Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-03-25

There's buying and selling In rrn-
ming a farm. Who looks after that
handles the cash?"
"Why Tom, of course. When 1t
comes to business, neye seen his
beat. He's real savin'. too. We're
glttin' along. swimmin'ly. Put some
thin by every month. He's as inter
ested as / be In gittin' the mortgage
paid of"
The colonel swung about and
frownlngly walked the room for sew
eral minutes. He was debating q
question with himself. "Tn wait until
morning" he decided finally. There
was no reason why he should spare
Tom, but he could not bear the
thought Of hurting poor, trusting Bet
ty. No matter what anne Of delay
he would do nothing hasty or Had
vised.
Supper over, he strolled to the barn.
What he had counted upon happened
Tom followed him out. The latter
began abruptly.
"Of course you'll have me arrested,
sir"
Eyes, unless you show a clean pair
Of heels between now and morning."
| snapped the harassed elder man.
Tom stared, amazed at the sugges-
ton the words conveyed. Flight He
had not counted on being shown any
mercy. But he shook his head.
"No, l shall stay and face the
worst"
"Tbe bigger fool you! It's a clear
case. You must know that flight is
your only chance"
mo matter. Some day everything
will come right"
The colonel looked at him sharply.
What did he mean?
"See here" he said grufly. you're
in love with that girl. What were you
going to do If 1 hadn't turned up SO
inopportunely? Marry her"
"Not with a stain upon my name"
"She cares for you. If I hold my
tongue, she will never know! You
ought to think Of her happiness-and
Of your own"
Tom turned resolutely, but his face
was white.
"Betty's name must not brought into
this" he said. "I made up my mind
to go when I saw how 1t was between
her and me. I was only waiting until
the crops were harvested. or Daddy
Crimes had found a man to take my
place. If l did not know how useless
it would be, I'd ask you to spare mi
until then"
The young mans eyes were wistful
Colonel Burton struck his fist into on
palm with sudden passion. 1t angeret
him beyond all reason that Ton
should take this course with him.
"Don't count on concessions fror
me-" he growled. you'll get none."
! "Very well, sir"
] And yet Colonel Burton did som
hard thinking that night when h
should have been asleep. He had a
ways liked Tom. For a year and
half the follow had made good. 81
d had not even hidden his identity III
! der another name. 1t was hard
d think ill of him. And yet an innocer
!. man would have turned every stor
s to prove his innocence, instead of tai
q ing to his heels.
e Suddenly, alone in the darkness, b
spoke aloud.
e II did the boy some favors. 3
e seemed to regard me as an eide
e brother. 1t is very strange-incompr'
h hensible-that-"
e The words died in a gasp Of pal
as a sudden thought struck him like
d stunning blow.
Next morning he went down
d breakfast with q rather tragic face.
% "You are needed here" he sal
Ie when there was a chance for a wol
IS with Tom alone. "Better stay for Il
Re present"
le Two days later he returned to Il
city.
r A month went by. One morning
lg brief letter came from him. 1t re;
I. as follows:
IL "Tom-Marry the girl as o o
YOU like. You tried to screen the re
It thief, but I've found him out. Enoul
If Of that. The subject is too painful.
p owe you something for what you ha
h. suffered through me and mine. S
the wedding day and I'll come up al
lift the mortgage on the farm"
IT. Toms eyes blurred as he read.
IT. "Poor man. / am not sorry that
did what ] could to spare him."
i'm