The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-10-15
Walter BroWnfeld:
THE MYSTERY OF PRESTON FLAT.
BY JOHN r. MUSICK.
1COrYRloHr, 1886, BIT THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPASY.1
CHAPTER XX.
THE TRAGEDY.

The sun went down on Bushville on
that fatal "Wednesday evening the same
as usual. The few farmers who were
in town hurried homeward. The viii
layers closed up theirs shops and bust
ness houses, as was their custom. The
bank of Mr.. Smallweed was closed at
the usual time. Walter Brownticld, pale
and nervous with almost bloodiess lips,
managed to do his part of the business
withou: making any serious mistakes.
Darkness gathered over the village
and the lights in the houses were ex-
tinguished. Three men, dark and
silent, were in the bank. The men
were Mr.. Smallweed, Rockwell and
Walter. Others were creeping slowly
forward. At a 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
i
was cold, for autumn was ready to
10 deepen into winter. The thoughts of
the men within the bank were not
pleasant 1t was horrible suspense,
such as is experienced BY soldiers ex-
pecting battle, with this difference:
the soldier is Injured to 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 a coward, but that he
regarded the peaceful. honorable cit-
zen the real hero.
Mr.. Smallweed could hardly believe
that an attack upon his bank was i'm
pending; might it not after all be a
ruse on the part of the youth to get en-
ployment? He did not feel pleasant
toward Walter when he thought this.
81 If he is fooling with me.'' said the
banker, Il 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
oscre 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. 1t was mid
night, but it was too dark to see the
hands of a watch or the face of clock.
No one dared strike match. The
small fire in the stove had long since
been allowed to shoulder into embcrs,
and the room was growing cold. Mr..
-Smallweed sat silent and gloomy in his
office chair, becoming more and more
convinced that Walter Brownfield was
a fraud. Even Walter was anxious.
Had some plan of Jack Hawkins mis-
carried. or were they only few neigh
bors of Preston Fiat playing a joke on
him. perhaps to test his honesty?
Might not Mir. Miles be in the secret,
and might it not all tend to his over
whelming rDin?' 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 was cioudiess. and studded with q
million stars. The town was silent,
cold and dark. and the frost was gath
ering white upon the window-pane.
Suddenly keen whistle was heard. II
came from the old bridge that crossed
the creek. Walter started, and turn
ing. whispered few words to the
sheriff, who had been doing in his
seat. Every one was now wide awake,
and for moment a tiutter of excite
ment was perceivable. Walter waited
until all was still. Again the shrill
blast sounded on the night air. 1t was
the signal.
BE careful" whispered Walter, and
raising the window, he sprang through