Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-03-03

| with every ounce or effort ue couiu
control.
lndecisiOu had begun TO show in Val
entiues face. and now his surrender
was complete.
You got to me. Red" he announced.
then added eagerly: where is this
layout you got? Can we get to it to-
aight?"
Sure! 1t amt two hours from
here"
IT'S a cinch." commented Avery de-
hghtedly.
Jimmy Valentine had surrendered
indeed. His two one-time accomplices
had cunningly played on his weakness
for the thrills OF the crooked game"
The thrills Of 1t 10 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 go. reasoned Valen.
tine. Never again would be commit
the folly OF placing faith in straight
girl!
Wait" be cried. My hands are
pretty tough. | couldn't feel the tick
of grandfather's clock the way they
are now. but | can beat that | can
sandpaper them down till | can feel
the pulse i'll dead mans wrist
Where's the
I'VE got him." whispered Bill Avery
exultantly 10 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
han Il bellboy entered the parlor. pag-
ing the name Of Mr. Valentine"
Iimmy stepped forward hastily. seized
an envelope bearing his name which
the boy carried aud eXcitedly tore il
Omen He found brief note written
in feminine prnmanship. He read
these words. and the color Surged to
his cheeks:
Please don't leave till return. | in
close you note Mrs. Webster asked me
| TO give you. We saw her at the depot
|
tonight. ROSE LANE
What Is it," asked Avery. drawing
near. Something from Doyle. I'll
| bet"
YES. what is it," questioned Red.
at Is the return of hope" answered
| Valentine. his emotion causing his
voice TO s...tke.
you've weakened again" sneered
Red
mo: I'm strong again"
you mean that's from the girl?'
she is comm" back. Red. and
there's nothing OH this earth or IN NJ
that can make mt 20 wrong. You
said a minute ago that IL you thought
| had Il chance you'd stick"
81 said it,
Then hold you TO that"
Good God!' exclaimed Avery.
You're not goin' to turn square. too.
RedT"
I'm going with Jimmy. If I'd do
bit for him l got to go If he asks
it."
what am goin' to dor asked Az
cry plaintively.
Valentine drew close to him.
1--WE got you job, Bill, gooo
one" he announced.
ME job! Where?
Valentine read from a note Mrs.
Moore had left with him.
"Tdsten." 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
day are satisfactory to him."
Intense disgust spread over Bill Az
ery's face.
''Two-tfty a day." he, sneered. "a
man can't live on that"
Valentine laughed.
at costs 81 cents q day to keep
man in Sing Sing" he reminded the
thief.
~ don't want job" snarled Az
cry. Only the suckers work for
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
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 q chance. Just think, back to a
mother and then ahead to-
The hardened look began to fade
from the thief's face.
"Giye it to me-" He clutched the
money in his hand. "I'll try, by God.
III try" Tears trickled down Az
ery's prison paled cheeks.
That's the talk-that's the heart"
spoke Valentine sympathetically.
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
cried, and he was gone.