In Barracks and Wigwam — page 211: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Vain Pleading. hee “Linn, won’t you forgive me?” Bruce went on im- ploringly. “I can never undo what I have done, but I have suffered terribly from remorse and sorrow. I was a dastard and a coward to fasten the crime on you, but it was more Steve Halsey than me. I was under his influence, and I was afraid of his threats. It is not too late to clear you, I hope. If ever I get the chance I will make a full confession. For the sake of our old friendship say you forgive me, Linn. Won’t you?” “You are asking a great deal,” replied Linn. “I am- afraid you don't realige the injury you have done me . “Yes, I do,” cried Bruce. “I branded you as a thief, drove you from home, ruined you. I have not had an_ hour’s peace since then. I have thought of my sins night and day. I know it is asking too much of you to forgive me, but if you won’t do that, at least use your influence to help me—to save my life. Itisin danger, Linn. When I was captured Deerfoot assured me | would merely be kept a prisoner until the trouble was over. But a little while ago he came to me in a terrible rage, and declared — that he was going to have me burned at the stake. He accused me of plotting revenge against him, and of fas- tening the theft of the money on you and him. He knows all, but he did not know it before. You must have told him, Linn.” | “And so I did, God help me,” cried Linn. He covered his face with his hands, and a hoarse sob burst from his white lips. Like a flash he realized his mistake, and saw the dreadful consequences of his im- pulsive words. He understood the plan of revenge—both ~ for himself and Deerfoot—that was working in the lat- ter’s savage mind. “I forgive you, Bruce,” he said, “even as I must ask _ you to forgive me. But what I have done was uninten- tional and without a spark of malice. I confessed all to *, comicbooks.co -4. °SS. aA ee > e