The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-05-07

comes to business. never seen his
beat. He's real savin'. TOO. We're
gittin' along swlmmlnly. Put some
hin by every month. He's as inter
ested as ! be in gittin' the mortgage
paid on"
The colonel swung about and
frownlngly walked the room for sew
eral minutes. He was debating q
question with himself. "Ill wait until
morning" he decided finally. There
was no reason why he should spare
Tom. hut he could not bear the
Thought Of hurting poor. trusting Bet
~. No matter what came Of delay
he would do nothing hasly or Had.
vised.
Surppr over. he Strolled 10 the barn.
What he had counted upon happened
Tom followed him out. The latter
began abruptly.
"Of curse yUu1l have me arrested,
STRIP
Yes. unless you show a Glenn pair
Of heels between now and morning"
snapped the harassed elder
Tom stared, amazed at the sugges
ZION 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 a clear
ase. 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 mean2
"See here" he said grufiy. you're
In love with that girl. What we're you
going to do II I hadn't turned DIP so
inopportunely? Marry herr"
mot with a stain upon my name"
"She cares for You. II ! hold my
tongue, she viii iever know! You
ought to think OF her happlness-and
" your own"
Tom turned resomteIy. hut his face
was white.
"Retty'S name must not brought into
his" he said. 81 made up my mind
} go when ! saw how II was between
her and me. | was only waiting until
he crops were harvested, or Daddy
Grin eS had found a man to rake my
place. If ] did not know how useless
i would be, I'd ask you to spare me
until then"
The ynAng mans eyes were wistful.
Colonel burton struck his fist into one
palm with sudden passion. II angered
him beyond all reason thar Tom
should take This course with him.
Don't count on concessions from
me-" he crowled "Ynu'l get none"
Very well, sir"
And yet Colonel Burton did some
hard thinking that night when he
should have been asleep. He had RI
ways liked Tom. For a year and q
half the follow had made good. He
had not v hidden his identity un.
Ter another name. II was hard to
'hlnk III Of him. And yet an innocent
nan would have turned every stone
o o prove his innocence, instead Of taxi
ng to his heels.
Suddenly. alone In the darkness. he
spoke aloud.
81 did the hoy some favOrs. He
seemed to regard we Ms an elder
brother. II Is very strange-lncOmpre-
henSihle-that-"
The words died In n gasp of pain
US a sudden thought struck him like a
stunning blow.
Next morning he went down to
breakfast with a rather tragic face.
"YOu are needed here he said.
when there wns a chance FOR a word
with Tom alone. Better stay for the
present"
Two days later he returned 20 the
city.
A month vent by. One morning n
brief letter came from him. II read
"a follows:
"Tom-Marry the girl as soon as
vOu like You tried TO screen the real
hief, hut I've found him out Enough
n that. The subject is too painful. I
owe you something for what you have
suncUd through me and mine. Set
the Slding day aud TIL come up and
dft the mortgage m the farm"
Toms eyes blurred as he read.
poor man. ! am not sorry that l
lid what | could 10 spare hlm."