Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-12-15


ming farm Who looks after that
handles the cash?"
why, Tom. of course. When II
comes TO business. never seen his
beat. Hes real savin'. too. We're
gtttin' along swimmin1y. Put some
thin by every month. Hes as inter
ested as be in gittin' the mortgage
paid Off"
The colonel swung about and
frowningIy walked the room for sew
eral minutes. He was debating
question with himself "I'il 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 strollei to the barn.
What he had counted upon happened
Tenn followed him out. The latter
began abruptly.
.-0f course you'll have me arrested.
STIR
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. I shall stay and face the
worst"
rThe bigger fool youi It's q Clear
case. You must know that flight u
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 grufiy. you're
IN love with that girl. What were you
going to do II hadn't turned up %
inopportunelyi Marry herr"
~Not with a stain upon my name"
she cares for you. II I hold my
tongue. she win never knowl You
ought to think Of her happiness-and
of your own"
Tom turned resoiutely. but his face
was white.
"Betty's name must not brought into
this" he said. II made up my mind
10 go when saw how 1t was between
her and me. was only waiting until
the crops were harvested, or Daddy
Crimes had found man to Jake my
place. II did not know how useless
1t 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"
"yery well. SIR"
And yet Colonel. Burton did some
hard thinking that night when be
should have been asleep. He had al
ways liked Tom. For a year and q
half the follow had made good He
had not even hidden his identity un-
der another name. II was hard to
think III 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 a gasp Of pain
as 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 a word
with Tom alone. Better stay for the
| present"
Two days later he returned to the
city.
"A month went by. One morning a
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. 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. l am not sorry that
did what / could to spare him."