New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR DECEMBER l. 1912
THE CASE OF JOHN SMITH
Continued from page II

caption. As I said, am on my way now
to see Coye & Son."
John Smiths face became perfectly gray.
"And | am going" said Chester Kent,
looking the other in the eyes, "aS your trend.
There is always some way in which to clear
an innocent man"
at isn't a question of my innocence
burst from the younger man. Its bigger
thing than that Then suddenly, with
strange gesture. he asked, what do you
want me to do!"
$50 to your home and wait
"Al right. But-but you'll be gentle
with him. He thinks lot Of me- And, he
added with sudden fury, IF any harm comes
to him, III kill you with my own hands"
$50 to bed, said Kent briefly, "and try
to get some rest. sha'n't see you when we
get off in the morning."
TWELVE hours later Chester Kent sat
L kicking his heels and waiting in the pri-
vate Office of Patrick Coyle. 1t was tiny
box in the midst Of turbulence Of over
work. Presently Patrick Coyle entered,
taking off his coat as he came in. He was
rosy little pppin Of an Irishman, with deep,
f,irrowed forehead and white hairs He
turned upon the visitor look OF haggard
expectancy.
$40 you know John Smith," asked Kent
abruptly.
The little Irishmans coat dropped to the
floor. He stretched out two shaking hands,
and his eyes we're piteous. "Nle bhoy!" he
said in the softest OF brogucs.
"But how so? thought you were MIR.
Coyle?"
"Ycs," he said, "me adopted bhoy. But
me son, just as much
"Then his name is Smith?' Kent asked,
logically glad that the young man had kept
faith with him even in the minor matter OF
the name exchange.
$50 far as | know You'll remember the
wreck of the Vanessa, off Duluth, twenty
years gone? | swum ashore wit him afther
a wave brought i'm to me. His kin was
drowndcd. An kept him an brought HIM
up by hear-r-rt, my Johnny Upon which
phrase he broke, and threw his arm across
his eyes. =,
But Man." Kent cried. "the boys alive!"
"Alive, Yes; but what's came to mn"
he groaned. II have the turrlble letter
from i'm. What's came TO i'm at all.
The agony in the old mans voice cleared
10 one point Here, without shadow OF queS.
ton was the love, requited by the "bhoy'
with that love, greater than which hath no
man." II was for him that the sacrifice had
been made, and well made.
"Safe," said Kent. Il left him not long
ago :,
"You know my Johnny" asked the old
man.
"Only chance acquaintance. But be-
licve may call myself his friend; possibly
a friend in need
The old man caught Kent's hand between
his own. "BlesS you for that, he cried:
AN be what name can tell God about YOU.
Kent was uncomfortably conscious OF
flushing. "My name is Chester Kent, he
said. "I'vc done nothing so far: but hope
to. There has been an accident
"Is-is he hurted?" fatered Patrick Coyle.
"Not in the least Sound and well; but in
trouble. II you would trust me so far as to
show me his letter, we can perhaps clear this
matter up between us.
THE old freshman brought out the letter.
Il was a confused scraw, telling moth
ing Of the event in detail; but instinct with
tragedy. What Kent liked least about 1t
was a paragraph stating that the deal was
of and that the money must be raised IN
some other way as the writer must go and
not return for long time. TRY to trust