The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-08-06


handles the cash?"
"Why. Tom. of course. When !;
comes to business. never seen his
beat. He's real savin'. too. We're
gittin' along swimmin'ly. Put some
thin by every month. He's as inter-
ested as l be In gittin' the mortgage
paid off,"
frownIngly walked the room for sew
eral minutes. He was debating a
question with himself. "I'll 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 came 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 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 shall stay and face the
worst"
"The bigger fool you! It's 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 grufTly. you're
in love with that girl. What were you
going to do If I hadn't turned up so
inopportunely? Marry herr"
'Not with stain upon my name"
"She cares for you. If I hold my
tongue, she will never knowl You
ought to think of her happiness-and
of your own"
Tom turned res0lutely, but his face
was white.
"Bettys name must not brought into
this" he said. II made Up my mind
t. go when saw how 1t was between
her and me. I was only waiting until
the crops werc harvested. or Daddy
Gr,nes had found man ~ ta,.N my
place IF ! did not knnw how rscless
1t would he, I'd ask you 10 spare nae
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 growled. "You'll get none.'
Every well, sir"
And yet Colonel Burton did some
hard thinking that night when he
should have been asleep. He had nj
ways liked Tom. For year and
half the follow bad made good. lie
der another name. 1t was ha.d to
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.
81 did the boy some favors. He
seemed to regard me as an elder
brother. 1t is very strange-incompre-
hensible-that-"
The words died in n gasp of pain
as a sudden thought struck him like
stunning blow.
Next morning he went down TO
breakfast with rather tragic face.
you are needed here" he said,
when there was a chance for word
with Tom alone. Better stay for the
present"
Two days later he returned to the
city.
A month went by. One morning
brief letter came from him. 1t 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.
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 co,IId IN SDora him.