The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-08-21


CHAPTER XII.-CONTINUED.
"Tf that young fellow is not guilty,
then am very much out ofreckoning"
The farmer watched the wagon as il
rolled down the road, sending clouds
of dust about it. 1t had to pass the
house of Jack Hawkins in order to
reach the large timbered lands of Mr..
Miles beyond. The farmer assembled to
his porch and gazcd after the wagon.
Il believe Bill Martin is going some
whore" he said as that individual
emerged from the house Of Jack Haw-
kins and, getting into the wagon of the
latter, drove off after Johu Miles team.
ut is certainly a wonder that Jack
will keep that worthless fellow about
him.
Walter Brownfeld was sad and
thoughtful on this day, and scarcely
exchanged a word with John Miles
during the ride from the house to the
forest. Poor Walter, he felt that some
great calamity was about to befall him
''Mr. Miles suspects me, he thought.
"He has heard the story Of my disgrace
at Queenstown. Great heavens! can |
never 90 so far but that horrible story
will follow me? ! am innocent, but
innocence does not clear rue of accusa-
tons | might as well be guilty SO far
asmy standing in society jS concerned. "
When harassed ny thoughts of past
and future degradation, the beautiful
face OF Pinkey Niles invariably arose
before his vision. Cupid had certainly
played a strange prank with Walter.
In the midst of trouble that threatened
with the penitcntiary, to fall in love
would seem out of the common order
of things, but such is often the case.
The whole family with whom he was
once such fayorite seemed to regard
him with suspicion.
81 feel assured" he said to himself,
with sigh. "that it will be best for
me to 90 away from here soon. D."
The forest was reached, and John
and Walter proceeded to cut the wood
and load the wagon.
The great logs were heaped upon it
until it had all it could bear.
That will do, said John; ''we will
now get back home, and can have the
rest OF the day TO nunt.
As he was in the act of mounting the
wagon load of wood to return, the dog
which had accompanied them scared
up a hare, and started it through the
woods, running past John and yelping
at every Jump. The dog was not ten
feet behind the hare, and so exciting
was the chase. that John left Walter to
stay with the team, and ran away with
the speed of a race-horse after the dog.
Hare, doc and John were soon out of
sight, and Walter was alone in the road
with the team. His bitter thoughts
were his only company, as he sat upon
the wagon of wood Down the road
came the rattle of wheels. He looked
up to see who it was coming, and tC
his surprise saw Bill Martin in the
wagon of Jack Hawkins.
Hello, Walter!" cried Bill; "what's
you waitin' furP"
Q John Miles to come back" an
swcrcd Walter.
Where's he gomez
"He and the dogs are after a bic
hare"
"Ia, ha, ha, John'll 60 crazy after
hare any time. Say, Walt, what
are We goin' to do after We get thai
wood home?'
Nothing except q hunt"
"Well, come with me-
"Where are you goingp"
''To Bushville.n
al have no reason to 90 there"
"But l want company. I'm goin' tC
see the justice there, an git out writ
,tur n Teller fur knocking down thai
stranger
"Do you know who did ftp" CRIED
Walter, eagerly; for he felt that a sus
picion rested on nina suspicion tina
was a mountain to remove.
I'm course l do; l worked up thu
ease an l am goin' to hev the reward
an glory what's in it, you kin jist be
ger bottom dollar
Il do not know that l can 90, but
would do any thing almost to aid you
10 bring the man, or men, who mad
.he assault to justice"
"W all, now, We kin 90 list as vel