New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-25

knowing when he did it that he was breaking
himself breaking himself and the town
in your defense
Burmah lifted trembling hands before
him as if TO shield himself from the lash OF
Testers words, and staggered back slowly
step bv step, his feet dragging Ovcrthe carpet,
and fell with a crash out beyond the edge oi
the rug on the hard, polished floor FOR an
instant me paused, then reeled back against
the wall as if for support. His legs appeared
10 tremble beneath him, and he threw "a hand
up and chung 70 the plate rail 20 support HIM
self. gaspcd. reached mp, and caught hi7
collar with the other hand, and with
mighty wrench tore 1t open, cravat ana aii'
from his throat. The purple died from hl,
face. 10 be succeeded by a ghastly paIlor. ana
ne suddenly lungcd forward, with pom
hands trembling and shaking IN front oi nm
as if appealing TO Lester for some WORD OIL
@Lcster-Lester-7 he stammercd in
harsh dry whisper you sure; 10"
do YOU know? Don't pile it on, The Colo
ncl-the Colonel was whipped through me;
Tell me it isn't true, Bow Tell me you re
only bluffin' me-that I'm not the one 10
blame"
lie too came to the edge Of the table and
bent forward TO study his companion lace
for what seemed long, long time. And then,
as if he had read the truth, he tel weakly
back into chair. Lester piticd him then
and after one instant's hesitation rushed 10
his side and bent over him. He caught the
Glass from the table and held It toward him:
but Burmah brushed it away He regretted
that he had told Burmah what he had
learned; for he had not realized that TINS
strange. immObile ADVENTURE was man
living behind mask that back Of his as
sumcd GOODNESS was a tempcstuous heart "
flame. that. crook that he had been, he had
poured out idolatry al the shrine Of the
Colonel and those he loved
SLOWLY Burmah recovered and sat with
~ brooding eyes, as Lester, giving him
time walked backward and forward IN the
room Then he paused in front Of him and
put a hand on his shoulder
"Listen," he said. Il think | know way
by which it can be done. think | know an
influence that may yet bring that road
here to Port Hatch. You SAID you'd buy
the land and buildings back If YOU thought
that was so, and put them in their names.
How much money have YOU goH
Burmah was active again, the Old fire IN
his eyes. the old grip Of himself returning
He lifted his head and quite steadily an
swered Almost three hundred thousand
dollars. all in cash. all available. lie got
10 his feet. seemed 20 steady himself, and
without q single note Of excitement IN his
voice said. you show me where there's q
chance and III put in every dollar Of Il.
u can show YOU the chance, asserted
Lester overawcd by the mans nerve. 81
can convince YOU there Is.
Then, said Burmah, the calculating
business man again, well have 20 move
fast. You don't trust me; but do YOU
can't do it alone, because it would take too
much time and attract attention; 50 you've
got 10 take one hundred thousand Of that
money and 60 out and buy. Buy in the
name Of the Colonel Buy everything that
can be had. We must buy the town back.
Buy it back for them. | want to DO some
thing for Todd and for the old widow who
runs the store-and for the boys. Leave
that 20 me.
He stepped vigorously before Lester. and
spoke in his old, impcrious voice.
"Now it up to you. Up 20 YOU, ! say, to
show me how YOU think il can be done.
CHAPTER XXI.
TT was the candid opinion of Little Billy
L that everyone in Port Hatch had gone
mad. and in a grumbling, rumbling voice
L., l,.,,-o--oI ,;c conclusions Pol Who