The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-28
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BFRANQSTYNDf
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
~ d1oxax1Z1IcxAMEJ 5Cann1et

overplenty and another mans need.
Have you ever known what 1t means
to go hungry for sheer poverty's
sake?-but, of course, you haven't"
NO." she admitted.
well, l have; l was hungry that
morning; very hungry. I know this
doesn't excuse the thing-to you. But
perhaps it may help to explain It"
II think l can understands little.
But surely"
He stopped her with a quick little
gesture.
Il know what you are going to say
that I should have been willing to
work. or even to beg. rather than
steal. l was willing to work; was
not willing to beg. l know 1t is all
wrong from your point Of view; but l
should be sorry to have you think
that did what l believed to be
wrong"
but think of it; il you are right,
everyone else must be wrong!"
mo; not quite everyone. But that
is a very large question, and we
needn't 60 into it. l confess that my
method was unconventional; q little
more summary than that Of the usu-
rers and the strictly legal robbers, but
quite as defensible. For they rob the
poor and the helpless, while I merely
dispossessed one rich corporation OF
portion OF it's exactions from the
many"
Then you are not sorry? saw
you yesterday afternoon and hoped
you were."
He laughed unpleasantly. Il was
sorry, then. and am now; for the
same reason. have lost the money"
Lost it," she gasped. "How?"
81 had hidden it, and suppose some
one else has found it. 1t is all right
SO far as the ownership is concerned;
but l am still self-centered enough to
be chagrined about it."
But you must have returned 1t In
! the end. You could never have been
/ content to keep It,"
do you think so?' he rejoined. Il
,, think l could have been quite content
! to keep 1t. But that Is past; 1t Is
! gone, and l couldn't return it II /
wanted to-"
No." she acquiesced; land that
makes it all the harder"
For you to do what you must do?
But you mustn't think Of that.
shouldn't have made restitution in any
| ~ tan Vlyhof I did
had a weapon, as you have read.
tied it up with the money in a hand.
kerchief. There was always the
chance of their catching me, and had
made up my mind that my last free
act would be to drop the bundle into
the river. So you see you need not
hesitate on that score"
Then you know what it is that
must do?"
"Assuredly. l knew 1t yesterday
when l saw that you had recognized
me. 1t was very merciful in you tt
reprieve me, even for few hours
but you will pardon me If l say Il
was wrong?"
"Wrong!" she burst out. "Is it gen
erous to say that to me? Are you SC
Indifferent yourself that you think ev
eryone else is Indifferent, too?"
He smiled under cover of the dark
ness.
II know you are not Indifferent; 20,
couldn't be- But you must be true t,
yourself, at whatever cost Will yo'
| ~ %c;, Rn1l
She hesitated.
81 thought of doing that, at first,
: she began, postpOning to more col
venient season the unnerving reflet
+ ton that she was actually discussin
Y the ways and means of it with hin
TT seemed to be the simplest thin
g to do. But then | saw what woul
: happen; that l should be Obliged"
3 Again he stopped her with a gel
3 ture.
Q 81 understand. We must guar
against that at all hazards. You mu.
:. not be dragged into it, you kno,
. even remotely"
a Il wrote a letter TOTO Mr.. Ga
y braith," she confessed
u And you have not sent it?'
o mo. If had, shouldn't ha,
" spoken to YOU"
p ITO be sure. suppose you signe
g the letter."
e Certainly"
t. That was mistake You mu
lie rewrite it. leaving out your name. al
IN send it. All you need to say Is tn
the man who robbed the Bayou Sta
II. Security is escaping on the Belle ]
e. lie; that he is disguised as dec
ie hand. and that his name on the stea
to er's books Is John Wesley Gavi
TX That will be amply sufficient"
be She was silent for a moment The
In why mustn't l sign It? They "
as pay no attention to an anonymous Il
70 ter. And. besides. 1t seems So
So cowardly."
p. "They will telegraph to every riy
n. landing ahead of US within an he
after your letter reaches New
10 leans; you needn't doubt that. A
the suppression of your name is
cowardly; it is merely justifiable
~ Of self-protection. 1t is your duty
~ give the alarm; but when you hs
done that, your responsibility ceas
Ut There are plenty Of people who {
ue identify me IL l am taken back
eN New Orleans. You don't want to
III summoned as witness. and J
" needn't be-"
She saw the direct. manlike wisd