Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1916-12-06

as he slowed away the roll of bills. ~
big satisfaction, too. Say. ] want &c
thank you for putting me In the wa,
of paying OF an old scorc'
"What do you meani" demanded
Walton.
"Why. luck would have II that one
Ned Severn, an old acquaintance oi
mine, was on trial for embczzlement
Say, the evidence hadn't been hall
given before every mothers soul of H.
on the jury knew II was frameup Of
n jealous fellow clerk. put him
through. though. You know I'm II
clever talker. Well. eleven Of the jury
were for acquitting him. tired them
out holding for conviction and l cur.
ried the day"
"And the man was innocent !" cried
Walton.
"Sure thing. hut you see he Is the
| fellow who cut me out with the only
girl | cared Ior and married her.
got him five years" and the ignoble
| wretch gloated over his malicious vic
tory.
Arthur Walton arose In n cold per
spiration. lie was white to the lips
In horror he realized how capable he
had been in trusting To II merccnary.
hcartless human wreck the sacred
| functions of the law.
"You miserable wretch :" he uttered
hoarsely. "St down at that desk and
write out every circumstance Of what
YOU have told me. or | will go to the
bar of justice. confess my share In this
hideous crime and make you share the
penalty. Write"
Tho. 1ughly cowed, Moreand did ms
ordered. Then Walton thrust him
from the place. lie took All hour OF
two To arrange his business affairs
Then he proceeded 20 the court where
the trial of Ned Severn had taken
place. He entered the office OF the
judge.
| 81 have come to right n wrong"
spoke Walton. 81 ask no leniency for
what | have done. but. AT any cost.
justice must be surrendered" and he
presented the confession Of Moreland
and told the story. Next day Arthur
Walton was sentenced to Gne year In
the house Of correction and Ned Sew.
crn within the week had retrial and
was set at liberty.
The young man and his sister came
To see Walton in the wardcn's Office
a few days later. Even amid this his
humiliation. the gentle coincidence Of
Edith Severn was II balm 10 broken
spirit, but one experiencing II certain
joy in the vast sacrifice he had made
And out of II came n proposition
from Walton to have Severn manage
his business during his sentence. lie
could consult daily with Walton, foi
the house of correction was located
not two miles from the Office.
Then at the end of six months Edit
Severn brought To Walton n great sur
prise. She bore him his pardon, and
in her face and words he could reat
more OF Il sentiment of admiration foi
his noble atonement, than condemna
tion for the innocent part he hat
played in the unjust conviction of hel
brother.
A second surprise greeted Waltor
nj his office. So well had Severn con
Quoted the business entrusted to him
that he had not only covered previous
money losses but had placed II large
surplus against the Investment nc
count.
There came q day when Waltol
called Severn his partner and fai
Edith the guiding, cheering friend y
his life.
"lf | am only worthy of YOU" Ar
thur Walton prefaced his ardent con
1 fessioh Of love, and Edith returned
: his glance with one of perfect conf
dence as she made reply:
! you are the noblest man l eve
? knew!"