Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-01-17

souvenirs TO take nome TO his dear ones on
the bank of the St Clair, when he encoun-
tered Willie Mckenzie. walking with
fashily dressed young man, whose cheap
fnery was in sharp contrast to the detected,
sullen look Of his countenance. He was not
recognized and followed the twain unob-
served for some distance. Suddenly they
stopped and he noticed Mckenzie give his
companion q roll Of bills. He heard the young
officers injunction as he paid the fellow the
money: "Write me from San Francisco,
and remember this is your last chance; for
by Heaven, Platt, if ever hear of your an
noying your mother and sister in person or
by letter, l will risk exposure and have you
arrested"
Without word of thanks, the man skunk
away, and Mckenzie turning down a side
street, Harry was left free to run down his
quarry. What an Insignificant little, vulgar
cad the fellow was, and to think that such
an apology for a man should have poured
out the ife-blood of big-hearted Frank
Barclay.
When Mckenzie was well out of sight,
Winthrop quickened his pace, and, laying
his hand on the fellows shoulder, said:
Mr.. Platt, want you.''
The trembling wretch turned his white
face on Harry in mild surprise.
"Wh-a-t f-o-r?" was all he could find
strength to gasp. He never for a moment
doubted but that Winthrop was de-
tective, such towards does conscience make
of u.s..
Nothing less than murder, Mr.. Platt,
No, you don't. you young houndv'' fer the
fellow was on tho point of making a dash
for liberty, but finding himself in Harry's
vise-lke grip, collapsed and whiningly pro-
fessed his willingness to go wherever his
captor desired to take him.
So linking arms with the compliant Mr..
Platt, Winthrop quietly conducted him to
his chamber in the hotel
"Now, sir,'' he said, when he had locked
the door and put the key in his pocket,
twill you tell me what became of the
watch-chain you stole from Lieutenant Nc
Kenzie?'
81 did not mean to take it for good,' Platt
whined, indeed didn't I only meant TO
borrow it for awhile and put it back where
found it before he missed it.'
"Where Is it nowa"
81 do not know, sir-that is to say, I think
gave it to a man named-Jackson.''
"You lying scoundrel," Harry Numbered.
tsYou have destroyed it. The night you
murdered Frank Barclay
''Oh. lord. never murdered Frank
Barclay! Why, I'm that tender-hearted I
wouldn't Intentionally hurt a fly. Do look
like murderera''
Harry was fain to confess that he did not.
Murder was hardly the role Of such cring-
ing, cowardly, contemplate specimen of
degraded humanity.
1.-THE man who committed the atrocious
crime wore that watch chain, and, since you
will not say what you have done with it, the
odium must rest on you. give you one
last chance to make clean breast of it.
Speak, Or in ten minutes you shall be in q
prison CELL Now, sir.''
81 dare not tell. The whole gang would
be down on me. It would be as much as my
life is worth"
''Your life is not worth much if you are
silent. But, If you prefer to go before
jury
''No, mol I will confess all; but couldn't
my testimony be kept dark? Surely there
is no necessity to drag poor innocent fell
low into trOuble-besides, Pm going to re-
form and join q church and be model
young man."
''If in five minutes you have not given me
the whole history of that watch-chain,''
said Harry, ominously glancing at clock
on the mantel-piece, ''off you go to jail"
Beads of perspiration stood on Platts
brow. He was evidently weighing in his
mind whether it would be safer to risk
court of justice or the vengeance of the dis
reputable crew into whose hands he had
fallen, but movement on Harry's part as
the clock struck goaded hum to dare future
danger if he could only get out of his pres
emit scrape
Stop, will tell you all,' he cried,
mostening his parched lips and looking so
utterly frightened that Harry, to whom
cOwardice was CRIME, could scarce refrain
from kicking him; Il lost money gambling
with some fellows. owed them more than