The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1917-01-19

| you went away last time you said
you'd come back. And you didn't come
back. / way waiting for you all the
rest OF my Imprisonment. and when
| came out | meant to find you and AK
YOU To come away with me somewhere
where we could begin our lives
| again"
Molly laughed sccrafr;iy. "You
thought / wanted n jailbird. I sup
pose she tainted him. what have
you to- say now why l shouldn't tele-
phone for the poice?"
II guess there's nothing" answered
Tom hopelessly. II was my last try,
rust To get some money"
That's what you told the Judge mt
your trial."
Molly" said Tom. III you'll let me
go I'm through with II. II was for
your sake"
For my sake? How dare you! Did
| ever know the nature of your life?
| Did / dream-i"
II know you didn't, Molly. But
wanted To get little money for you.
I've been hunting for you-God knows
how hard I've tried TO find you. And
| never dreamed you'd be living here,
| the wife of rich man. let me go,
Molly for the Lords sake. Ii isn't the
punishment l care about, it's the
thought of having seen you, and seeing
you again In the court, and going
through all that I've gone through once
more"
| Il know that talk" said Molly bit
terly. How much have you taken?"
Nothing, | swear. | just got into
the house"
| Il suppose I'll have to let you 90,
then" said the girl. musing. God
knows l don't want TO have to 20 into
the court again either. You can go,
| Tom"
God bless you. Molly!" answered
Tom eagerly. I'll live straight now,
l swear"
He turned and made his way toward
the door, switched off the light and
was feeling his way along the corridor
when he heard the footsteps of the old
man on the stairs above him.
A light was switched on somewhere
on the first floor Tom Linton hid
| himself behind the window curtains
| OF the hall through which he had
| come. AS he waited there breath
less, he saw the old man descend the
stairs.
II thought l saw u light on below"
he heard him mutter to himself, as
old men sometimes do. And he
passed into the library. Tom was
about to dash for the window when.
TO his amazenent he saw Molly
| emerge from the door nearest the hall
entrance, while ut the same time the
old man came out of the other. The
two met almost face To face.
what Is 1t? Who are you?" de-
manded the oil man testify. 1t was
evident that he did not know her and
had no idea how she had happened
into the house.
Il made n mistake" Molly faltered.
II was told 10 come here-a
friend"
The old man broke into chuckling
laughter. Clearly he put the worst
construction upon the girls presence;
and yet not the natural one.
Il guess I'll do us well as your
friend. won't l. my aear?" he asked.
lecring at her.
"lIow dare your cried Molly, fam
Ing up
We'll how dare you come into my
houseT retorted the old man. And,
stepping toward her. he chucked her
under the chin.
Suddenly. as Molly screamed Tom
bounded forward. He caught the old
Fellow by the throat and shook him
like II rnt. you houndi" he shouted.
"Lem'nc go!" whImpercd the other.
"lIow dare YOU insult II lady who
comes luto your house by mistaken"
"Lcmmc 20. II was II mistake all
round" muttcred the old man. lie
Wrlgglcl out of Toms hands. II apol.
ogisc,' he mumbled. II didn't mean
any hnrm. thought"
Come" said Tom, giving Molly hls
arm. And together they left the
houso-thls time both by the front
door. They passed the policeman on
his beat, but he hardly looked at them.
~ u convenient corner they stopped.
what does IL mean, MollyY" asked
Tom.
II went there 10 steal" whispered
the girl.
You were never there before7"
She shook her head. "Oh. Tom. YOU
may rs we'll know the worst now.
have become u thief. After the trial
was markell couldn't earn an
honest living. Everyone bounded me.
Then l tried your way. And that was
why | dldn't let you know where |
was. l knew you were looking for me.
Tom. and | wanted some money. 10
meet you. 10 take you West with me,
aud | didn't want YOU 10 dream"
That you had become what l am"
answered Tom grlmly. "Molly." he
continued, ''the past is gone now. For
tune has brought us together So let's
go West and play the straight game,
latt