Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-10-14
Walter BrOwnfield
THE MYSTERY OF PRESTON FLAT.
BY JOHN II. Mus1cK.
TCoPYRioHT. 1890. by THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER CoMPANYl
CHAPTER Xxx.
TuE TRAGEDY.

The sun went down ON Bushvillc on
that fatal Wednesday evening the same
as usual. The few farmers who were
in town hurried homeward. The vii
layers closed up theirs shops and busi-
ness houses. MS was their custom. The
bank of Mr.. Smallweed was closed at
the usual time. Walter Browniield, pale
and nervous with almost blood!css lips,
managed to do his part of the business
without making any serious mistakes.
Darkness gathered over the village
and the lights in the houses were ex-
tiuguished. Three men, dark and
silent, were in the bank. The men
were Mr.. Smallwecd, Rockwell and
Walter. Others were creeping slowly
forward. At given signal the rear
door was opened and five more dark
forms glided in. Walter could hear
some stern commands given to others
without He shuddered. These COM
mands given by the sheriff were orders
which would produce pain and death.
The sheriff and four men were in the
rear room which was dark. The night
WIS cold, for autumn was ready to
deepen into winter. The thoughts of
the men within the bank were not
pleasant. II was horrible suspense.
such as is experienced by soldiers eX-
pccting battle. with this difference:
the soldier is Injured 10 danger and
courage. while the civilian is not.
Walter was not one of those characters
who delight in wild, exciting scenes,
not that he was coward, but that he
regarded the peaceful. honorable citi-
zen the real hero.
Mr.. Smallweed could hardly believe
that AN attack upon his bank was i'm
pending; might 1t not after all be
ruse ON the part Of the youth to get en-
ploymentp He did not feel pleasant
toward Walter when he thought this.
T" II he Is fOoling with me, said the
banker. :" will discharge him to-mor-
row morning"
Hour after hour dragged slowly by.
The men were all silent. The sheriff
was doing in his chair, double bar
relied gun between his knees. His posse
were seated about In chairs, some nod
ding, Others silently chewing their to-
bacco, and all beginning to doubt that
there were any burglars within five
hundred miles. Walter wondered why
the signal WAS not given. II was midi
night, bat II was too dark 10 see the
hands OF watch or the face Of clock.
No one dared strike a match. The
small fire In tho stove had long since
been allowed 10 smoulder into cmbers,
and the room was growing cold. Mr..
Smallwced sat silent aud gloomy in his
Office chair, becoming more and more
convinced that Walter Brownlcld was
a fraud Even Walter was anxious.
Had some plan Of Jack Hawkins mis-
carried, or were they only few neigh
bors OF Preston Flat playing a joke on
him, perhaps 10 test his honestyf
Might not Mr.. Miles be in the secret,
aud might II not all tend 20 his over
whelmlng ruinPn The suspense be-
came almost unbearable, as another
hour dragged slowly BY.
Walter was standing at the window.
gazing out into the dark night The
sky WIS cloudless. and studded with
million stars. Tho town was silent
cold nnd dark, and the frost was gath
erlng White upon the windOw-pane.
Suddenly q keen whistle was heard. II
came fIOm the old bridge that crossed
the creek. Walter started, and turn.
ing, whispered few words 10 the
sheriff. who had been doing ia his
scat Every one was now wide awake.
and for moment a nutter Of excite |
mnnt was pcrcciyable. Walter waited
until all was still. Agnin the shrill |
blast sounded on the night air, Il was
the signal
"Bo careful, whispered Waiter, and |
raising the window, he sprang through |
10 the basement below. He ran Lur- |
riodly down 10 The crick bank
''la that you. Waltz" asked voice
shlch he recognized rs Jack Hawkins.
III Is. ho answered. IL had almost
given you up.
"lt's just the hour midnight said
lack, IN a whisper ''ls every thing
eadYpn
"fcs. said Walter, ia q tone which
|nd about II nercenfss that Jacks
could not understand.
Then lend The way; we must Rii
hN iob over before daylight a2 bf |
pme ~ pn beds aslefpf
'tomo ou. said Ntlttr
INU nlan dark lIrrna mln IoIIomrd