The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-10-01
CHAPTER XIV.
UNCLE DAMS PREDICTION.

CHAPTER Nv.
UNCLE DAMS PREDICTION.
Carefully as Mr.. Miles had kept his
opinion of Walter Brownfield locked
in his own heart. his very manner
aroused the suspicion of his family that
something was wrong. The GOODNESS
with which Walter was treated was per-
-ceived by all. and both old heads and
young began to put many strange things
together.
Pinkey Miles perhaps suffered more
on account of the youth than any other
member of the family. Her naturally
sympathetic heart went out to the I'M
fortunate Walter when he came there
a few weeks before. q homeless wan-
derer. His face was so pale and so
sad. he looked so weary and friendless.
she could not help plying him. Then
when she discovered in him the true
germ of manhood. a noble heart. and
highly intellectual brain. then was adj
miration mingled with her pity. He
was her ideal of true manlineSs. How
different when compared with the rough
-clownish fellows of Preston Fiat, who
seemed to know nothing save to run
horses on Sunday and attend corn
EuskingS. In form ne was mere slen-
der than they, not nearly so muscular.
oCt his ~enteel. well-bred air contrasted
strangely with the rough rude Youths of
Preston Flat. The Flat had its DULLES and
heroes whose achievements were with
the fist. Walter was Pinkey's hero. but
far different. He was a refined hero.
Could he be So bads" WAS the cues
ticn which arose in her mind again and
again. Was it possible that ne who
was 80 gentle and kind would associate
himself with men whose whole aim
was plumber and bloodShed?
Although Mr.. Miles had not charged
Walter. nor limited at his suspicious to
his family. Yet Pinkey knew as we'll
that he had suspicious as if she had
heard them. She had read of men
being decei:iul. and PLAYING the part
OF good men when in reality they were
knaves at heart, but Walter could be
playing no such part: his manner was
perfectly natural
Scandal had begun to whisper from
neighbor to neighbOr that the pale
youth knew more about the robbery of
the Californian than he would dare to
tell All these rumors We're kept from
the ears of Mr.. Brown. The wounded
man still kept his bed. though his arm
was healing and he was otherwise do
ing well. Walter seldom went into
his room, for he felt that there was
vague suspicion in the family that he
was one of the would-be murderers
If his mental suffering was great
Pinkeys was equally so. She seldom
saw Walter and never more than spoke
to him. She dared not trust herself to
speak with him. in the old confidential
way. Bitterly did her mind recall the
many pleasant hours spent in his COM
pany, and above all that delightful
ride through the forest road to church,
and return. Walter noticed her re-
served manner and misinterpreted it.
''She. too, mistrusts me-" he saidto
himself. as he sat upon his favorite
block behind the barn. They all sus-
pect me: they all think ME thief:
they all think me a murderer. Pinkey
mlstrusts me with the rest. Oh. what
have | done to deserve this?" he
graned.
As he sa: there he wondered if the
great and good Father, who watches
over all, had forsaken him. That
sainted mother, who now slept in her
grave, had taught him when a child to
call on the Lord in his hour of trouble
and He would not forsake him. Walters
heart was full and he prayed to God to
have mercy on him and bring him ont
pure through this fiery ordeal. All was
dark:sno star could be seen in the hori-
zon. Walter moved and acted like one
in . dream.
One afternoon Pinkey Miles put on
her calico sun-bonnet, which made her
sweet face and dark eyes more beauti-
full than ever. and went across the field
to the hut of her Uncle Daniel Hodge,
who was in reality a pensioner on Mr..
Miles bounty. She found Uncle Dan
iel and Aunt Margaret in the kitchen,
the good old man sitting in his favorite !
armchair With his stout cane in his |
hand Aunt Margaret was pairing APP |
pies her round pink face showing but |
few wrinkles, and the neat old-fash- !
Toned cap making the good old woman
look pretty.
Good mornin'. good mornin'. |
Pinkey; bless your soul. come in and |
have a..seat" said Uncle Dan IS she |
came to the door.
why. Pinkey." said the old lady.
show glad am TO see ye; do come in
and have seat You must be tired |
crossin' the fields
20, no. Aunt Margaret am not"
Pinkey answered, q smile on her beau /
iful face "A walk across the field,
which can't be more than = mile ut |,
most doesn't weary me-"
well. well. set down anyhow, and
tell me all the news What's the latest
from Bushville?"
There is nothing. Uncle Dan" said
Pinkey.
'-How's NJ. Brown gettin'r'
Better; we all think he'll be able TO
60 about soon." said Pinkey. her eyes /
CROPPING sadly At the mention of the |
wounded Calfornisp's name. !