.
Gentleman Jim suddenly leaned for
ward. staring intently ut the ring. His
deep voice became strangely soft.
Little girl" he said. you don't un-
derstaud.
But can't you tell me-cant you e1-
plain| pleaded the young woman. fol
lowing the methods she had used in
the courts.
The burglar sat with his head in his
hands for long time. then suddenly
sat up straight and held out the ruby
ring.
Only one other place on this broad
earth have seen a ring that can be
compared with that" he said slowly.
And where was that?" asked Mrs.
Sandersou,
ut was hers" said Gentleman Jim
shortly
"And won't you tell me about her."
she asked trying to make him unbur-
den himself
The burglar lighted another cigarette.
Three years ago" he began, Il be-
longed to the best society in San Fran
cisco fell in love with one Of the
bellies Of the town. and when we were
engaged | hunted all over the world for
a ring beautiful enough to express my
feelings toward her. At last | found
it-one nearly like this" He paused
and stared moodily at the lamp.
"Then." he went on. "one day ] re-
ceived note from her sending back
the ring and breaking the engagement.
She said she had found that she did
not love me. and within month she
was married to one of my best friends.
| was heartbroken and crushed, for |
loved her with all my soul. | dropped
from society aud went to Africa. There
| fought in the British ranks. and al
though my comrades fell around me,
! passed through every battle UNI
touched
Poor boy murmured Mrs Sander
son softly
when the var was over" lie con-
tinued. Il carle back and began this.
| had TO have excitement or | would
have gone crazy. And now l couldn't
stop if / wanted to. The police are
always on my trail" He stopped and
looked sorrowfully at his auditor
There. he said; you have my
story.
I Man" she cried Don't you under
stand that you're like a piece of drift
wood floating about near shore? When
the tide comes in you have your
chance TO gain foothold; if you wait
until the tide goes out you may never
have another"
Little woman" he said solemnly, II
have tried to gain foothold
Mrs Sanderson. ignoring his familiar
manner of speech. quietly arose and
walked to the grand piano. In few
+ seconds the solemn tones Of Home,
Sweet Home" rang through the great
house. When she had finished she
/ turned around.
Cad he exclaimed THAT was
superb-beautiful That music did me
more good than anything have seen
or heard or felt for years"
! Look" said his captor You said
you were thrown back when you tried
to change But do you know why? 1t
was your own fault You've gone
along in the world with the same feel
/ ing with which you enter this house
! to get what you can and if you are
( detected to shoot If you meet the
world with kindness in your heart and
a smile on your face the world will
smile back at YOU But if you go
on with the intention Of ighting-of
robbing-it will fight like a wounded
| tiger and give you as good as it re-
ceives. And it will rob you OF the
| best in you-your manhood SO why
don't you take a new start and forget
yourself in doing good to others?
She stopped and looked vat the bur
glar. He picked up book and turned
the leaves in familiar fashion. Sud
denly he smiled and marked a quo
tation with a pencil.
u never thought of doing that" he
suddenly cried 'hur TN try it," He
stood up straight ans an arrow.
I'm try IT," he repeated slowly.
VIII yon let me shake YOUR hand. and
may l go them"
Mrs. Sandcrson. her heart aglow,
went with him to the door.
Don't forget your resolution" she
cried out cheeriIy.
y won't" he called back and disap-
peared into Che dark night. And some.
how she knew that he would keep his
promise
Mrs. sanderson sat in the chair late.
~ occupied by the reformed burglar
when she saw the book which ne had
marked. She carelessly picked if M
and turned 70 the bookmark There
her eyes were attracted by cross.
a..