The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-05-27

pect? Fat and sleek somewhere,
getting older and older - no use
presently-and all Marks splen-
did youth gone like this"
Hell live it down. He's young,
Burleson argued hoarsely. "Be-
sides, who knows? There are Of
ten deathbed confessions, one
may clear him presently"
She scorned that. do you
think man who'd done that
and let youth suffer for it-would
confess?" she demanded furious
Ily.
He nodded, moving his long
fingers restlessly on the arms OF
his chair. HE might, Pam"
HE wouldn't. Uncle Herbert,
you'll clear him for me, won't
your"
do you care so much child?"
She lifted that flowerlike face
of hers. It's killing me - he's SO
brave, can't bear it, that he
should be called-that!"
Suppose I'd done it, Pam?
Would you want meat any time
of life-to go out and confess it?
When the boys taken his punish
ment and he's ready to start
fresh?"
He leaned back in his chair,
studying her. Il tell you what I
can do, PAM" he said finally.
1--WE offered to do it already
told Fosdick I can help him to a
new chance"
She scorned that. "You mean
money? That's nothing! He can
work. know he'd rather"
Il didn't mean just money -
I've got little pull on the rail-
ways. I could help him to a good
berth. I'm like you, in way,
think he should have a new
chance"
Il don't think anything matters
half so much as his good name,
Uncle Herbert" She was still on
her knees beside him, she twin
ed her arms about his arm and
held him. who was the man
you suspected"
THAT was only a suppositious
case, PAM" he said hoarsely. Il
suspect no one at all"
She gazed at him wide-eyed.
YOU'RE not telling me the truth,
Uncle HERBERT"
I'm not - what?" he asked
t1ercely, froWning.
you're treating me like a baby.
I'm not-Im a woman and l love
man you helped send to prison.
Yes, you did! You testified
against him."
BurlesOn seized her young
wrists and raised her to her feet;
he had to rise to do it.
Nov, you listen! You go and
sit down and listen! I'm going to
put it up to you"
She obeyed him. She thought
he was going into one of his temp
ers, but she no longer cared. She
was too miserable. She sat down
at the library table, limp, small
tlgure, and waited, watching him.
He was grayer than ever. but
there was fire in his eyes. He
leaned toward her, talking slow
ly, striking the arms of his chair
sometimes.
suppose I did help send this
boy to prison." he said bitingly.
suppose I testified against him
what then? It was mere rou-
tine. l knew his uncle WE'LL
knew hlm-a little; he was a boy,
tall, lanky, hot tempered, some
thlng OF daredevil and his I'M
Gle was hard and close-as nails.
lie had a way of saying haunting
things; he could be insulting -
politely. Suppose then, someone
killed him, struck him down.
found that it fitted on to the
nephew like a glove - he'd been
there, and all that. Suppose he
let it go at that, and the boy
took the punishment, got through
with it and had his chance to
make his life over. Do you sup
pose the other man - secure and
comfortable and rich - would
step down to prison to clear him
after fifteen years?"
NO" she replied clearly, IT
don't thing he would unless you
made him. He's too bad a man.
"A man who lets another suffer
for him is wicked!"
He stared at her; a man of af-
fairs, a man of the world, arguing
with a child! His face twisted
again into the ironical smile, but
he looked i'll and gray.
you're right. No one would.
That's why it wouldn't do ma anv