SAM DORSETT’S SACRIFICE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 19, 8 March 1918, Page 2

SAM DORSETT’S SACRIFICE.

"Who'B there ? All right ! I see you ! Como out of it !’’ "I’m coming, Jim," answered a hoarse voice, and out from behind a pile of packing cases at the back of the shop crawled a draggled figure. Jim Lowndes started violently.

“You, Sam ! Heavens and earth, how did you get here ?’’ Sam Dorsott rose slowly to his feet, revealing himcclf as a short, rattier thick-set man with a close-shaven head, and dressed in rags which seemed to have been borrowed from a scarecrow. He was sopping wet, covered with reddish mud, and presented a moot deplorable appearance. He looked up appealingly at the other.

"I bunked, Jim ! Got away from Bodmin gaol last night. Been running an’ dodging ever sir.ee.” "And you came here ?”

"Didn’t know where else to go. You was my only friend, Jim." ‘‘‘You poor beggar !’’ said Lowndes, pityingly. "You look fair clemmed!’*’

"I am that. Ain't had a bite to eat since yesterday." Lowndes glanced round quickly. "It’s all right. The shop’s closed for the night. You wait here. I can get yon some food, anyhow,” He hurried off, and was back shortly with biscuits, potted meat, and Chocolate. The way in which Sam wolfed the food showed how near be was to starving. Lowndes watched him with pity mingled with anxiety, "But what are you going to do, Sam ? You can never get clear."

"I can, Jin* I’ve hedged the screws. Give me an old suit and a few shillings, and to-morrow I’ll get a ship down to Falmouth. Once on blue water they’ll never take me,” “You shall have the clothes and rash and welcome, Sam,” said Lowndes. “Like a cigarette 7” Doreett fairly snatched it. Lowndes struck a match for him, and ho Irew in the smoke with the intense delight of a man who has not tasted tobacco for many weary months. “You’re a good chap, Jim,” he said gratefully. ” I knowed you wouldn’t let me down. All the t.ime [ was mailing and crawling I said to myself I’ve got a friend at the end of, it.” “How’s' things with you) 7" he went on. “You’re looking a bit peaked like !”

Lowndes’ face darkened, but he tried to speak lightly*. “Oh, I have my worries, like anybody else ! A branch manager of a business like Erabook’s don’t have too easy a time.”

“You’re earning honest money, anyways !” replied Eorsett, with a touch of bitterness in his voice. “Lumme, Jim, but they don’t give a chap much chance when once he’s gone off the straight !” “That’s a fact,” said Lowndes shortly.

At tli is moment a sound made them both start.

“Get in there again,whispered Lowndes urgently. “Hide yourself, Sam. There’s someone coming !” Darsett dropped and melted instantly into the darkness behind the cases. Lowndes picked up his lamp, and hurried into the front of the shop.

Next moment the side door opened, and a girl entered —a girl of about nineteen. She was small, but had the most dainty figure imaginable, and Sam Dorsett, peering out of his dusty hiding-place, thought he had never seen a prettier complexion or a sweeter pair of grey eyes.

“ You Maggie !” Jim Lowndes seemed almost as much surprised as he had been at discovering Dorsett. “Yes, Jim,” she answered quietly. “I saw your light, so I knew you were at work. And—-and” —she faltered a little—"l made up my mind to come.”

“That was sweet of you, Maggie,” said Jim, and, taking both her hands in hie, stooped to kiss her. She drew away gently, “No, Jim 1 That is not what I came for.” Something in her tone made Lowndes draw himself up quickly. “Then—then ” he stammered, and stopped, “Jim,” she said with infinite gentleness. “Jim dear, I found it out to-day. Oh, Jim, how could you ?” Jim Lowndes’ face went white as ashes. He seemed to suddenly collapse and shrivel up. It was a nasty thing to see a big, strong man go to pieces so suddenly. It, frightened Dorsett. Much more did it frighten Maggie. “Jim !•” she said. “Oh, Jim !”

He dropped to Ms knees, and she laid her hands on his shoulders.

“Yes,” he muttered thickly. “You are right, Mgggie. Oh.. I’m a fool—a miserable fool, who has no right to your love. I’m worse! I’m a thief. Maggie, go away and leave me to my fate. It is the best thing you can do.” But Maggie did not move. Sara Porsett, cowering in his corner, thought her face the most lovely thing he had ever seen. He realised that Jim had forgotten him entirely, and although he felt that he was intruding upon a scene t’mt. was almost sacred, yet he cou’.l not. dared not stir. She spoke again : “I love you, Jim. Nothing that you have done, or can do, will altar that. I have come- to help you if I can. How much is it ?”

“More then I can repay—far more,” groaned Lowndes.

“But I have my savings, dearest,” said Maggie.

“Don’t, Maggie, don’t ! As if I would take them !”

“But you must, Jim. I have nearly twenty pounds.” 0

He shook his head. j "Even that would not help me, Maggie. I have taken nearly sixty. I had an opportunity to make a small fortune. Arthur Gold told me of those tin shares at Wheal Crofton, and of the new lode they had found, I saw a chance, as I thought*, to make enough for us to get married at once. I took the money and bought the shares, and two days later came the news that the mine was flooded." He paused a moment. "Ever since I have lived in hell. And now the end is near. To-morrow the company's auditor will be here. He will go through everything. The money will be found missing from the safe, and then ” He stepped back and raised a tortured face to the girl he loved. Dorsett’s own eyes grew moist at the sight. Gaol-bird as he was., his experiences had not yet blunted all his finer feelings, and Jim Lowndes had always been good to him. It was terrible to see him in such a strait.

"But, Jim," said Maggie, in an agonised tone, “there must be some way out. Think, dear ! Surely we can raise the missing money between us.” ■ Lowndes shook his head.

"Impossible !’’ he answered sombrely. "To save my life, I cannot raise sixty pounds before to-mor-row !"

Maggie bit her lip in a vain effort to restrain a sob of despair. Lowndes heard her, and flung his arms around her.

"Oh, Maggie !" he muttered. "Oh, Maggie, that I should have brought this upon you !’’ There was silence for a few' moments. Dorcett’s lip was twitching. ‘LS’welp me," he muttered, "I can’t stick this ! By crumbs, I’ll go out and crack a crib, or do something to get the cash for poor old Jim !” Jim had pulled himself together with a great effort, and risen to his feet.

“Maggie,” he said, suddenly, “I’ll go to Arthur Gold and see if he will lend mo the money. There’s just the chance !”

“Is there ?” exclaimed Maggie. “You really tbink he might?” “Yes, if he hao it. And you go home, dearest. I’ll come and tell you in tbs morning.” At the door she stopped and, putting both arms around bis neck, clung to him. Again San* Dorsctt felt that unaccustomed lump in his throat.

When Maggie had gone, Jim came back. He dropped into a elixir and. covered hie face with his hands. Silent, heavy sobs shook him. It was clear that he had no hope from Gold. Sam Dorsett’s lips tightened. He crept out of his hiding-place, and softly cast about for something. He found it at last—a stout piece of cord and with this in his hand crawled silently behind the chair in which Lowndes was sitting.

Occupied entirely with his own misery, the latter had no eyes or ears for anything else. He had, indeed, forgotten Dorsett’s very existence. With cat-like quietness the convict came closer and closer. Then he sprang, and before Lowndes had the least idea of what was happening the rope was round his body and arms. For a moment he struggled violently. It was no use. Sam Dorsett knew his business, and in a trice Lowndes was fastened into his chair so firmly that be could not move. He turned his head to Dorsett, and the reproach in hie eyes cut the other to the quick. “You needn’t have done that, Sam,” he said sadly. “I’d have given you anything you’d have wanted.”

“But I wants more than you can give me,” returned Dorsett hoarsely. “Now, I’m, agoing to gag you,” he added. “I don’t want you rousing the town.”

As he spoke he took Lowndes’ handkerchief, and, twisting it, forced it into his mouth. A quick search revealed a bunch of keys, and, after a moment’s pause to make sure that all was quiet, Dorsett proceeded to attack the safe. It was an old-fashion-ed arrangement not provided with a time-lock, and soon yielded to Dorsett’s nimble fingers. He filled his pockets with notes and gold, and, leaving the safe open, turned to the cashier’s desk. He took a sheet of paper and a pencil and laboriously indited a note, which he left lying on the desk. Without another glance at Lowndes he slipped away, went out by the side-door, and vanished into the night. Perhaps it was not altogether by chance that he omitted to close the door behind him or to blow out the lamp which was still burning in the shop.

It was the light which, a little later, attracted the attention of the village policeman tramping home from his rounds, and, finding the door open, he went in.

A burglary was an almost unknown crime in Goombestone,, and he gaped with amazement when he saw the manager silent and helpless in his chair.

Then he hurried forward and cut the cords.

“Whatever have they done to ’ee ?” demanded the constable. “Chap must have been hiding in the shop,” replied Lowndes thickly. “Jumped on me from behind; got my keys. He’s been at the safe.” The policeman glanced at the safe. “He has that,” he said, grimly. He went towards it, and the first thing he saw was Dorsett’s note lying on the desk. He glanced it over and gasped. “Well., I’ll be blessed !” he muttered. "Listen to this, Mr. Lowndes!” “ ‘Being in need of cash to make a fresh start after eight months in Bodimin gaol, I’ve helped myself. Make my apologies to Messrs. Brahook.— Yours truly, Sam Dorsett.’ ” "It’s the chap as got away yesterday/’ he added eagerly. “I’ve been

warned to look for him ! Which way did he go ?’’ "That’s more than I. can tell you,” said Lowndes. "But as he left an hour ago he’s probably a good way off by now." The other nodded ruefully. "Ay, I’m not likely to catch him.” He glanced at the note again. "Thoughtful sort o’ chap,” he said slowly. "It might have been awkward for you, this might, if it hadn’t been for this ’ere letter.” Light dawned on Lowndes. He drew a quick breath." "So it might," he said quietly.— “Answers."