Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 293, 18 November 1906 — Page 9

lfie Richmond Palladium, Sunday, November 18, 1906. Page Nine. y Irving ISachellcrOoratiriuecl FVom ILa,st Sunday.

his lungs snoou hini with a deep ana

mulou inspiration. For a' little he uld not answer. 'That 13 why you do not love me?" h whispered again. 'I do love you." he said, with a stronsr ort to control himself, ,rbut I am not rthy to touch the hem of your garnt." - " ' " Tell me why, Sidney." Some day I do not know when I 11 tell you all. And if you can love after that we shall both be bappy." Tell me now," she urged. I cannot." said he. "But If you only bst me. Folly, you Fhall know. If l will not trust me" le paused, looking at the snow path. Good night!" he added presently, hey kissed and parted, each going thu company of bitter tears. ks of old. Trove had many a friend oolfellow3 who came of an evening Iw and then ror his help in some lotty problem.; All saw a change in hi. lie had not the enthusiasm and Fpd cheer of former days, and some bsed to visit him. Moreover, they re free to say that Trove was getg a big head. .For one thing, he had ome rather careless about his thes, a new trait in hrm, for he bad gift of pride and the knack of neatss. . ' V new student sought his acquaint ed the very first week of the term, t rather foppish young man who got the cars at Hillsborough the day of ir first coming. lie was. from Bufo and, although twenty -two years of was preparing to enter college. i tales of the big city and his frank bd fellowship made him a welcome est. Soon he was known to all as Ik, his name being Richard Roberts. was not? long before Dick knew evbody and everybody knew Dick, in ding Folly, and thought him a fine cow. soon i rove came to Know tnat en he was detained a little after kool Dick went home with Polly. at gave him no-concern, however, til Dick, ceased to visit him and he v a change In the girl. pne day two letters came for Trove. ky were in girlish penmanship and -e no signature, but stung him to the ck. For heaven's sake get a new hat,' I one. You are,. too handsome to neglect ir clomps," said the other. lS he read them his cheeks - were rning wath his shame. He went for hat and rooked It over carefully. It s faded, and there was a little rent the crown. ; .Hs boots were tapped mended, his trousers threadbare the knee, and there were two ches on his coat. ll hadn't thoughts it," said he," with. igh. Then he went for a talk with jrreL . Did you ever see a more shabby Icing creature?" he Inquired as Darcame to meet him. "I am so ashamof myself I'd like to go lie in your bd box while I talk to you." 'What hempen homespun have we hggering here?' " Darrel quoted in a ying voice. ... I'll tell jou," Trove began. Nay," first a roundel," said the tinkas he began to shuffle his feet to the hsure of an old fairy -song.- ; - if one were on his way to the gals, you would make him laugh," said ve, smiling. Ln I could, so would I." said the man. "A smile, boy, hath. In It Jne relish o salvation." Now. tell what Is thy trouble?" I'm going to leave school." said re. n wherefore?" I'm sick of this pinching poverty. k at my clothes. I thought I could i.e them do, but I can't." e put the two notes In Darrel's d. The tinker wined his spectacles then read them both. Tut, tut, boy!" said he presently, jh a very grave look. "nave ye f orjten the tatters that were as a badge honor an success? Weeks ago I lined to find thee better garments; ou my word, I had no heart for it. these old ones had become dear pie. I was proud o' them. Aye. boy. tad o them. When I saw the first fch on thy coat, said I. It is the litensign o generosity.' Then came ther, an', said I, That Is for honor true love,' an these bare threads e Is no loom can weave the like o n. rvay. boy." Darrel added, liftinz arm of the young man and kissing of the patches, "be not ashamed o e. They're beautiful, aye, beautiful. y stand for the dollars ye gave y." Jrove turned away, wiping his eyes. looked down at his coat and isers and began to wonder If he re. indeed, worthy to wear them. m not gaod enough for them," said "but you've put new heart into me, I shall not give up. I'll wear them ong as I oan make them do, and s can say what tbey please." I'be magpies!" said Darrel. "When have a thought for every word utter, there'll be then a second bath iu the week!" it evening Trove went to see he was leaving she held his hand ath of hers and looked down, blushdeeply, as if there were something would say had she the courage. rcl Vhat is it. Polly?" taid he. nil you will you let me buy you fv tat?" said she sober! and hesihe ig much between words. thought a moment, biting his lin. d rather you wouldn't. Polly," said looking down at the faded hat. "I v It's shabby; but. after all, I'm I o the old thing. I love irood ics. but I can't afford them now." ion lie bade her good nisrht and e away. CHAPTER XXVII. J-was court wek. and the grand jury was in session. There were many people iu the streets of the shire town. They moved with a foot, some giving their animation qtdnt3 of curiosity and shouts of gnltin. some to profanity and plug eco. Sqt:ire Day and Colonel Judwert to firm" Th famous maple ir case, ana nian cnzr ot iocsi brity v. ere ou the calendar.

' Toe third day of that Week It was about the middle of the afternoon a score of men gossiping y In the lower hall of the court building were hushed sudden!y. A young man came hurrying down the back stairs with a look of excitement. "What's up?" said one. "Sidney Trove is indicted," was the answer of the young man. He ran out of doors and down the street. People began crowding out of the courtroom. ' Information surprise and conjecture a kind of flood pouring out of a , broken dam rushed up and down the forty streets of the village. Soon, as of old, many were

afloat and some few were drowning in it. For a little, busy hands fell limp; and feet grew slow and tongues halt-) ed. A group of schoolgirls on their way home were suddenly overtaken by the onrushing tide. They came close together and whispered. Then a little cry of despair, and one of them fell and was borne into a near house. A young man ran up the stairway at the Sign of the Dial and rapped loudly at Darrel's door. Trove and the tinker were inside. "Old fellow," said the newcomer, hia hand upon Trove's arm, "they've voted to indict you, and I've Keen all the witnesses." Trove had a book in his hand. lie rose calmly and flung it on the table. "It's an -outrage," said he, with a sign. "Nay, an honor," said Darrel quickly. "Hold tip thy head, boy. The laurel shall take the place o' the frown." He turned to the bearer of these evil tidings." "Have ye more knowledge o' the matter?" "Yes, all day I hare been getting hold of their evidence," said the new comer, a law student, who was now facing his friend Trove. :."In the. first place, it was a man of blue eyes and about your build who broke into the bank at Milldarn. It is the sworn state ment of the clerk, who has now recov ered. He does not go so far as to say you are the man, but does say It was a man like you that assaulted him. It appears the robber had his face cov ered with a red bandanna handkerchief In which square holes were cut so he could see through. The clerk , remembers it was covered with a little white figure, .that of .a log cabin, j Such a handkerchief was sold years ago In the campaign of Harrison, but has gone oiit of use. Not a store In the county has had them since 1845. The clerk fired upon him with a pistol and thinks he wounded him in the left forearm. In their fight the robber struck him with a slung shot, and he fell and remembers nothing more until he came to In the dark alone. The skin was cut in little squares where the shot struck him, and that is one of the strong points against you." - "Against me?" said Trove. "Yes that and another. It seems the robber left behind him one end of a bar of iron. The other .end of the same bar and a slung shot the very one that probably felled the clerk have been found." The speaker rose and walked half across the room and back, looking down thoughtfully, "I tell ye what, old fellow," said he. sitting down again, "It is mighty strange. If I didn't know you well, I'd think you guilty. Here comes a detective who says under oath that one night he saw you come out of your lodgings about 11 o'clock and walk to the middle of the bridge and throw something into the water. Next morning bar and shot were found. As nearly as he could make out, they lay directly under the place where you had halted." Darrel sat looking thoughtfully at the speaker. "A detective?"- said Trove, rising erect, a stern look upon him. "Yes, Dick Roberts." "Roberts, a detective!" said Trove in a whisper. Then he turned to Darrel, adding, "I shall hare to find the Frenchman." "Louis Leblanc,?" the young man asked. "Louis Leblanc," Trove answered, with surprise. "lie has been found," said the other. "Then I shall be able to prove my point. He came to his home drunk one night and began to bully his family. I was boarding with the Misses Tower and went over and took the shot and ! iron from his hands and got him to bed. The woman begged me to bring them away." "He declares that he never saw the shot or the iron." Darrel rose and drew his chair a bit nearer. "Very well, but there's the wife," said he quickly. "She will swear, too, that she never saw them." "And how about the daughter?" Trove inquired. "Run away and nowhere to be found," was the answer of the other yor.ng man. "I've told you bad news enough, but there's more, and you ought to know it all. Louis Leblanc is ' In Quebec, and he says that a clock : tinker lent him money with which to leave the States." j "It was I, an God bring him to re- j pentance, the poor beggar!" said Dar-f el. 'ile agreed to repay me within aj ortmght an was in sore distress, but ; e ran away, an' I got no word o him." , fortnig! Well, the inference is that you, be ing a friend of the accused, were trylag to help him." "I'm caught in a web." said Trove, leaning forward, his head upon his hands, "and Leblanc's wife is the spider. ITow about the money? Have they been able to identify it?" "In part. yes. There's one bill that puzzles them. It's that of an old bank in New York city that failed years ago and went out of business." .Then a moment of silence and that sauna of the clocks, like footsteps of a passing caravan, some slow and heavy, some quick, as if impatient to be gone. "Ye speeding seconds!" said Darrel as he crossed to the bench. "Still thy uoisy feet!" Then he walked up and down, thinking. The friend of Sidney Trove put on his Ixat and sIxmxI bv the door.

"Don't forger," said he; 'yoi have many friends or I should not be able to tell you these things. Keep them to yourself and go to work. Of course you will be able to prove your innocence." , "I thank you with all my heart," said Trove. "Aye; 'twas friendly," the old man remarked, taking the boy's hand. "I have to put my trust in Tunk, the poor liar!" said Trove when they were alone. "No," Darrel answered quickly. "Were ye drowning ye might as well lay hold of a straw. Trust in thy honor; it Is enough." "Let's go and see Polly," said the young man. "Aye, she o' the sweet heart," said the tinker. "We'll go at once." They left the shop, and on every street they traveled there were groups

of men gossiping. Some nodded, others turned away, as the two passed. Dick Roberts met them at the door of the house where Polly boarded. "I wish to see Miss Vaughn," said Trove coolly. "She is ill," said Roberts. "Could I not see her for a moment?" Trove Inquired. "No." "Is she very sick?" "Very." Darrel came close to Roberts. He looked sternly at the young man. "Boy," said he, with great dignity, his long forefinger raised, "within a day ye shall be clothed with shame." - "They were strange words," Trove thought, as they walked away in silence, and when they had come to the little shop it was growing dusk. "What have I done to bring this upon me and my friends?" said Trove, sinking into a chair. "It is what I have done,", said Darrel, "an now I take the mantle o' thy shame. Rise, boy, an' hold up thy head." The old man stood erect by the side of the young man. "See, I am as tall an' broad as thou art." He went to an old chest and got a cap and drew it down upon his head, pushing his gray hai.r under it. Then he took from his pocket a red bandanna handkerchief, figured with a cabin, tying it over his face. He turned, look-' ing at Trore through two square holes in the handkerchief, "Behold the robber J" said he. "You know who is the robber?" Trove inquired. Darrel raised the handkerchief and flung it back upon his head. "'Tis Roderick Darrel," said he, his hand now on the shoulder of the young man. ... For a moment both stood looking into each other's eyes. "What joke is this, my friend?" Trove whispered. "I speak not lightly, boy. If where ye thought were honor an' good faith there be only guilt an' shame, can ye believe' in goodness?" For his answer there were silence and the ticking of the clocks. "Surely ye can an will," said the old man, "for there is the goodness o thy own heart. Ah, boy, though I have it not, remember that I loved honor an' have sought to fill thee with it. This night I go where ye cannot follow." . The tinker turned, halting a pendulum. Trove groaned as he spoke. "O man, tell me, quickly, what do you mean?" "That God hath laid his hand upon me," said Darrel sternly. "I "cannot see thee suffer, boy, when I am the guilty one. O Redeemer o' the world, haste me, haste me, now to punishment!" The young man staggered, like one dazed by the shock of a blow, stepped backward and partly fell on a lounge. "Y'ou, you will confess and go to prison!" he whispered. "Fair soul," said the old man, striking the boy's head, "think not o' me. Where I go there be flowers lovely flowers an music an' the bards an' propkets. Though I go to punishment, still am I In the Blessed Isles." "You are doing it to save me," Trove whispered, taking the hand of the old man. ."I'll not permit It. I'll go to prison first." "Am I so great a fool, think ye, as to claim an evil that is not mine? An' would ye keep in me tho burning o' remorse when I seek to quench it? I warn thee, meddle not with the bosifcess o me soul. That is between the treat God an' me." Darrel stood to his full hei?ht th red handkerchief" covering his head and falling on his back. He began with a tone of contempt that changed quick ly into one of sharp command. There wa3 a little silence, then a quick rap. "Come in," Darrel shouted as he let the handkerchief fall upon his face again. The district attorney, a constable and the bank clerk, who had been injured the night of the robbery, came in. "He is not guilty," said Trove, rising. "I command ye, boy, be silent!" said Darrel sternly. "Have ye ever seen that hand?" he added, approaching the clerk and pointing at a red mark as large as a dime ou the back of his left hand. Yes," the clerk answered, with sur cnief ;. then, turnin, adJed This jg tte N Darrp, prise, looking from band to handker- ; to the lawyer, he man." continued, rolling up his sleeve. "I'll show where thy bullet struck me in the left arm. See; there it seared the flesh! . . They saw a scar, quite an inch long, midway from hand to elbow. "Do you mean to say that you are guilty of this crime?" the attorney asked. "I am guilty and ready for punishment," Darrel answered. "Now, discharge the boy." "Tomorrow." said the attorney. "That Is for the court to do." Darrel went to Trove, who now sat weeping, his face upon his hands. "Oh, the great rivers o tears!" said Darrel, touching the boy's head. "Beyond it are the green shores of happiness, an I have crossed, an soon shalt thou. Stop, boy; it 111 becomes thee. There Is a dear, dear child whose heart la htjnK Ctn' oona&art h&E

Trove sat as if he had not heard. The tinker went to his table and hurriedly wrote a line, folding and directing It. "Go quickly, boy, an tell her an' then take this to Kiley Brooke for me." ' The young man struggled a moment for self mastery, rose, with a sigh and a stern look, and put on his hat. "It is about bail?" he whispered. "Yes." Darrel answered. Trove hurried away. A woman met him at the doof within which Polly boarded. - "Is she better?" Trove asked. "Yes, but has asked me to say that

she docs not wish to see you." ' S Trove stood a moment, his tongue 1 halting between anger and surprise. He turned without a 'word, walking away, a bitter feeling in his heart. , Brooke greeted him with unexpected heartiness. He was going to bed when the young man rapped upon his door. Brooke opened the letter and read the words aloud, 'Thanks; I shall not need , thy help." .. ,.c "What!" Trove exclaimed. "lie says he shall not need the help I offered him," Brooke answered. "Good night," said .Trove, who, turnlug, left the house, and. hurried away. Lights were out everywhere in the village now. The windows were dark at the Sign of the Dial, He hurried up the old stairs and rapped loudly, but none came to admit hini; He called and listened. Within there were only silence and that old familiar sound of the seconds trooping by, some with short and some with long steps. He knew that eooa they, were to .grow faint and weary and pass no more that way. He ran to the foot of the stairs andstood a moment hesitating. Then he walked slowly to the county jail and looked up at the dark and silent building. For a little time he leaned upon a. fence there in the still night, shaken with sobs. " Then he began walking up and down by the jail yard. He had not slept ah hour in weeks and was weary, but he could not bear to come away and walked slower as the night wore on, hearing only the tread of his own feet. He knew not where to go and was drifting up and down, like a derelict in the sea. By and by people began to pass him weary crowds and they were pointing at the patches on his coat, and beneath them he could feel a kind of burning, but, the crowd was dumb. He tried to say, "I am not to blame," , but his heart smote, him when it was half said. Then, sudden ly, many. people were beside him, and I far ahead on a steep hill, in dim, gray light, -he could see Darrel toiling upward, and sometimes the tinker turned, beckoning him to follow. And Trove ran, but the way was long between them. And the tinker called to him, "Who drains the cup of another's bitterness shall find it sweet." Quickly he was alone, groping for his path in black darkness and presently coming down a stairway into the moonlit chamb of his Inheritance; then the men of e dark and a feeling of faintness and great surprise, and a broad blue field all about him and woods in the distance, and above the growing light of dawn. His bones were aching with illness and overwork, his feet sore. "I have been asleep," he said, rubbing his eyes, "and all night I have been walking," - - He was In the middle of a broad field. He went on slowly and soon fell of weakness and lay for a time with his eyes closed. He could hear the dull thunder of approaching hoofs; then he felt a silky muzzle touching his cheek and, the tickle of a horse's mane. He looked up at the animal, feeling her face and neck. "You feel like Phyllis, but you are not Phyllis you are all white," said the young man as he patted her muzzle. He could hear other horses coming, and quickly she that was bending over him reared with an open mouth and drove them away. She returned again, her long mane falling on his face. "Don't step on me," he entreated. " 'Remember in the day o' judgment God '11 mind the look o' yer master. " He took hold of those long, soft threads, and the horse lifted him gently to his feet, and they walked, his arm about her neck, his face in the raveled silk of her mane. "I don't know whose horse you are, even, or where yon are 'taking me." he said. They went down a long lane and cams at length to a barway, and Trore crawled through. He saw near him a great white house, one he had never seen before, and a beautiful lady in the doorway. II turned toward her, and it seemed a long journey to the door, although he knew it was only a few paces. He fell heavily on the steps, and the woman gave a little cry of alarm. She fame quickly and bent over him. His clothes were torn, his face pale. and haggard, his eyes closed. - "I am sick," he whispered faintly. "Theron! Thcron! Come here! Sidney is sick!" he heard her calling. "Is it you, mother?" the boy whispered, feeling her face. "I thought it was a great white mansion here and that you that you were an angel.' CHAPTER XXVIII. OR a month the young man lay burning with fever, his brain boiled in hot blood until things hideous and terrible were swarming out of it, as if it were being baned of dragons. Two months had passed before he was able to leave his bed. He remembered only the glow of ah Indian summer morning on wood and field, but when he rose they were all white with snow. " "I must go," said he. "Not yet. my boy," said Mary Allen. "Yen are not strong enough." "Darrel has taken my trouble on him, and I must go.' "I have heard you say it oftensince you fell on the doorstep," said ske stroking his hand. "There is a letter from him," and she brought the letter and put it in his hands. Trove opened it eagerly and read as follows:"' Dear Sidney It is Sunday night, and all day I have been walking in the Blessed Isles. And cne was the Blessed Isia of remembrance where I met thee and we talked of all good things. If I knew it were well with thee I should be quite happy, boy. quite happy. I was a bit weary of travel, and all the roads haJ

out my. work is easy, and I have excellent grood friends. I send thee my ky. Please deliver tho red. tall clock to Bttsy Halo, who lives on ths road to Waterbury hill, and kindly take that cheerful youngster from Connecticut the one with the walnut case and a brass pendulum to Mrs. Henry "Watson. You remember that ill tempered Dutch thin? with a. loud goes and a white dial. Please take that to Harry Warner. I put some work on them all. but there's no charge. The other clocks belong to me. Do with thera as thou wilt and with ail that is mine. The rent is paid to .April. Then kindly surrender the key. Kow, can ye do all this for a man suffering the just punishment of many sins? I a&k It for old friendship and to increase the charity I saw growing la thy heart long ago. At last I have word of thy father. He died a peaceful, happy death, having restored the wealth that cursed him to its owner. For , his sake an" thine I am glad to know it. Kow between thee and the dear Folly there is no shadow. Tell her everything. May the soou God bless and keep thee, but the long road of happiness, that ye. must seek and find. Yours truly, K. DAEREL of the Blessed Isles.

Trove read the letter many times, and as he grew strong he began to think with clearness and deliberation of his last nicht in Hillsborough. Dar rel was the greatest problem of all. Pondering, he saw, or thought he saw, the bottom of it. Events were coming, however, that robbed him utterly of his conceit 'and all the hope it gave him. The sad lines about his father kept him ever in some doubt A week more, and he -was in the -cutter one morning behind Phyllis on his way to Robin's Inn. As he drew up at the old, familiar gate the boys ran out to meet him. Somehow they were not the same boys ; they were a bit more sober and timid. Tunk came with a "Glad to see ye, mister," and took the mares The widow stood in the doorway, smiling sadly. "How is Polly?" said Trove. For a moment there was no answer. He walked slowly to the steps, knowing well that some new blow was about to fall upon him. "She is better, but has been very sick," said the widow. Trove sat down without speaking and threw, his coat open. . . r "You, too, have been rery sick," said Mrs. Vaughn. : "Yes, very," said he. "I heard of it and went to yonr home one day, but you didn't know me." "Tell me, where is Polly?" "In school, and I am much worried." "Why?" : : - . "Well, she's pretty, and the young men will not let her alone. There's one determined she shall marry him." V'Ts she engaged?" ; "No, but but, sir, I think sh is nearly heartbroken." ,. . . -."I'm sorry," said Trove. "Not that she may choose another, but that she lost faith in me." 'Toor, child! Long ago 6he thought you had ceased to love her," said the widow, her voice trembling. "I loved her as I can never love again," said he, his elbow resting on a table, his head leaning on his hand. He spoke calmly. "Don't let it kill you, boy," said she." "No," he answered. "A man must be greater than his trouble. I have work to do, and I shall not give up. May I go and see Polly?" . "Not now," said the widow. "Give her time to find her own way. If you deserve her love it will return to you." "I fear that you, too, have lost faith In me," said Trove. "No," she answered. "But surely Darrel is not the guilty one. It's all such a mystery." "Mrs. Vaughn, do not suffer yourself to think evil of me or of Darrel. If I do lose your daughter I hope I may not lose your good opinion.'' The young man spoke earnestly, with wet eyes. "I shall not think evil of you," said the woman. Trove stood a moment, his hand upon i the latch. j "If there's anything I can do for you i orfor Polly," said he, "I should like to fcrimr it. Let's hone for the lost. J ssome day you must let me come and" he hesitated, his voice failing him foi a moment "and play a game of check- ' ers," he added. Paul stood looking up at him sadly, his face troubled. "It's an evil day when the heart of s "child Is heavy," said Trove, bending over the boy. "What is the first law, Paul?" "Thou shalt learn to obey," said th boy quickly. "And who is the great master?' "Yourself." "Right, boy! Let's command out hearts to be happy." The great bare maple was harping dolefully in the wind. Trove went for the taare, and Tunk rode down the hill with him in the cutter. "Things here ain't what they used t' be," said Tunk. "No?" "Widder, she taees on awful. Great changes!" There was a moment of silence. "I ain't the same dum.fool I used t bo," Tunk added presently. "What's happened to you?" "Weil, they tol' me what you said about lyin". Ye know a man ia the hoss business Is apt t' git a leetle careless, but I ain't no such dum fool as I nsed t' be. Have you heard that TeeKey Tower was married?"' "The old maid?" "Yes, sir; the ol' maid, to Deacon Haskins, an' he lives with 'em, an' now they're jes like other folks. Never was so surprised since I was first kicked by a hoss." Tunk's conscience revived suddenly and seemed to put its hand over his mouth. "Joe Beach is goin' to be a doctor," Tunk went on presently. "I advised him to study medicine,": Trove answered. j "He's gone off t' school at Milldarn! an is workin like a beaver. lie was purty rambanctlous till ye broke him to lead." They rode then to the foot of the hill in silence. "Seems so everything has changed." Tunk added as he left the cutter. "Ez Tower has crossed the Fadden bridge: Team run away an snaked him over, They say he don't speak to his hosses now." Ura-rtt went on-thoushtf ullr. Some Of

Tunk Ilo-sely's talk had been as nrcaa for his hunger, as a harvest, indeed, giving both seed and sustenance. More clearly than ever be saw before him the great Celd of life where was work and th 2 joy of doing it-

CHAPTER XXIX. ROVE sat in council with Mary and Theron Alien. He was now In debt to the doctor. He needed money also for cloth ing and boots and an enterprise all had been discussing. "I'll give you JjOX) for the mare," said Allen. Trove sat in thoughtful silence, and presently Allen went out of doors. The woman got her savings and brought them to her son. "There is $23, an it may help you," she whispered. "No, mother, I can't take it," said the young man. "I owe you more now than I can ever pay, I shall have to sell the mare. It's a great trial to me, but but honor is better than horses." "Well, I've a surprise for 30U," said she, bringing a roll of cloth from the bedroom. "These two old maids spun the wool, and I wove it, and, see, It's all been fulled." "You're as good as gold, mother, and so are thoy. It's grand to wear m the country, but I'm going away and ought to have an extra good suit. I'd like to look as fine as any of the village boys, and they don't wear, homespun. But I'll have plenty of use for it." Next day he walked . to Jericho Mills and paid the doctor. 'He Went on to Milldarn, buying there a handsome new outfit of clothing. Then he called to see the president of the bank that one which had set the dogs of the law on him. "You know I put $3,000 in the bank of Hillsborough,", said Trove when he sat facing the oIIiciaL T took the money there, believing It to be mine. If, however, it is yours, I wish to turn it over to you." , "It Is not our money," said the president. "That bundle was sent here, and we investigated every bill a great task, for there were some 300 of them. Many are old bills and two the Issue of banks gone out of business. It's all a very curious problem. They would not have received this money, but they knew of the robbery and suspected you at once. ". Now we believe absolutely in your honor." "I shall put that beyond all ques tion," said Trove, rising He took the cars to Hillsborough. There he went to the Sign of the Dial and built a fire, in, its old stove. The clocks were now hushed. He found those Darrel had written of and delivered them. Returning, he began to Wind the cherished clocks of the tinker old ones he had gathered here and there in his wandering and to start their pendulums. One of them, a tall clock In the corner with a calendar dial, had this legend on the inner side of its door: Halted In memory of a grood man. Its hands pointing to the moment of his death, Its voice hushed In his honor. Trove shut the door of the old clock and hurried to the public attorney's office, where he got the address of Leblanc. He met many who shook his hand warmly and gave him a pleasant word. He was in great fear of meeting Polly and thought of what he should do and say If he came face to face with her. Among others he met the school principal. : "Comlxg back to work?" the latter inquired. 'No. sir. I've got to earn money.1 "We need another teacher, and I'll recommend you." "I'm much obliged, but I couldn't come before the fall term," said Trove. "I'll try to keep the place for you," tsaid his friend as they parted. Trove came slowly down the street, thinking how happy he could be now if Darrel were free and Polly had only trusted him. Near the Sign of the Dial he met Thurston Tilly. "Back again?" Trove inquired. "Back again. Boss gi'n up farminV "Did he make his fortune?" "No; he had one give to him." "Come and tell me about it." , Tilly followed Trove up the old stairway into the little shop. , "Beg 3-er pardon," said Thurst, turning, "are you armed?" . "No," said Trove, smiling. "A man shot me once when I wan't doin' nothin' but tryin' t tell a story, an' I don't take no chances. Do you remember my boss tellin' that night in the woods how he lost his money in the fire o' '35?" ' "Yes." , "Waal, I with that. gues it had slithin' t do One day the bos3 an me

m& m r

The tall clock indicated 4:30. was out in the dooryard an' a stranger come along. "You're John Thompson, says he to the boss." 'An you're So-an'-so, says the boss. I don't eggzae'ly remember the name he give." Tilly stopped to think. ' Can you describe hixa?" Trove inquired. "He was. a big man. with, white

whiskers an hair, an' he wore ngni breeches an a short, blue coat." "Again tho friend of DarreL" Trove thought. "Did you tell the tinker about yonr boss the night we were all at Robin's Inn last summer?" "I told him the whole story, an h pumped me dry. I'd answer him an he'd holler 'Very welL an shoot another question at me." "Well, Thurst, go on with your story." "Couldn't tell ye just what happened. They went off inf the house. Nex d;ty the boss tol me he wa'n't no longer a poor man an was goln f sell his farm an' leave for Call foray. Ia a tavern near where we lived the stranger died sudden that night, an' the funeral was at our house, on' he was buried there In Iowy." Trove walked to the bench and stood a moment looking out of the window. "Strange!" said he, returning presently, with tearful eyes. "Do you remem ber the date?" " 'Twas a Friday, 'bout the middle o September." Trove turned, looking up at th brazen dial of the tall clock. It indicated 4:30 Ia the morning of Sept. 19. "Were there any with him when ha died?" "l'es; the tavern keeper; It was soma kind of a stroke, they told me." "And your boss did he go to California?" Trove asked. "He sold the farm an went to Callforny. I worked there awhile, but the boss an" me couldn't agree, an so I pulled up an trotted fer home. "To what part of California did Thompson go?" "Hadn't no Idee where he would stlctf his stakes. He was goln Inf the sold business." .. Trove sat busy with his own thoughts

while Thurston Tilly, warming to new, confidence, boiled over with enthusiasm for the far west. A school friend of the boy came by and by, whereupon Tilly; whistled and hurried awsy. 'Did you know," said the newcomer when Trove and he were alone, "that Roberts, the man who tried to send you up, is a young lawyer and is going to settle here? He and Polly are engaged." "Engaged!" "So he gave me to understand. "Well, if she loves him and he's a. good fellow, I've no right to complain. "I don't believe that he's a good fellow," said the other, - . "Why do you say that?" "Well, a detective Is is" - "A necessary evil?" Trove suggested. "Just that," said the other. "He must pretend to be what he isn't, andwell, a gentleman is not apt to sell himself for that purpose. Now, he's trying to convince people - that -you knew as much about the crime as Darrel. In my opinion he Isn't honest. Good looks and fine raiment are all there is to that fellow, take my word for It" "You're Inclined to judge him harshly," said Trove. "But I'm worried, for I fear he's unworthy of her, and and I must leave town tomorrow." . "Shall you go to see her?" "No; not until I. know more atout . him. I have friends here, and they will give her good counsel. Soon they'll know what kind of a man he is, and, If necessary, they'll warn her. I'm beset with trouble, but, thank God, I know which way to turn." CHAPTER XXX. EXT morning Trove was otJ his way .to Quebec a long, hard journey in the winter time those days. Leblanc had moved again, so they told him in Quebec; this time to Plattsburg, in Clinton county, N. Y. There, however? Trove was unable to find the Frenchman. A week of patient inquiry; then, leaving promises of reward for Infor mation, he came away. He had yet another object of his travels the prison at Dannemora and came there of a Sunday morning late in February. Its towers were bathed in sunlight; its shadow lay dark upon the snow. He shivered in the gloom of this shadow as he went up a driveway and rang a bell. The warden received him kindly. "I wish to see Roderick Darrel he is my friend," said Trove as he gave tha warden a letter. "Come with me," said the official presently. "He is talking to the men." They passed through gloomy corridors to the chapel door. Trove halted to compose himself, for now he could hear the voice of Darrel. "Let me stand here awhile; I cannot go in now," he whispered. iiie voice stopped, mere was a moment of deep silence. ' Then a stir la the audience a stir of hands and handkerchiefs. Trove entered; the chaplain was now reading a hymn. Darrel sat behind him on a raised platform, the silken spray upon his brows, long and white as snow, his face thoughtful and serious. The reading over, he came and sat among the men, singing as they sang. The benediction, a stir of feet, and the prisoners began to press about him, some kissing his hands. He gave each a kindly greeting. It was like the night of the party on Cedar hilL A moment more, and the crowd was filing away, some looking back curiously at Trove, who stood, his arms about the old man. "Courage, boy!" the latter was saying. "I know It cuts thee like a 'sword, an' would to God I could have spared thee even this. Look! In yon high window I can see the sunlight, an', believe me, there is not a creature It shines upon so happy as L God love thee, boy; God love thee!" He put his check upon that of the boy and stroked his hair gently. Then a little time of silence, and the storm had passed. "A fine, fine lad ye are," said Darrel, looking proudly at the young man, who stood now quite composed- "Let me take thy hand. Aye, 'tis a mighty arm ye have, an' some day, some day, it will shake the towers." "You will both dine with me in my quarters at 1," said the warden. Trove turned with a look of surprise. "Thank ye, sor. An' mind ye make room for Wit an' Happiness," said the (To be Continued Next Sunday.)