The boy's face began to
clear. An eager, excited gleam came into his eyes. He looked about him
as if searching for some sign of corroboration in the faces of the
performers. A certain evidence of dejection had crept into more than
one countenance. It began to dawn on him that the man was more or less
sincere in his argument; even the words of others, in conflict with
his purpose, served to convince him that the money was needed, very
seriously needed.
"If he's innocent, he can prove it," argued Braddock stubbornly. "The
county pays the five hundred. It's nothing out of his pocket. Why the
devil shouldn't I get it?"
David had opened his lips two or three times to utter the words that
surged up from his anxious, despairing heart. A sense of guilt and
shame had checked them on each occasion. Whatever it was that he felt
impelled to say, his honest pride rebelled against the impulse.
Now he lifted his head resolutely, and addressed the proprietor, whose
stand appeared to be immovable.
"I will pay you the five hundred dollars," said David clearly.
Every eye was turned upon him, every tongue was stilled.
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