The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-04-02

sTheres buying and selling In run
n,,g farm Who looks after that
handles the cash!'
"Why, Tom. OF course. Wneh
comes 10 business, never seen NE
heat. He's real savin'. too, were
pittin' along swimminly. Put some
Thin nv ever, month. He's as inter
ested as be in gittin' the mortgage
paid off,"
The colonel swung about ana
frownlngly walked the room Tor sew
eral minutes. He was debating
question with himself "Tll wait until
morning" he decided finally. Ihere
was no reason why he should spare
Tom. but he could not bear the
thought of hurting poor. trusting he'
ty. No matter what came or deias
he would do nothing hasty or lii-aa-
vised
Sumner over. he stroIled 10 the harn.
What he had counted upon happened
Tom followed him out. The lattef
! began abruptly.
"Of course you'll have me arrested
sirT
YES. 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.
mo, | shall stay and face the
worst"
1.-THE 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 gruffly. "You're
in love with that girl. What were you
going to do If hadn't turned up so
| inopportunely? Marry herr"
mot with a stain upon my name"
"She cares for you. If 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 II made up my mind
10 20 when | saw how it was between
| her and me. | was only waiting until
the crops were harvested. or Daddy
| Nj, 20
place. If l did not know how useless
it 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. 1t angered
him beyond all reason that Tom
should take this course with him.
| Don't count on concessions from
me-" he growled. you'll get none"
very 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 year and a
half the follow had made good. He
had not even hidden his identity un
der another name. 1t was hard t
think i'll of him. And yet an innocent
man would have turned every stone
to prove his innocence. instead Of TAX
ing to his heels.
| Suddenly. alone In the darkness. he
| spoke aloud.
II did the boy some favors. He
seemed to regard me as an elder
brother. 1t rs very strange-incompre
hensible-that--"
The words died in gasp of pain
as sudden thought struck him like q
stunning blow.
| Next morning he went down tc
breakfast with rather tragic face.
"You are needed here" he said
when there was chance for a wore
with Tom alone. Better stay for the
present"
Two days later he returned to the
city.
A month went by. One morning 8
brief letter came from him. It read
as follows:
"rom-Marry the girl as soon a.
You like. You tried to screen the reaI
thief, but I've found him out. Enough
of that. The subject is too painful.
owe you something for what you have
suffered through me and mine. Sci
the wedding day and I'll come up ant
lift the mortgage on the farm"
Toms eyes blurred as he read.
Poor man. | am not sorry that
did what could to spare him."
| Vegetation in the Sahara