Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-11-03

He looked at the old convict for
moment and then placed bis arm
about his shoulders as would sor
embracing q father after long year,
Of separation. Bill stood in the glar'
Of the light. scanning the face Of thu
younger man.
Boy" suid the old probationer. VI
come to you because I knew you need
ed me- That hound at headquarters
turned me loose so that he could fol-
low me and get you"
Nelson stnrted.
But don't worry" Hawkins assured
him. "for I'm an old fox and hard to
follow"
why did you come In by the win
down.
1T was the safest way" explained
Bill. although felt certain that no
one was shadowing me. could not be
dead sure. So thought I'd come In
as q burglar. and II there was any
shadow after me he'd think was back
h the old game. II l was caught
they'd get me for the old sin. The
shadow wouldn't know that John Mel.
son was Jim Montgomery"
Hawkins dropped into q chair, looked
about the room and began studying
the bars. weights and trapeZes.
Them things?' he asked, with the
wave Of hand.
Il work with them every day and
have changed my measurements" ex-
plained Nelson. II am taller and
broader. and my arms and legs are
longer"
Hawkins nodded.
II doubt If they'd recognize you." he
said.
"How did you find me?" asked Mel
son. II was afraid to put name In
the personal"
after / reached Greenville 1t didn't
take me long to hear about John Mel
son." he replied. II mingled with the
machinists as q labOrer, heard about
your inventions and success and about
your work with the poor people. When
I found out where your place was
travelled on foot. l got a bed and
lodging in cabin two miles away. As
soon rs everybody was asleep slipped
out of the cabin, and here l am"
They were both silent for moment
II know what you're thinking about
Kid" said Hawkins finally.
1.-THE guilty man." Nelson said slow
ly.
"You want me to try to get him."
"Yes. have plenty Of money now.
but did not dare hire detectives"
"They couldn't get him after ten
years."
"Can any one find him"
Bill felt the anxiety and eagerness,
the hunger for real hope, in Nelson's
voice.
III any one can get him I'm the one."
he replied slowly. I'm gonna get him
too. gotta get him. boy. owe you
something more than few years out
of STIR" His voice quavered with
emotion.
"You put God in my brain and
heart" he went ON. "You made soul
come to life In my old body" In his
sunken eyes there was a luster that
made bene6cent the deep lined face.
II found my old GIRL" be continued.
after a pause In which he mastered his
feelings. "You made me want to find
her and. thank God. found her good
and patient woman and glad to have
her man back. I'm some different. Kid.
I'm some different. and ! owe 1t to you
I'm going after that man who let you
be sent up for life. and I'm going to
get him and drag him to the office OF
the district attorney. If get there with
my head caved in."
Nelson took his wallet from his
pocket.
Here is plenty Of money, BILL" he
said. Take It and use 1t. II isn't
loan or q gift. What is mine Is yours.
Spend all that Is necessary. ! am
rich man. You were the means OF my
achieving wealth"
Guess I'll need some Of It," the pro-
bationer said. "I'll take It. anyhow.
and when all comes out right III ac-
count to you for it. Then my old wo'
man and l will come down here and
work for you"
Does son let his father work for
him?" asked Nelson. mo! Ill work
for you, Bill. many years, God willing"
A storm springing from Carib seas
had swept northward along the Flori-
da and Georgia shores. Down from
the north came the tail end Of big
blizzard; the two met of the Carolina
coast. In the wild rush Of tempera-
lures seeking normal levels. heat and
cold mingled In the South Carolina
mountains and deluge Of rain re-
suited.
Mighty Caesars Head. Kings noun
tain and Paris mountain were washed
clear of snow by the torrent. The
wind skirled in leahess boughs and
branches. howled through ravines and
gorges In mOuntainsides. and the food
made the Saluda pick up Its bed and
rush away even us did the man who
lay III and was made well by n mir
acle.
The mountain roads were torn and
ripped by the flood. They gave up the
frost in them and the red clay was
turned to a series Of twisted ribbons.
With the clntter Of dozen rnpid
fire guns came low swung nntomo-
bile with unusually heavy tires. high
mud guards and huge oil tank toward
the crest Of Paris mountain from the
west. A screen OF mud and water half
obscured the driver. Big goggles bid
his eyes.
On the top Of the mountain. standing
In a runabout type Of machine. girl
waited. She had torn a rncing mask
from her face, and It lay caked with
red clay on the drivers seat behind
her. Her abundant hair had fallen
from its fastenings. and the wind play
I'd with It as n great cat would play
sith loose hank Of golden yarn.
The onrushing motor made the crest
Of the mountain with a heavy lurch
Of q great beast in attack. came to a
,top and shivered. sending fecks OF