The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1921-09-23

on his head. His knee breeches were
neat. II coarse: his stockings were
clean. His feet were we'll shod. his
coat worn, and he had still the lock
that belongs to the wsal-to-do peas
ant. He was . figure q courage ana
endurance.
Dyck's hand went out 80 him end
q warm smile crept to his nps.
slIichAel-eyer.faith Michael"
A moisture came 70 Michael's eyes.
He did not sDeak AZ. with look OF
gratitude, he clasped the hand Dyck
offered him.
Presently Dyck turned - cid ChAs-
topher with a Kindly lssgh.
"Wel, old frieAdl You. too, csne
to see the stag set loose aEaiaf You're
not many, thnt's sure" A grim. hard
look came into his faoe. but beth hands
went cut and caught the cid mans
shoulders afrectionateiy. This is no
day for you to be waiting ut prisons
gates. Christopher; but there are two
men whe believe In ns-tws In all
tho wsrld. II isn't the killing" he
added after q moments stlencs-"it
isn'e the killing that hurts 90. II It's
true that I killed Erris Bsyne, what
hurts most is the reason why ! killed
him."
Zone way or another-does It matter
now7" asked Christopher gently.
ut Is that you think nothing mat
tiers since I've paid the price, sunk
myself In shame. lost my friends and
come out with not penny leftT'
asked Dyck. "But yes" he added
with q smile, wry and twisted. Yes,
! have a little left!'
He drew from his pocket four small
pieces OF gold. and Gazed ironically ut
them In his palm.
"LeOk at theml" He held out his
hand, so that the two men could see
the little coins. Those wore taken
from me when entered prison.
They've been In the hands OF the head
Of the jeIl ever since. They give them
to me now-all that's left Of what !
was"
"No. not all. sir" declared Michael.
There's something left from Play
more-there's ninety pounds. and it's
in my pocket. 1t was got from the
sale Of your sporting kit. There was
the bont upon the lake. the gun and all
kinds Of riffrafr stun not sold with
Playmore."
Dyck nodded and smiled.
"Good Michael!'
Then he drew himself up stifIiy and
blew In and out his breath as II with
the Joy Of living. For four hard years
be kaA oeen denied the free mir Of
free men. Even when wn";'ne "a
the I,rison yard OF cold or fair days
when the air was like a knife or when
II had the sun Of summer In Il, II still
had seemed to choke him.
In prison he had read, thought and
worked much. They had at least done
that for him. The attorney general
hnd given him freedom TO work with
his hands, and to slave In the werS-
shop like one whose living depended
ON It Some phiianthropic Official
had started the idea Of Q Workshop.
and the officials had given the beSt Of
the prisoners q chance to learn trades
and make a little money before they
went out into the world. All that
Dyck hnd earned went to purchase
things he needed, and to help his fel-
low prisoners or their families.
Where was he now9 The gap be-
tween the old life Of nonchniancs, fri
vOiity. fantasy and excitement was
as great as that between heaven and
hell. Here he was. after four years
Of prison, walking the highway with
two of the humblest creatures ef Ire
land. and yet. as his soul said, two of
the best.
Stalking along in thought. he sud-
denly became conscious that Michael
and Christopher had fallen behind.
He turned round.
"COme az. Come on with me-"
But the TIVE shook their heads.
tits not fitting. you q Calhoun Of
PlaymOre!" Christopher answered.
"Well. then, listen to me-" said
Dyck. for he saw the men could not
bear his new democracy. I'm hun.
cry. In four years I haven't had q
meal that came from the right place
or went to the right spot. IL the lit
tie tavern. the Hen and Chicken, On
the Liffeyside, still goingf 1 mean