The Press., 1920-04-01

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 men about the place.
 "You seem fond of him."
 "I cOulrlnt git along without Tom Pm all doubled up with rheumatic you see an since the war good hel1 can't be had for love or money But Tom looks artpr everything keeps the place tidy and shlpShHpe He cal, outdo me when it comes tn rnisin crops for all he's q new hand at sir| work
 'IIumph!" said Colonel Burton. And hen after q moment, he asked: "IIoN was it when he first came to yout Did he have plenty Of money?"
 "WclI-er~-hnrdly answered Farm CT Grimes. Guess he'd had Enrd l'Ir', O some SCrt Anyhow he WIS strapped. Hur what O that? 'vantr. hotp an h" Wantp, n ~tiIdy job W; both lUi what we were Arlpr.'
 "Tirr"~ buying uiri ~r,n.2 in run ming d farm Who looks after that handles The caSlI?"
 "Why, Tom of course When 1t comes to business, never seen his beat. Hes real ~nvin' too. We're gittin along SwiutminIy Put some thin by every month. Hes as inter eStCd as 1 be in gttin' the mort rt@aIe paid off"
 The colonel swung about and froWnin@ly walked the room for sev- eraI minutes. He was debating a
 
 morning." he decided finally. There was no reH>Cn why he Si;0uId @i'are Tom. but he could not bear the thought of hurting poor, trusting Bet ty. No matter what came of delay he would do nothing nasty or ill-ad vsed
 Supper over, he StrOlied to the barn. What he had counted upon happened Tom followed him out. The latter began abl uptly.
 "Of course yoG'll have me arrested sir?"
 "YeS, unless you show clean pair of heels between now and morning, snapped the harassed elder man.
 Tom stared, amazed at the sugges- tion the words conveyed. Flight! He had not counted on being shown any mercy. But he shook his head.
 No, I shall stay and face the worst"
 The bigger fool you! It's clear ase, You must know that flight is your only chance.'
 ''No matter Some day everything will come right"
 The colonel looked at him sharply. What did he mean? ''See here" he said glufl1y. "You're in love with that girl What were you going to do if l hadn't turned up so inopportunely? Marry her?'
 'Not with stain upon my name"
 She cares for you. If I hold my tongue she will "ever know! You ought to think of her happiness-and of yOur own"
 Tom turned resolutely, but his face was white
 "Bettys name must not brought into this" he said, "I made up my mind .J go when I saw how it was between her and me. I was only waiting until the crops were harvested, or Daddy
  l place. If did not know how useless if would be. I'd ask you to spare me until then" The young mans eyes were WiStful. Colonel Burton struck his fist into one palm with sudden passion. It angered him beyond all reason that Tom should take this course with him. Don't count on concessions from me-" he groWed. "You'l get none"
 every well. sir" And yet Colonel Burton did some hard thinking that night when he should have been asleep. He had al- ways liked Tom. For a year and half the follow had made good He had not even hidden his identity un- der another name. It was hard to think ill of him. And yet an innocent man would have turned every stone to prove his innocence, instead of talk ing to his heels.
 Suddenly, alone in the darkness. he spoke aloud.
 "I did the boy some favors. He seemed to regard me as an elder brother. It is very strange--incompre- hensible-that-"
 The words died in gasp of pain as a sudden thought struck him like a stunning blow.
 Next morning he went down to breakfast with rather tragic face
 You are needed here," he said, when there was chance for word with Tom alone. Better stay for the present"
 Two days later he returned to the city. month went by. One morning brief letter came from him. It read as follows
 "Tom--Marry the girl as soon as you like, You tried to screen the real thief. but I've found him out. Enough of that. The subject is too painful I owe you something for what you have suffered through me and mine Set the wedding day and I'll come up and lift the mortgage on the farm
 Toms eyes blurred as he read
 "Poor man. I am not sorry that I did what I could to spare him."