Phillips County herald., 1923-08-23
Reward for
the Rat
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By CHARLES Z. BAXTER

CLOWLY Jean Passepartout studied
~ the features of the photograph iB
the newspaper, and then those of the
sleeping man.
ITS him, Marie" he said to his
young Wife. And there's reward
Of thousand dollars for his capture"
They looked at each other question
ingly. Eight days before the Rat,
wanted for the big holdup, had STUN
bled, frost-bitten and at deaths door,
upon the little isolated cabin where
Jean and Marie dwelt, They had
given him of their best, they had not
spared themselves TO nurse him back
70 life.
But-one thousand dollars! Never
had they seen such sum. And the
temptation was almost unbearable.
The trapping season had been
poor one, Marie was expecting her
first child in the spring, and there was
grave danger. The country doctor had
said that, had advised them to send
her into Montreal to hospital.
Suddenly the way to salvation
seemed open to them. They discussed
the situation in low tones.
But we cannot betray one who has
come to us for aid. God sent him,
and He will be angry with us"
"A thousand dollars Mon Dleu, a
thousand dollarsw
The Rat, lying with closed eyelids
in feigned sleep, heard. Since the
holdup, three weeks before. he had
been hunted remorselessly. He had
been the tool of others. He had not
taken a penny Of 1t all. His friends
had betrayed him, put the blame on
him. Again and again he had been
tempted to go back and give himself
up TO the law.
all over again. What queer thoughts
for the Ratl Never before had he
wanted to live straight What had
come over him?
1t was the sight of the affection be-
tween Jean and Marie: II was their
Kindness to him; it was his first ex-
pcrience of a home.
If he had met little woman like
Marie at some earlier time his life
would have run very different
course.
He opened his eyes and looked at
Mnrie when they were alone. He
could not bear to meet her gaze. He
knew how she was suffering.
He smiled, and Marie turned away
in confusion. The Rat was wise in
his way. He knew the weakness of
human nature. Although they had
decided not to betray him. he knew
that the temptation was likely to
prove irresistible.
II guess I'll have to be getting on"
he said.
"But you are not well enough. You
must stay till you are strong. We do
not mind you being here--we like 1t.
II is company for Jean and myself"
"Oh, well, guess I'll have to be
getting on" answered the Rat.
"Go. In Gods name. theni" she
chlded. turning away in sudden con-
faslon.
Early the next morning. when the
sun WIS Just coming up over tho
snowy wastes. the Rat appeared with
his bundle on his shoulder.
"I am going" he said briefly.
They stared at him and at each
other. "But thou must have coffee
lirst," said Jean.
la hiu h.aak fn az
They shook him by the hand. Marie
was crying. Neither OF them could
hear TO meet his look. The Rat knew
that as soon IA they had given him
decent start they would telephone the
police. from the priests house. twelve
niles away.
As he stepped out Into the snow tn.
Rat did some Of the hardest thinking
that he had ever done He knew his
rapture was almost inevitable. unless
he chose to die In the SHOWS.
And he knew that all their lives
they would repent the act OF treachery
inspired by their pressing need.
And he felt again that old longing
20 make his peace with society. out
In few years, an honest life. u little
wife like Marie
His life was forfeit to theirs. They
had snyed him And he must save
them from the shame OF the deed they
were planning.
Early that afternoon the Rat llmped
up 10 the priests door.
A few words TO the kindly old man.
who understood very soon.
at Is well. my son. IL IL the best
way" he snld.
"You will see that the reward goes
TO Jean and his wIfeT"
81 will see to II. my son." answered
Fnther Lcchance, picking up the tele.
phone.
Mother-ln.law Knew II All.