The Little River news., 1921-12-07
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The Fugitive" From Justice
By CALVIN HENDRICKS.


 senting not only the brawn but the brains and enterprise of Lucky Gulch.
 Ransome Jordan's eye glowed for a moment he threw back his head in his characteristic bluff and independent way.
 Boys he said, and his full, clear voice was broken from some intense emotion. ''I thank you, butt cannot accept"
 That was the way that Ransome Jordan turned down what his friends called the chance of his life.
 "Ransome, dear, why?" were the words that greeted htl as the wife who had overheard all met him at the doorway, and that was the hardest part of it all.
 Don't ask Nance.' he pleaded. "See here, it is you who made me what I am. The boys have helped, I don't know why"
 ''Who could help it." gently mur- mured Nance, stroking his great brown hand caressingly.
 "Now they want me to be mayor. 4 man of clear record, who will make the district proud of him. deserves the office"
 'Is there a better one than you !" cried Nance, her eyes sparkling with pride. "1s there man who has made Lucky Gulch clean and respectable as you have done? What is it, Ransome what is troubling you?"
 Ut is-nO can't tell even you .' der clared Jordan. At least not now not yet. Nance, do you trust me?' ITO the death-and after!" ''If I go away-away toto pay a debt, to clear the books, to take my medicine like man so that when I come back and can look every man in the face and say honestly I owe the world nothing, what will you say2' "RansOme," she said resolutely, ''how soon shall I help you pack up for your journey?" And thus began the pilgrimage of | RanSOme Jordan. One evening the l train to EastOn, little New England town, halted to let off the pilgrim. Several times he passed under the red lamp of a police station. Finally he entered the place, asked for the of ticer in charge, and was shown into the captains private office. q am from the Vest" stated Jor dan without ceremony. q have come to give myself up as fugitive from justice. My name is Ransome Jordan Did you ever hear it before?' A strange smile crossed the face of the official.
 "Why, yes" he began, but Jordan went on with his story. "One night in drunken brawl a i friend of mine named Prescott in suited and attacked me. I resented him with a knife thrust. I heard later | that he died. It was self-defense, but I have come back to clean the slate, whatever the law may say"
 'I have heard of you!" cried the of ficial, arising and wringing the hand of Jordan with strange fervor. Come this way"
 He pointed at large oil portrait William Prescott still lives. He Is judge of this court, and after that night you refer to became reformed man."
 Thank heaven!" murmured Jordan in great aspiration of joy and re- lief.
 Do you recall nothing further of that night?' asked the official, a queer expression on his lips.
 'Lfttle but flight, despair. I recall fire, and plunging into It's exciting whirl, hoping fate would blot me out"
 "Again-come with me-" invited the official.
 He led the way to the street and to the outskirts of the town where a large building stood.
 The fire you speak Of," he said, destroyed the old structure of the Dorothea Sisterhood. That night a brave man by means of plank span ming two roofs saved every soul in the building from death. You never heard of it? Strange See" and Jor- dan's guide pointed to a neat column surrounded by an iron fence and bear ing a broad metal plate plainly visible in the white moonlight.
 "I will read the inscription" said the official Tn grateful memory of Ran some Jordan, Hero, who lost his life after saving fourteen imperiled WOm- en. He was a true man :"
 And that was me?' gaSped the pet rified Jordan.
 That was you," responded the off cial, reverently lifting his cap. Held In loving memory, because you disap- peared amid the flames and it was sup posed you had perished."
 So the pilgrimage ended, but its echoes, now made public, reached Lucky Gulch ahead of Jordan's return. And when he appeared a cheering deputation of welcoming friends knew he would now accept rlghtful honor.
 A patient loving little woman alo .l I,i