Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-06-14

blown over a,.d been forgotten"
"You are q Pcre Tabaret for reasoning"
said Norris, with smile.
'The thing seems plausible to you,
then!'
"Oh, very plausible. The only point
against it is, tina: things Of that kind are
not easily covered over. There would have
to be accomplices, or at least false rec
orIs"
"A clever man could manage it. Wen
pass over the difficulties, and see what
comes next. Surprising that he is dead and
buried in the eyes of the law, where would
person Of Edson's stamp naturally turn
to hide hirnself? Not an intellectual man. a
plodder in fact, understanding no language
but his own, after living all his life here,
what chance would there be for him to
have good time in foreign countries. Not
any. There's more probability Of his drift
ing back here in some sort of disguise
where he knows his ground, and will not
feel altogether Outcast and alone"
"Then your idea is to watch for him
herei"
Norris had learned to be patient with his
uncle's hobbies. He looked at all this as
another chimera, to be pursued while the
novelty lasted, then dropped and forgotten,
but he would not wound the relative who
had beer kind to him in his own eccentric
way by saying as much.
A shreTd look came into Amos Sergman's
shrivelcd face.
| ''Ive given you my theory in full. but
shall not give even you my plan of action.
A pretty detective I'd make, even of the
amateur sort, if didn't know when to hold
| my tongue. It's lesson you have learned
very well, my boy, very well indeed, and
approve of it in you. Come and see my
flowers while the daylight lasts"
He arose with alac-iry and led the way, as
if anxious to leave the subject they had
been speaking on. Norris blushed a little
to feel that he was leaving a wrong impress
sion by his silence. He had lost all Zest in
his own effort 1T detective work: the mys-
| terry of the train robbery was likely to re-
| main as much mystery to the end and Of
! late ne had not felt so sensitive ON account
| of the express companys suspicion.
| He staid three days at the cottage, then
! finding Amos Bergman still absorbed IN his
| theories and plans, went back to his city
lodgings.
1t was only the middle of December now.
He had quite two weeks at his disposal be-
fore settling down to the routine of bank
| duty-for Norris had made up his mind to
go to work there with the new year. He
had check in his pochet-booll which Uncle
Amos had insisted upon giving him for ex-
penses, my boy; You know said l would
see you through" and though Norris had
seized upon the opportunity to explain that
he had no hope of discovering the train-rob-
bers, the other had only laughed and refused
to be convinced.
"Take your own time, my lad. There's
h,,l, IN, TOO of
hurry Come to me when you want more
and use that as you please. I haven't had
my eyes shut, though you may think 81.
Your friend Childer is brick, eh.-lucky
that his loss wasn't such as to worry him
much!-a fine fellow, but we could wish he
was more sociable and not so much on his
guard. By the way, did he go to see you
after you were hurt! thought not! But
his sister did-and there's your point of
vantage Remember that all's fair in love
and war;
Saying which, Uncle Amos had parted
from him in high, good humor. leaving his
nephew amazed by his penetration and
shrewdness.
He must have got an mixing of how
things stand through the Everleighs. And
he seems perfectly willing for me to try my
luck with Carol. l thought-but no matter
what thought. The dear old man is inn
proving with age. must show him more
attention after this, have not gone to see
him as often as might
Oh, wonderful kingdom of lovers
heart! The magic touch which opens it is
a kind word for the reigning deity; the
knowledge that his uncle was not aversc
to sweet Carol did more to win his nephew's
gratitude than all his kindness in the past.
Mrs. Bates opened the door for him close
after his ring.
"Well. it do seem like Providence that
you should come just now, with such a note
waitin' from the lovely young lady, and l
hope it's no bad luck as has come to her. l
Il didn't go for to read it, Mr.. Bergman,
not bein' inquisitive, as I'm sure you'll say,
but it sort of fell apart in my hands before
knew. You'll find it on your table, yes,
sir; and hope you'll excuse me for hap
PENN to sec. Oh, lordy! lordy! what did
Ihave to go and give that away for" groaned
the landlady, as Norris sprang up the
stairs three steps ut bound. Il hain't got
a mite more sense than that Sally"
But, indeed, that slip of cream-tinted
paper neither inclosed or sealed, must have
proved temptation to the average land
lady. Norris Bergman's heart beat fast as
Hc toOh IL ups Dut lof tu.lt cUnleSSioH ny
Mrs Bates / am sure it would have gone to
his lips before he opened it.
1t held but dozen words: &.
"Come to me ut once. am in the great
est distress. Yours, ALTHEA'
A sense Of disappointment, but also of re-
lief, passed over the young man. The
simple matter OF the signature made all
the difference, but he prepared ct ouce to
obey the summons.