The Springdale news., 1888-06-22
CHAPTER XIV.

hat had Lyman Chllder in common with those two men How was t that he should be shaking hands with the thief who was caught in the very act of plundering his house but few weeks beforei
 They were unanswerablc questions The distrust which Norris had felt once before was back again with a new forco. lie shrans from the dark speCulations which forced themselves into his mnd What ever motives had brought Childer 10 such an association with these two frequentcrs of Mtke M1oney's establishment, Norris felt that he was not the one 10 rry into them. Better, even, that Abraham Stone should continue to evade justice. than that act of hls should disclose unsupported depths that would end in sorrow and humiliation to her toward whom kis heart yearned in that moment with wonderful mingling of pity and tenderness-so young, so bright, se innocent. so joyous. Let Lyman Childer beware of his deeds, that the shadow of his evil should not fall upon her.
 " Sort of wondering what could take our straight-laeed young partner into that she bang'chi What would you give me to tel youl Id ought t.a be able to strike good bargain seeing the interest you stem to take in him"
 Norris faced about with an irrcpressible start. He had heard no step, but Hiram lngot stood Ut his elbow, his face well guarded by cap and collar, his shaggy over coat white with the falling snow, his atti- tude one of easy assurance as he laid his hand familiarly upon the others arm
 " reckon you've been making mount ain out of mole hill," he added, with an amused laugh. :. Confess now that you've been suspecting our friend Lyman of something httle short of murder or arson. Say what would ho think If he'd seen you come out of the crib over there, I'm not asking your business, but you sec It might have an ugly look"
 Havo you been watching me, sirin
 " I'll swear haven't Never was moro surprised thau when l saw you dodge over here GncNgo to peeldng into our friends 8 business. That's the way it looks to me, whether you like 1t or not.n
 = Do you know his business thereln Ques- toned Norris, sharply. Ingot gave his shoulders significant shrug
 Think l could make a close guess at il; But come, if you're done playing spy let us move on. The officer that belongs 10 this beat will be along pretty soon, and get it into his head that there's mischief between @ It $ an easy thing to make mistakes of that sort if one judges by appearances.
 At another time Norris would have re sented the book keeper offieious eompan- ionship but for once tho latter came IS . relief to his own troubled thoughts.
 '' shall be glad if you can explain Chil- der's conduct 10 me- he exclaimed. im- pulsively. IL seems scarcely honorable to try to fathom it in this way, but how can l help having my doubts! Did you see him shake hands with those two mcnt Do you know that one of them was Abraham Stonet l want to be Lyman Childer's friend Heaven knows, though l am afraid he does not care much for my friendship; yet how csn help susIectlng yillainy of some torti"
 IL was minute or moro before the other answered him.
 You're right. There is villainv. and it's to get 10 the bottom of it that Lyman has knuc4Ilcd down 10 going hand in glove with two rasca,s You think he ought to turn the fellow Stone over fer house-breaking but tell you, there is mighty sight big ger game behind the scenes than that Tam | Ter me 10 say what Lyman hasn't took me into his confidence, but he ought to- for I'll swear that we're both on the same lay. You ain't so sharp wittcd as you ought 10 be if you don't get the idea I'm driving at. v
 You mean that, knowing Stone to have been implicated in the express robbery, he