The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-10-17
CarlBtOls Gift.
, A ~
BY HUGH CONWAY.
ToID ny rll1Ilr BRAND, NJ. D., IovDor
PART I.

PART 1.
TOLD by PHILIP BRAND, NJ. D., IoSDos.
The end of that wsetched night came at
last When the welcome morning broke l
found that a great change had taken place
nut Of doors, The fierce snowstol1n had been
the farewell Of the frost. The heavy rain
ndrapidly-thawing snow. managed oex-
tort some sort of a breakfast from my host,
then, having recompensSn him according to
my promise, not his desHAts, started, as soon
nate steed, for Midcombe, which place, after
my nights experiences, seemed gifted with
merits not its own.
Twas surprised upon leaving the house to
find it was of larger dimensions than, from
the little / saw of it during the night, l had
imagined. II was altogether a better class of
residence than l had supposed. My surly
friend accompanied me until he had placed
me on the main road, where l could make no
possible mistake. He was kind enough to
promise to assist any one ] might send out in
getting the dog-cart once more under way.
Then, with a hearty wish on my part that
might never again meet with his like, we
parted.
trouble. l took off my things, had a wash,
and, like q sensible man for once, went to
bed. But l did not forget to send a boy
straight of to the nearest telegraph station.
My message to .., Brand d., was ;o a PREF ea. one; II
his man" This duty done, | dismissed. all
speculation as to the result from my mind,
and settled down to make uparrears OF sleep:
l was surprised at the reply received that
same evening from Brand:-"We shall be
row. Meet US at station From this it was
clear that my friend was wanted particular
all the betterl turned to the time table and
found that, owing to changes and delays,
ton to Mldcoinbe, until three o'clock in the
afternoon. inquired about the crippled
dog-cart. 1t had been brought in; so | left
strict instructions that a shaft of some sort
was to he rugged in time for ME to drive over
they came as promised. 1t was a comfort
to see friends of any description, SO l gave
them a hearty welcome. Carriston took hold
Of both my hands, and shook them so warm
long-lost father of his in my friend. l had
almost forgotten the young fellows appear
ance, or he looked a very different man to-
day from the one l had seen when last we
poetical-looking sort of fellow; now he SEEM
ed full OF energy, vitality, and grit. Poor
old Brand looked as serious as an undertaken
,ngagedi in burying his WI mother.
Carriston began to question, me, but Brand
fnSpbTia , tirst,n he u said i'' Then he s"G tapne eaat to
sLook here, Richard ,'-when he calls me
Richard 1 know he is fearfully in earnest
II believe you have brought us down on a
FOOLS Grand; but let us 20 to some place
where we can ak together for q few min
utes."
l led them across the road to the Railway
Inn. We entered a room, and, having for
the sake of appearances ordered a little light
r~efreshment, told the waiter to shut the door
from the outside. Brand settled down with
the air OF n cross-examining counsel, lex-
pected to see him pull out q New Testament
and put me on my oath.
Now, Richard" he said, before we go
further l want to know your reasons for
thinking this man, about whom you tele-
graphed, is Carrlsto,n's man, as YOU call him"
Reasons! Why of course he is the man.
Carriston gave me his photograph. The like
ness Is MISUNDERSTANDING the tinger-joint
out of the question"
er t~riumphantly: The meaning OF that look
have never to this hour understood. But l
laughed because | knew old Brand had for
once made a mistake, and was going to be
called to account for it Carriston was about
to speak, but the doctor waved him aside.
Now, Richard, think very carefully. You
speak of the missing tinger-joint. We doc
toTsknow how many people persuade them.
selves into al sorts of things. Tell me, did
gSu hossss finger ing ns or did t See0I fact ye of f ths t ae
gers mutilation bring the likeness to your
mind?'
'Bless the man, l said; tone would think
1had no eyes. ] tell you there is no doubt
this man being the original of the photo"
Never mind-answer my question"
Wen, then, l am ashamed to confess 1t,
but l put the photo In my pocket, and forgot
all about It until had recognized the mar,
and pulled ont the likeness TO make sure. I
didn,te even know there was a printed de-
scription at the foot nor that any member
was wanting. Confound it, Brand! Pm
not such a duffer as you think"
Brand did not retaliate. He turned to his
friend and said grayely, ITO me the matter
promised you should" Then he sat down,
looking deliciously crest-fallen, and wearing
the discontented expression always natural
to him when worsted in argument.
IL was now Carri:tOn'S turn. He piled mt
with many questions. In fact, ! gave him
kind Of house is it9' he asked.
Better than a cottage-scarcely q farm.
house. A place, I should think with a few
One Of those wretehed little holdings which
are simply curses to the cOuntry.o
He made lots OF other inquiries, the purport
of which could not then divine. He seem.
ed greatly, Impressed when i told him that
~ bAAS $3.50 ANNA IVA o1lV I'LL iii
alone. He shot q second glance of triumph
at Brand, who still kept silent, and looked as
II all the wind had been taken out of his
sails:
''Could you drive ME there after dark?9'
AT this question the doctor returned to life
"What do you mean to do?" he asked hi.
friend. Let us have no nonsense. Ever
now | feel sure that Fenton is misled by
some chance resemblance
tDeuc6 a bit Old chan - I said
Wen whether or not, we needn't do fobl
tsh things. We must go and swear informa
zion, and get q search-warrant, and the assist
S Sa can Of the police; The truth is, Richard
son to believe, or / should say Carrlston per
sists in fancying. that a friend of his has TO
some time been kept in dulance by the maj
~n ~ you say you recognizedn ;,
lain enough for anything UP to murder.T
anyway" said Brand. I'VE must d.
everything according to law
"laW! l want no law answered Carris
ton; ~ have found her, as knew l SHOULD
once. You can come with me or stay here
as you like, doctor; but l am afraid 1 mus
trouble your friend to drive me somewher,
near the place he speaks off,
Foreseeing an adventure and great fun
moreover, nos unmoved by thoughts of re
venge-I placed myself entirely at arriston'
disposal. He expressed his gratitude, an,
suggested that we should start at once. In
Few minutes we were ready, and mounted tn
dog-cart: Brand, after grrmbling loudly a
the whole proceeding, finished up by follow
ing us, and Installing himself IN the bacl
seat GARRISON placed q parcel he carried In
aide the cart, and away we went
1t was now nearly dark, and raining ca
and dogs. l had my lamps lighted. SO we "a
along without much difficulty. The road
were deep. with mud; but by this time tn
snow had been pretty nearly washed ava,
from everywhere. / don't make a mistak
In q road twice, so in due course we reache,
the scene of my upset. Here / drew up.
THE house lies about five hundred yard
mp the lane" | told CarTiston; I'VE had bel
ter get cut here"
What about the horse?'' asked Brand.
mo. chance OF any one passing his wa,
on such a night as this; SO fet us nut out tn
lamps and tie him up somewhere
We uia ~ uien Struggled on afoot unit
We saw the CLEAN of light which had been :
welcomed by me two nights before.
II was Just about as dark as pitch: but
guided by the light. We went on until W
stood In front of the house, where q turf BAN
and dry hedge hid us from sight, although Ol
such . night we had little fear of our pres
ence being discovered.
What do you mean to doP'' asked Bran,
4 10 . ~ AZ