Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-10-14
CHAPTER XXI

dawned the streets of Bushvillc were
crowded with an excited throng. A
stark, ghastly form lay on stretcher
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 Poo
pie came to gaze for moment on the
awful sight and then hurried away.
Six dark, sullen men, covered with
wounds and bruises, were in the Jail
under a strong guard. They were Bill
Martin and his five companions. Jack
Hawkins had been killed at the first
fire of the sheriff He had brcathed
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 Browniield. He was q hero on
tins 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-
ry. This belonged to the sheriff, con-
stable and posse. Mr.. Miles, his son
bNhhs NlAt anu lNNEhltl anu Ailt AAll-
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 accompanied il. His
bravery and honesty had saved the
bank. Mr. Miles looked at Pinkey
aud saw the glad tears flowing down
her cheeks. 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 hurry to get TO
Bushville.
Mr.. Brown and Mr.. Miles and family
found Walter mt the residence of Mr..
Smallweed, where he was busy receIv-
ing callers and congratulations.
"By hockey, Walter" cried John
Miles, shaking his hand, while tears
stood in his eyes, "Iknowed ye'dco
out all right l knowed ye was hon
est. O We ought to seed ma and Pinkey
cry for Joy when they heard it"
The emotions of Walter, the over
whelming JOY. are indescribable. MIR.
Miles took his hand and said:
Forgive me, Walter; l confess did
ye wrong, ! rally thought yc one of
this gang of rascals. II all came about
by hcarin' 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.
"Aiiss Pinkey may TIL you some time
where | was on that fatal night
never can; and as for Joe Brewstcr's
accusation, have no explanation, save
that | am innocent"
Pinkey and her mother were in the |
room, but as yet she had not dared 10 |
wen speak a word of eongratulation to |
him.
81 have something here that may
Explain the Joe Brewster matter more |
ully,n said the Californian, drawing a |
etter from his pocket. al Just got il /
rom the post-oliice. Opening It, he
'ead:
QUEENSTOWN Oct I7-ls-Dedr Sir: Yours |
u the 10Th inst NJ hand. aud IN reply am |
pleased 10 state that ] had a young man "A |
hort time ago named Walter Brownheld as |
,lerk and salesman In my store. He was in- /
iustrlous and apparently honest. MOncy |
vas missing from the drawer, and there were |
pointing 70 his guilt. ] caused |
iis arrest but falling IN proof he wns acquit- |
ed. Doubtless, overwhelmed with the d s. |
grace, he left this portion Of the COUNTRY. and |
could not iind him to right the wrong. / |
nave az last discovered the real thlef-n fcl- |
Ow clerk named james Bozarth, and Walter I
Brownileid Is Of course innocent. 1 will do [
my thing can 10 repair the injury ] have /
in"ii'inEly done Very TTesPeeif'gily yours,
JOSEPH BltLWsIfh' |
"Thank Godr gasped Walter,
- the last stain on my character is re-
moved"
There is one thing more ! wish to !
speak TO you about, in the presence Of |
hese friends of us both, said the |
Walter was astounded. who was |
his strange man, and why should he |
De interested in him?
Walter Browniield. where were |
'ou born?" asked the Californian.
- In the town of c., State of |
Illinois, answered Walter.
" What was your fathers name?"
George BrOwnfeld; / never saw |
iim. He went to California in 1919, !
md was doubtless killed never |
heard from him."
" lie was not killed, said the Cali |
'ornian; " he was for fourteen years a |
prisoner, and 10 the world dead; but |
ne escaped few months ago aud has |
low returned 10 claim his boy. |
Walter, your father Is before you, and |
he treasure you so nobly aided 10 de- |
end last night in Mr.. Smallweed's
,ank is all your own"
The dcnouement was so sudden that |
III IN the room felt as if they had re-
'eiyed am electric shock. Turning to
he astonished Mr.. Aiil,s, the Cali
ornian said;
Il must ask your pardon for little
played by me. My name Is
lot Brown, but George Browniield, and
his young man is my son
All stared in blank amazemcnt save
'inkey and her mother. who could no
onger restrain their tears OF joy
Mr.. BrownGeld then said that having
scaped ffOm the indians, he came East
With his immense wealth 10 share il
iith his son; that he learned that the
ouLg mans character bad blight
pom Il from the affair at Queenstown,
nd conilding his identity to Mr.. Small
reed only, he assumed the name Of
'rown until be had become strongly
onYinced OF Walters innocence. Mr..
mallweed being in the secret, they
eadily understood why he was so
asily persuaded to take Walter in his
mploy.
A few weeks later, the capture of
DC burglars and death Of Jack
Iawkins were things OF the past. All
X Of those captured, on being ar
hgned, plead guilty, and the doors Of
ie State prison now shut them out
pm that world in which they had
roven such dangerous citizens. Mr..
lilies bought the farm Of Jack
awklns from bis heirs, and they soon
Itef disappeared fg0m tho neighbor-
God, never 70 be heard Of again. Il
u ls sunny afternoon IN winter. I
aniel Hodge c0nes larryirg into the
tehon where Aunt Margaret IS pre-
arlng dinner Uncle Dan has thrown
! his coat ~ though 4 was midsum.