Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-08

chinks in the shutter The deacon would
have to do something with the money, Tom
realized. And then 1t would be Toms turn
to do what he could to get It back.
The deacon, finally sure that lobe had
given him enough knelt down by the side
OF the fireplace. and, taking out a loose
brick, stuffed the money into tho cavity and
replaced the brick carefully. Then he blew
out the lamp and went out Of the room,
closing the door after him. Tom could see
everything. for tho moon was unusually
bright
He wondered II the window by any
chance had been left open. and he began to
cautiously unfasten the shutters In a sec.
ond he had crawled into the room and was
stealing quietly over to the fireplace Just
a little more courage and If he wore yerv
careful nothing might ever be discovered.
lobe would be the only one to suspect him,
and lobe for his own good would never
dare to tell
With cautious fingers he felt for the brick.
round it and lifted 1t carefully out Then
MS fingers touched the crnkly bills under.
meath, and with n little sob of relief he
drew them out and began to count out what
was his He would take no more than was
MS, he reasoned If he had been thief in
the night and had stolen into n mans
mouse, house for money, 1t had boon money that
belonged to him alone. lobe had won Il
from him by cheating, and had paid It over
10 the deacon. Nevertheless, Tom reasoned
1t was his money.
HIS fingers shook go that he could hard.
l! hold the bills. and as he leaned for SUP.
port against the table, something fell with
ciatter to the floor Tom sprang to his
iect In an instant, but at the same tine tho
door opened and the deacon appeared He
heid revolver In his hand, but the light
mat he carried blinded him. and before he
couid fire Tom had pulled his cap over his
IA ot h,,ay
window. dropping his precious money as he
went.
1t took only second for the deacon to
cross the room to the open window and to
make out a dark figure running for the
woods
He fired once and Tom fell to the ground
Il sharp pain in his shoulder making him cry
out with agony But he managed to drag
himself to his feet The urge of protection
made him seek shelter and he staggered
along. sometimes running sometimes paus.
Ing for moment to rest He knew that II
would not take long for the deacon to over.
take him and he wondered vaguely what to
do. The pain in his arm prevented him
from thinking clearly
Tom was running faster now, and he came
to the little foot bridge that extended over
a small stream. Here was shelter for a
time anyway, and Tom clambered hastily
down the side and hid under the bridge
Here he could look into the dark waters OF
the stream. and the moonlight on the water
reflected his visagc in such distorted man.
ner that he shuddered and wondered IL his
crime had made him look like that already.
The deacon had followed Tom without
stopping to get help, and Tom heard his
footsteps now running on the boards over.
head. The deacon paused for a second.
probably TO get his breath. but Tom. certain
that he had been found, grew weak and al.
most toppled over. He could hear the deacon
proving around on the bridge. He even
stepped down the bank little. but hearing
nothing and not dreaming that Tom In his
wounded condition would climb underneath
finally ran off down the road.
Tom stayed where he was for moment
trying to think what TO do. II only there
were some one he could go to for help.
He thought OF Ruth. She would be shocked.
but she had never failed him yet. He might
try her anyway.
Slowly and painfully he dragged himself
up the bank and began to run again. this
time toward home. He was safe for the time
being, for the deacon had taken the wood
path and was now on his way through the
wood, hoping to find Tom there. The way
home had never seemed long. and when
he finally gained the porch he staggered
and could just manage to drag himsef to
the window
The family inside had gathered for even.
ing prayer. Mrs. Byrd sat over by the cen.
ter light and Dicky sat In low chair his
eyes fixed adoringly on Ruth. Toms father
reading evenly. his stern face illumine1
by the light. and Ruth herself sat In the
window, her back to the porch. Tom could
stretch out his hand and touch her, but he
wondered how he could do that without
frightening her and alarming the group in.
side
Then his gaze wandered to his fathers
face What was that that Judson was read.
ing?
1.-The wages Of sin is death"
The words fell crisply on the silent room,
and Tom stared violently and repeated
them softly to himself,
1.-THE wages Of sin is death" Yes, 1t was
so. There was no hope for him. Father
would never forgive me- he murmured
Then he looked longingly at Ruth. She had
always understood, che had been different
and softly, tendery he picked up one Of the
long blonde curls in his trembling hand and
touched 1t to his quivering. boyish lips
When Tom staggered off the porch, he
left a trail OF blood behind him. for his arm
was bleeding profusely now The loss OF
blood was rapidly making him drowsy He
wanted to sleep more than anything, X only
there we're some place to go.
Tom was walking along slowly keeping
In the shadow as much as possible and
suddenly In the forest ahead Of him friend
ly light cleaned forth. Hugh Lee. why
hadn't he thought of him before? Perhaps
Hugh Lee would hide him for the night, any
way, and with hope in his heart Tom made
his way toward the friendly light that
cleaned brighter the boy neared It,
Hugh had spent the evening In dreams OF
the past More than once he hod taken up
framed photograph OF his sister and had
liz md nnCh ty,4n he