The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-01-04

tnlS time. he glanced rom one 70
another OF the long row of travellers
in front Of him, slowly turned his gaze
to the doors where the passengers
were filing in from the ferries, and
then
"Dwyer!"
He choked back the cry that rose to
his lips and sank back in his seat
white and trembling. Far down at
the other end of the room was the
man he had robbed.
For moment canyons nerve de.
serted him completely. He felt that
he was lost. that Dryer would surely
search the room until he had discov-
cred him, and that escape was i'm
possible. Probably Dryer had not
come alone. At any rate, there were
always policemen near at hand in
such a place.
Dwyer came forward very leasurely.
For a man on the trail of a thief who
had relieved him Of a fortune, he
seemed to be singularly unperturbed.
He even stopped to laugh at a crow
ing baby on one Of the benches. Still,
it was Just like the old man never to
betray his true feelings.
Never before had Lanyon been
through such agonizing moments OF
suspense. He felt that the strain was
more than he could bear, that his
nerves would give way, and he would
cry out If he had to endure It much
longer.
At last Dwyer saw him.
I've been looking for you, Lanyon, .
he called, as he stepped up to the
bench.
The old man seated himself by Ian
yon's side, and, loung1ng back, chewed
thoughtfully at an unlighted cigar.
Apparently, he was dividing his at
tention between the cigar and the
clock on the wall, but Lanyon knew
that the tail of his eye was upon him
all the time. At last. he said slowly:
II know all about that prison rec
ord. Lanyon. Your friend Berrian has
Just given me the whole story"
"Berrian! He told you'll" cried Lam
yon, and in that moment the remnants
Of his faith in human nature van
ished.
Eyes, he told me-" Dwyer CONT
nued. "And. I've come here to let you
know won't hold it up against you.
You've done good, faithful work for
me for ten years. and / believe can
trust you.
you weren't much more than boy
when that happened. You've learned
a good deal since then. l guess"
Lanyon felt as If he were in a
dream-a dream that had brought one
fieeting glimpse of hope, and then had
plunged him in despair. A mist came
into his eyes.
At last his hand went into his peck
ct, and he pulled out roll Of bills.
'Mr. Dwyer," he said, this money
is yours Even though am a thief,
/ couldn't rob man that's treated
me as you have. But, you see, you
made a mistake about wanting me
back"
Without the least show Of surprise,
Dwyer took the bills and counted them
very slowly Then he put them care
fully away in his pocket.
II guess when a man goes wrong
more than once there isn't one person
in hundred who'd be willing to trust
him again." he said.
II don't believe there is" Lanyon
assented, leaning forward and cover
ing his face with his hands.
Unless it's somebody that's gone
wrong himself and knows what It is
to live it down." said Dwyer.
He laid hand on LANNON'S shout
der. Il was in Trujfllo myself thirty
years ago. But they got me at last.
did my turn behind the bars. And
If Berrian's father hadn't given me a
chance. I'd have been behind 'em
again before very long, like as not.
go up to Maine. my boy. That
old mother Of yours win want to see
you. And then come back"