CHAPTER LXV. THE CRIME OF A COWARD.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 106, 13 June 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER LXV. THE CRIME OF A COWARD.

And tlio stars shall fall and the angola lio woopliHr, Kro I ceaBQ to lovo her, my queen, my queen 1 ' Owen Meredith. At tho sound of that name, unheard for fifteen prosperous years, Jonas Clallin dropped the gill's wrist and started bacU 08 though an adder had stung him. Who was this that knew him— had known him ? Whoever he might bo, Mr Claflin was curiously anxious to avoid him. In tho days when ho had borno tho sobriquet of Red Jake his reputation had boon anything but an onviablo one. Grown suddenly oblivious of his long-lost wifo, ho ondeavourod to slink out of sight, to ofFaco himself as it wero. " It is Claflin !" Vella whisperod. "Olaflin !" he echoed, in amazoinont. Red Jake, tho gambler and desperado ho had remomborcd seeing when he himself was but a lad, the bully who, in that Moxican camp whorein ho and hia fathor tarried, had shot down an unarmed and innocont man — ho and Jonas Clallin tho samo, rich, oxtolled, flattored, righteous Jonas Claflin ! Not so quickly as ho dosircd could tho latter remove his corpulent person. Tho closo-pressing, interostod crowd hedged him in a living wall. And this samo crowd, swift to acknowlodgo revdrsod supremacy, laughed out at tho discomfiture of tho Falstnflian individual in thoir midst. Claflin ! With Owen Cost olio, to think was to act, and just now, as a thought, schomo, purposo loaped up in his brain, ho strodo forward, laid his hand on his shoulder. lio bent down and spoko a few words in his car — just a fow, but they wero singulary effective. Ho growsickoningly pallid in tho gas-light, but did not attempt again to oscapo. "Movo on ! movo on ! What's all this crush about ?" demandod an officious voice, and a bluo-coated policoman elbowed his way through tho throng. " Officor," Claflin began, in choking protest. But young Costello's hand tightonod on his shoulder, young Costollo's voico sounded low and warningly. " No tricks, or, by Iloaven, I'll hand you over, hero and now !" And then to tho policoman: "There is no troublo. This young lady has lost hor way — that is all. Call a cab for hor, ploaso, and send those people about thoir business." •• Those people," seoingthat the prospect of fun was at an ond, promptly dispersed. Itwasno joke to fctand still in that driving snowstorm. A carriage, summoned by tho officer, drow up at tho curb-stono. Owon assisted Volla in. Tho flowor-liko face which loant forward from th.o dark inclosuro and looked up at him in tho gaslight was white and quivering. ''Lot him go," sho urged, softly, hurriedly. " Don't got into any trouble on my account." " I shall let him go whon I am dono with him," ho replied, not discourteously, but with a grimnoss new to him. Then ho stepped back, lifting his hat. Ho gavo tho addross to the driver. Tho horses startod. Tho carriacco rollod away. 3? Owen Costollo turned to Glaflin, standing stolidly near by, that groyish huo still on his broad face, a bailled gleam in hia small eyp.s. " And now, sir," etornly, " I shall sottlo with you !" " You will, oh ?" with a forced laugh and an effort at bravado. " I'd like to know by what right " But Owon cut him short. " Come, now, nono of that !" and so big and fierce he looked, Jonas quite wilted. fi I know you, my man, and I know no good of you. The world has gone well with you since those old days at Diamond Gulch. No ono recognises in Mr Claflin tho rospocted millionaire, the " " Hush !" tho other cried, sharply. They had turnod, and wore walking up Chostnut-stroct. Tho snow had grown blinding. It beat in thoir facos as thoy wont along," Boft, pure, pitiless, "Ihavo no dosiro to exposo you," Owen Nventon, calmly. "A statement from mo would land you in tho ponitontiary for lifo, and you. know it. But I sha'n't speak that woid, if you consont to a very simplo condition of mine" Claflin glowered angrily around. If ho could only cut and run — got rid of this troublosomo companion, onco and for all ! But, no ; that would nover do. Mr Owon Costollo's legs wore a groat deal too long and agilo to risk a raco with them. And instinctivoly ho knew that wero ho to try any such game, the* man bosido him was quito capable of fulfilling his throat. " Woll?" with a sullon growl. "Well," ropeated Owen, deliberately, " the facts in tho case are these : An old crony of yours, now dead, by namo Colonel James Vernell, was guilty of the robbery of his brother's childron confided to his care." " Curse the wholo family !" amiably interpolated Mr Claflin. " You became cognisant of 'tho affair," went on Costello, in that unprovoked and resolute tone of bis, " and you offerod to bo silent concerning it if paid in flesh and blood — you modern Shylock, you !" "I got her !" muttered tho other, vindictively, between his toeth. " Sho's my wifo, safe and sure, and I'll have hor yot, as I'm a living man !" Owen laughed. " Sho's no more your wife than sho's mine, you poor deluded old fool !" "That's another lie!" grunted Claflin. *' Her brothor told me sho was dead." " Ho thought so, then !" put in Owen. " Now you chip in to help him out. Not my wife, indeed ! I toll you, Mr Impudence, it's a most atrocious lio 1" " And 1 tell you that the person who stood beside you before the minister and responded to tho marriage vows was Voyle Vernell. This can be attested to your ontire dissatisfaction by the lady who robed tho brido. I am sure sho will at any timo bo pleased to answer your inquiries. But tbis is not tho question I wish to discuss. ; Where are you staying ? wo can talk more at our leisure there." Mr Claflin 'a rotund figure revolved slowly for all tho world like a punchoon on a pivot. He favoured Owen with a critical glance. He was cool, but ho answered nevertheless. "At tho St. Pierre," he said. So when thoy camo to Broad-str6ot thoy turned down its wide thoroughfare to the hotel mentioned. When they reached Mr Claflin 's door he opened it and motioned tho other to enter, camo in after him, closed tho door carefully. Then he turned and faced Owen. " Now out with it 1" Ho was looking like a thunder-cloud, all the surliness of ono who j knows himself vanquished in his strident voico.