The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-01

I
place SO thatI shall have no trouble il
finding in
"But you are not going Immediately
Ralph?". his mother interrupted.
II am going to start in the first trair
to morrow morning."
as there any need Of such precipi
tate haste?" 'Hl l3
"Yes. am going. and 1 dom. van'
to wait-l am not going to waitr' hi
declared. impetuousfy.
"You will run up to see Blanche
then. this EVENING" she asked, hest
tatingly. "She might think it strange
if you went away without mentioning
it to her."
"No. 1 am not going to see Blanche,
and she can think it strange il she likes!
am not under any obligations to tell
any woman but my mother when l take
fancy to go anywhere. MAY be
shouldn't tell her if she wasn't such a
foolish little woman as to care a grea;
deal about her boy. and to worry when
he is out of her sight, he added. fond
ly. smiling down into her face. his own
softening. ' p.
"Will you never get over your boy
ish impulsiveness, Ralph? Why do you
wish to start off so suddenly?" she
asked. half smiling, and half sad.
What is the use of waiting when one
has made up his Rind?" he asked. a
little impatiently. "Now, father, if
you please" taking out his memoran-
dunn book. I" 1t was near Michigan
City,"
.It was about two miles north, up
the lake, and within eight or ten feet OF
it. l should Judge" Mr.. Anderson re-
piled. land there is something have
thought good deal about ever since,
and that is a stone over the grave. /
wish you would get one and have it put
up, Ralph. The board may be de-
stroyed or rotted off before this, and |
don't feel right to have it so. l am glad
you are going just for this reason. !"
IL will attend to it and do all that is
necessary" he answered, quietly.
And this cabin, and the old man
give me the description over again that
1 may have it fresh in my mind"
Mr.. Anderson went over it all again
infinitely. while Ralph listened rs eager
ly rs if the story was new. and he was
hearing it for the first time
docs this Briefly live near the
grave" he asked.
''Yes; within fifty feet"
"Did any one else see her when she
was i'll, or after she died. so that in
case Briefly should be gone from there
| could learn any little thing about her,
do you think? Do you remember any
ones saying more than that they heard
q child was sick there?"
Il don't know as do; but you can
inquire if he should be dead or gone
from there. And about the stone; get
something pretty. and don't mind the
cost: it's the last thing We can do for
her." his voice growing little I'M
steady.
1t was toward sunset of the next aft
ernoon that R;Iph Anderson left the
little town of Michigan City behind
him and walked briskly up the lake
road. He had inquired in the town
and found that Briefly still occupied his
little hut. and he could hardly keep
from breaking into a run, there was
such fierce impatience surging in his
heart and stirring his blood.
A little WHEN 'aced old man, 4
knotted silk handkerchief of dingy red
arrayed Ia turban over fringe of
grizzly hair, opened the door a little
to Ralph's peremptory rap.
.'Do have the pleasure OF address.
ing Mr.. Brierly?' Ralph asked, as
politely as if he were addressing the
President.
The old man grunted an assent, still
holding the door nearly together.
Il came out here to see YOU. sir,
about the little girl who died here
seven or eight years ago"
There's nothin' 10 see. mister She
died and was buried, and there's her
crave. | should like TO know what
sends people here in droves about that
didn't murder her," he said.
all this in sullen, mumbling tone.
No one thinks you did that ] know.
But who has been here?' Ralph asked,
greatly surprised. r..
"Well, don't know: three afore you.
sartin. The last one that come was
fine chap-he gave me fifty dollars. He
was nice mana very nee man." his
little reddish-brown eyes winking and
blinking.
Il called to see something about
stone, and to see if YOU had any little
article of clothing that belonged to the
child?"
20 dear, no! burnt up the duds--
you see they want no use to me, and
mebbe there was disease in EN-, who
he said, stepping back again.
''Well, l suppose | can go out and
ook at her grave; she was very dear to
me-" -....
30 lud, yes; that's what they all say,
every one. It's strange, a gal who had
20 many dear friends, that they didn't
lake care of her. now amt it?n the lit
lie red eyes blinking like stars.
Ralph turned abruptly and walked |
AWAY to the grave, the little old man
Deering after him and laughing to him |
self, just the oldest laugh you ever
heard.
1t was a clear, soft, starlight night, |
md the hour was little after midnight. |
It was warm as September, and the
ground was light and free of frost. An |
odd thing was being done at the little
akeside grave. Two men were throw
NC out the dirt with swift force. The |
grave was less than three feet deep, to
heir surprise, and a small. rough coffin
vas speed ~ brought to the surface.
)ne of the men held a match while an
'ther started the top, and then another
match was lighted, and the two men
eaned over and looked in. 1t was
.mpty, save block of oak wood two
Get long, and an old piece OF blanket.
CHAPTER XIII.
Victor Montford had great respect for
stella Blake, but he did think it just a
title strange that she STAYED there after
he trouble there had been. Was it
'ossible that the girl was mercenary
nd designing, after all. and that she