The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-10-15
CHAPTER XXI.
CONCLUSIONS,

NhAI LII AN
CONCLUSIOE.
A thrill of horror shot through Pres
ton Flat and all the surrounding coun
try. Before morning had scarcely
dawned the streets of Bushville wert
crowded with an excited thrOng. A
stark, CHASTITY form lay on a stretchel
in the front room of the bank, pierced
by half dozen bullets; and Mr.. Miles
who was on his way to the village
learned that it was his neighbor. Peo
pie came to gaze for a moment on the
awful sight and then hurried away.
Six dark, sullen men, covered with
wounds and bruises, were in the Jail
under strong guard. They were Bill
Martin and his five companions. Jack
Hawkins had been killed at the frs,
fire of the sheriff. He had breathed
out his dark soul in the doorway of the
bank he came to rob. Wild stories
flew. through the air from tongue to
tongue, and with the capture of the
brigands was coupled the name OF
Walter Brownfield. He was hero on
this morning. Those who had heard
the story of his daring and honesty,
even amid adversely, came to clasp his
hand. Walter was modest, and
claimed but a small share of the glo-
". This belonged to the sheriff, con-
stable and posse. Mr.. Miles, his son
John, wife and daughter and the Cali
fornian, were on their way to Bush
vile when they heard of the death of
Jack Hawkins and capture of his
gang. The story of the honor and in
tegrity of Walter accompaniment. His
bravery and honesty had saved the
bank. Mr.. Miles looked at Pinkey
and saw the glad tears flowing down
her checks. Mr.. Miles was strangely
moved, and dared not speak; yet
stranger than all were the emotions of
Mr.. Brown. He was affected even to
tears, and seemed in a hurry to get to
Bushville.
Mr.. Brown and Mr.. Miles and family
found Walter at the residence of MIR.
Smallweed, where he was busy recelv-
ing callers and congratulations.
by hockey, Walter" cried John
Miles, shaking his hand, while tears
stood in his eyes, "Iknowed ye'd come
out all right. 1 knowed We was hon.
est. Dye ought to seed ma and Pinkey
cry for joy when they heard it"
The emotions of Walter, the over
whelming JOY. are Undesirable. Mr..
Miles took his hand and said:
Forgive me. Walter; l confess did
ye wrong. / rally thought ye one OF
this gang of rascals. 1t all came about
by hearin' what Joe Brewster had said
about money bein' missed while We
clerked in the store at Queenstown,
and bein' out so late the night Mr..
Brown was nearly murdered"
''Miss Pinkey may tell you some time
where 1 was on that fatal night. l
never can; and as for Joe Brewster's
accusation, l have no explanation, save
that am innocent"
Pinkey and her mother were in the
room, but as yet she had not dared to
even speak word of congratulation to
him.
Il have something here that may
explain the Joe Brewster matter more
fully" said the Californian. drawing a
letter from his pocket II just got it
from the post-office." Opening 1t, he
read:
..QUEENsrowN, Oct Is-ls-Dear Sir: Yours
OF the 10th inst at hand. and IN reply am
pleased to state that l had young man a
short time ago named Walter BFownfieid as
clerk and salesman in my store. He was in
dustriOus and apparently honest. Money
was missing from the drawer and there were
circumstances pointing to his guilt. caused
his arrest, but failing in proof he was acluit-
ted. Doubtless. overwhelmed with the dis
grace. he left this portion of the country, and
l could not find HIM to right the wrong. l
low clerk named James Bozarth. and Waiter
Brownfield is Of course innocent. l will do
any thing can to repair the injury have
unwit'inxiy done Very rcspeS;fsa: ay yours >.
"Thank God!" gasped Walter,
"the last stain on my character is re-
moved"
There is one thing more l wish to
speak to you about, in the presence OF
these friends of US BOTH" said the
Californian.
Walter was astounded; who was
this strange man, and why should he
be Interested in him?
Walter Brownfeld, where were
you born?" asked the Californian.
g In the town of c., State OF
Illinois," answered Walter.
"What was your fathers name?'
George Brownfield; l never saw
him. He went to California in 1849,
and was doubtless killed. I never
heard from him."
He was not killed." said the Cali
fornian; ..he was for fourteen years a
prisoner, and to the world dead; but
he escaped few months ago and has
now returned to claim his boy.
Walter. your father is before you, and
the treasure you SO nobly aided to de-
fend last night in Mr.. Smallweed' e
bank is all your own"
The denouement was so sudden that
all in the room felt as if they had re-
ceived an electric shock. Turning to
the astonishcd Mr.. Miles, the Cali
forRian said:
Il must ask your pardon for little
deception played by me. My name is
not Brown. but George Brownfeld, and
this young man is my son."
All stared in blank amazement. save
Pinkey and her mother. who could no
longer restrain their tears of Joy.