“The Doomed Outlaw.”
Over and over again did Ruth Leigh read this letter from her doomed brother. He had struck the right chord in appealing to her as he did, for he admitted his guilt, and, repenting, wished to live only for atonement for the past.
Bonnie Belle was deeply impressed by the letter. Her brother had been her idol from her earliest girlhood, and she had condoned his sins, and hoped for his reformation in the end.
Had the reformation come at last?
It seemed so to her, and hence she decided to yield to this last appeal, to give him one more chance. Then she called to the courier, and said:
“Let me give you this for your trouble, so report that your services are paid for, please.”
With this she placed in his hand a bill, which the miner saw had an L upon it.
“Thank you kindly, miss. But the answer?”
“Is for you to report that I simply said:
“‘I will.’”