The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-12-09

in his hand covered the dark form of
the man standing at the rear window
with the faint CLEAN of Il dark lantern
OIL the floor beside him.
Yet even Lewis Thompson was
specchless when after his trembling
fingers had turned on the rear light he
saw the man before him was none 9th
er than Malcolm Dalzell, who stood
white and quiet facing his captor.
I'll can't comprehend" Thompson
almost stammered, still covering the
marnuder with his revolver. you
of all people"
The man before him moistened his
lips. Lewis" he said at last, will
You believe me if say, in spite of this,
I'm not the robber-that it's just un-
fortunate circumstances that have
brought this about? win your
Lewis Thompson recovered his cool
ness and he laughed shortly, sarcas-
tieally. CHANGING significantly at the
dark lantern, the fallen jimmy, the
goods piled at hand for removal.
II don't see any one but you, Dali
zeIl," he said CURLY. you've got to
take your medicine. You can plead
kleptOmania. you know. Rising young
business man, easy circumstances. no
need to rob-why, of course, it's KEEP
tomani6."
There was little triumph edgihS
into his laugh as what this meant To
his rival dawned upon him. And it
was likewise dawning upon his cap
five, who shut his jaw when the mar
Shall, hastily summoned. almost re
fused 10 obey 'rhompson's command TO
take the prisoner to the jail
''Go ahead, Smith," was all that Nal
colin Dalzell would say, and he walked
to the lookup with his head in the air
The whole town shared the sensa-
lions of Smith the next morning, and
the Rosemont Banner exhausted all its
heavy black faced type that evening
and paused only for absence of more
space II was paralyZing. horrifyng.
this downfall of man like Malcolm
Dalzell. one of those queer groupings
out Of hidden tendencies that some
times destroy the worlds best
The three days that interviewed be
fore his preliminary hearing drew lines
in Dalzel's face and gave him i pallor
that usually it takes age to bring. Yet
he maintained those close shut lins
and, further than stating he was not
guilty, refused 10 talk.
When he faced his friends and
neighbors at the preliminary hearing
there was a trace Of proud defiance in
his glance that yet was strangely hurt,
for on many faces he read dawnng
wavering In allegiance TO him.
Much talk had bred suspicion, and
every one knew of the long rivalry be-
tween the two men. What more natu-
raj than that Dalzell should attempt 10
harass, to ruin his opponent: So they
waited for the sensational disclosures.
The sensation came. AS usual with
sensations, it was quite different from
what was expected. This white faced
girl, with eyes Redeemed by tears, who
suddenly presented herself struck pity
from the heart of the hardest. She
spoke rapidly. breathleSsly.
"Malcolm did not do it, she protest
ed, with tight clasped hands. III he
won't tell | will. now that know the
truth. 1t was Dick. my brother ana
Malcolm. who also was watching saw
him and entered Thompson's store 10
save him, to get him away. to help
him. and when Lewis Thompson came
upon him--he, Malcolm, would not tell
because
Milly Wainwrights voice died away,
but the end of the sentence was fur
nished by Malcolm Dalzell's quick step
10 her side and hiding her tears on his
shoulder Both had made their sacri-
fee for each other and out of the bit
terness had snatched happiness. And
Roscmont. with the ickleness Of the
human race. said it served Lewis
Thompson right and he should have
had moro common sense.