The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-09-24

followed until the sun was almost
down before they rccrossed the bridge
on their return.
I'VE needn't be in SIGH hurry"
said Bill. as they started down. the
broad road at sweeping trot '.leas
Jack Hawkins don't care. and its none
o. ole Miles business how long we
stay"
To Walter, who could not brook
delay. or inactivity, the useless linger-
ing at the village had made him nerv-
Gus. He replied:
"Bus, Bill. we had nothing to detain
us there; your attempt to get war
rant for those names was failure"
I'm course it was" said Bill, with
another grin. II know'd he'd not give
n warrant for two SIGH names who hez
for the last thousand years stood for
nobody"
Then why did you demand the
warrants?"
20. don't We know"
mo, don't"
why. boy. we've hardly got yer eye
teeth cut in the business. yit."
Walter started and looked Bill in the
face. A feeling of horror seized him,
he knew not why; but the fiendish
grin on Bills face seemed to freeze
him with terror.
Il hardly understand you." after
n moments silence.
well, sir. l kin explain. I went
there to see eff the justice krow'd any
thing about the robbers. an eff he had
any suspicious"
The answer puzzled Walter almost
as much as Bills entire conduct had.
He now notic.1 that they had left the
main road, and were entering 4 mar
row wood path. The sun was down
and it was almost dark.
What are you going through the
forest for?" asked Walter.
Il mean to make near cut an git
home sooner by it.
Walter was si.enced by the answer.
The forest was dark. wild and lone
some. and would have struck timid
person with terror. Night was upon
them before they had gone a mile
through the dark wood. Bill kept up \
conversation as idle rs it was uninterest-
ing. You got out o that scrape slick,
my boy" he finally said, with his hid
eous face near our hero.
What scrape?" asked Walter.
30. at Queenstown"
Walter felt his heart give one big
leap to his throat, yet he feigned ignor-
ance.
You speak in riddles, Bill; can't
understand YOU"
Wall kin make myself plain as
We want me to-"
Il wish you would"
Wall. it's the little trouble We had
at Joe Brewster's or more egzactly
with the officers of the law. while We
we're in Joe Brewster's store"
Walter was speechless. This phan-
tom seemed determined ever to rise up
in his path. between himself and happi-
ness. 1t was the ghost that haunted
him and seemed likely to drive him to
ruin.
"Ye know" said Bill, nudging him in
the side with his thumb.
II suppose do" he answered.
'In course We do! ha. ha, ha.'
''But I will swear | committed no
theft and am guilty of no crime
.Of course We didn't. / like ter hear We
say that. ha. ha, ha." laughed Bill. up
roariously. rs though he thought it the
most excellent joke of the season. II
guess We think know all yer secrets"
"You certainly know that fatal one."
said Walter. hardly able to suppress
the tears that rushed unbidden to his
eyes.
"Ye needn't be afeard o. me givin'
We away. l have never give pal
away yit."
What could he mean by those strange
words! Once before he had given ~
terance to them. and Walter was rs
much mystiiicd now rs then. He was
soon to learn their fearful import. and
realize what it was to be 3 pal of Bill
Martin.
"Ye sec." continued Bill, 1--WE bin
there an know all about it. I
wouldn't blow on We cause We might
turn round and blow on me-"
Il know nothing on you." said Wal
ter.
Now. I'm goin' to tell You some
thin on Us soon, cause its gittin'
about the time We was understandin'
each other"
Walter trembled and was silent.
I'm satisfied yer man o. courage,
nerve an pluck. an told our capt'in
so. soon as I seed We. He is jist the
man to PRIV round an lay plans an
tell US how to lay our hands on the
swag the easiest.
Il certainly do not understand your
meaning"
..Ye want me to be . little Bit
plainer?"
Yes"
Eyer won't squeal'"
NO"
''Swar ven never tell"
IL do"
Eye hev courage?"
Il hope So"
..Ye hev had \ hard time all yer
life9''
Yes: indeed"
Wouldn't We like to liv easy, an be
rich. an hev heaps o. money!"
Certainly"
Wall. sir. we're'goin' to make piles
o money together.
Il should not object if it was gotten
honorably."
ANY way is honor ble-that is brave
and the wealth o this world don't
b'long to one man any more'n anoth-
er. The man that gifts more nor his
sheer is not titled to hev it. The rich
man puts his heel on the poor one,
and eff one man'll cheat another out o.
money an hoard it up. it's no more'n
right to go an take back what belongs
to ye. The money belongs to the
world; we're its children an hev a right |
to take our own"