The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1915-02-20

the man standing at the rear window
with the faint gieam Of dark lantern
ON the door beside him.
Yet even Lewis Thompson was
specifies when after bis trembling
nngers had turned on the rear light he
saw the map before him was none 9th
or than Aalcolm Dalzell. who stos'd
white and quiet facing his csptor.
I'll can't comprehend" Thompson
almost stammered. still covering the
marauder with his revolver YOU
Of all people,"
The man before him moistened bis
lips. Lewis" he said at last. will
you believe me II ! say. In spite Of this.
I'm not the robber-that It's just un.
fortunate circumstances that have
brought this about VIII your
Lewis Thompson recovered bis cool
ness and he laughed shortly. sarcas-
tically. glancing significantly ut the
dark lantern. the fallen Jimmy. the
goods piled at hand for removal.
II don't see any one but you. DIAL
seil," 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 kIep
tomaniar'
There was q little triumph edging
Into bis laugh as what this meant to
bis rival dawned upon him. And 1t
was likewise dawning upon his cap
tive. who shut his jaw when the mnr
shaI. hastily summoned. almost 70
fused to obey Thompson's command to
take the prisoner to the jail.
go ahead. Smith," was all that Nal
colin Dalzell would say. and be walked
TO the lookup with bis head In the air
The whole town shared the aensa.
tons Of Smith the next morning. and
the Rosemont Banner exhausted all it,
heavy black faced type that evening
and paused only for absence Of more
space It was paralyzing. horrifying.
this downfall of man like Malcolm
DalzeIl. 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 Dalzell's face and gave him pallor
that usually 1t takes age to bring. Yet
be maintained those close shut lips
and. further than stating he was not
guilty. refused to talk
When he faced his friends and
neighbos at the preliminary hearing
there was 4 trace Of proud defiance In
bis glance that yet was strangely hurt.
for on many faces he read dawuing
watering 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 to
harass. to ruin his opponent7 30 they
waited for the sensational disclosures.
The sensation came AZ usual with
sensations. 1t was quite different from
what wns expected This white faced
girl. with eyes Redeemed BY tears. who
suddenly presented hsrself struck pity
from the heart Of the hardest Shs
spoks rapidly. breathlsssly.
"Aalcolm did not do itr' she protest
ed. with light clssped banda eff be
won't tell will. now that know the
truth! It was Dick. my brother. and
Malcolm. who also was watching. saw
him and entered Thomps0n's store ~
save him. to get him away. to help
him. and when Lewis Thompson came
upon him-he. Malcolm. would not tell
because
Milly wainwright's voice died away.
but the end Of the sentence was fur
nished BY Malcolm Dalxell's quick step
to her side and hiding her tears on bis
shoulder Both had made their sacri.
dee for each other and out Of the bit.
terness had snatched happiness. And
Rosemont. with the 6ckleness Of the
human race. said 1t served Lewis
Thompson right and he should have
had more common sense.