Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1892-01-15
cuAPTER XXI.
TIE SERPENT SHOWS rrs HEAD AGAIN.


the prairie trying to decide what step
to take next. At first he was inclined
to go bacl, and find the man who had
bought the property. and try to in
duce him to annul the sale: but he
realized that such step would he use
less, since it was not probable that the
man would consent to the proposition,
even if he could be found, which was
not likely. Then he could not consent
to surrender the money.
So he put that idea away, and de-
cided to go on home. On the morrow
he would go to Mills and tell him OF the
sale and pay him portion of the
money. This seemed like fair way of
proceeding, and John had no doubt that
it would be all right with Mills. Hav-
ing come to this conclusion, he felt re-
lievcd. and continued his way with less
rnisgivings
Tic next morning John prepared to
return to town to carry out his plan,
and was about to set out from home
when he saw two men approaching.
lie soon recognized them IS Mills and
Pearson, ard with 4 feeling OF fear and
dread awaited their arrival.
"NIr. Green" said Mills, after the
usual situations, Il came out to see
you on little matter of business. |
am informed on reliable authority that
you sold your wagon and horses yester-
day. Is such the case?''
1T Is" said John, land l was just
-, -,
the fact, and make it all right with
you"
Mills smiled rather incredulously at
this statement, and John WINGED under
the expression of the moncy-lender's
sinister eyes.
such may possibly have been your
intentions, Mr.. Green Mills replied
doubtingly. Il do not pretend to know
what is in your mind. But the fact that
you disposed of the property right at
my Office without saying word to me
about it is rather damaging, to say the
least. 1t seems to me that you could as
easily have come to nc then, as to have
come home and gone back this morning.
The affair looks little suspicious,
sure
You don't mean to imply" cried
Green with Il CLEAN of anger, that
purposed acting dishonorably?"
NO, oh no, l don't mean to imply
anything. I am just stating the facta
of the matter. l have perfect right
to my opinion, though, presume.
Il suppose You have, but you have nc
right to make any assertions. l ac-
knowledge that did act imprudcntly,
but was driven to it. You know what
my situation is, and you ought to be
willing to make some allowances.
However, will now pay you that part
of the debt for which the horses and
wagon stood as security. and that,
suppose, will make the matter all right"
No, l can't accept such terms. II
would be setting bad precedent for my
customers, and would lead to no end OF
trouble
What do you mean to do, then?"
John asked with trepidation.
Il can do but one thing" replied
Mills, land that is to let the law take
its course. l suppose you know what
that will lead to-
Great heavens. man. John cried,
''rcmembcr my wife. and show that you
have heart. Would you send me away
to prison Tor no crime and kill my poor
wife by the act? Surely You cannot be
brutal enough to do that"
Il shall not do it. Mr. Green" Mills
replied coolly. II an not the law, and
neither can answer for the law. You
have placed yourself in the laws grasp
and you will have to abide the conse-
quences."
Cant 1 do anything to satisfy you
and avert this awful fate?" asked John.
Not that I know Of said Mills.
You will have 10 make your plea to
| the court"
Mills turned to ride away, but Harry
Pearson, who all this time had kept
quiet, motioned him aside. and for
some time they talked together earn
estly. Finally they came back to Green,
and Mills said
For the present, Mr. Green, will
let this affair rest. since my friend here
so much desires should. He agrees to
stand responsible for you. and have
promised to DO nothing for few days.
l do not know what may be done
eventually, but just now you may rest
quietly. Good day"
Pearson went away with Mills to
avoid Johns thanks, and John returned
to the house greatly relieved by the
turn matters had taken.
Pearson viii see me out all right,
he thought, and there will be nothing
more OF it. lie viii compel Mills to ac.
cept the money and remain quiet"
In this reckoning John was correct to
certain extent, but he little dreamed
how dearly Pearson meant to charge
for his good Offices.
Two or three days passed and Their
Pearson came again to John Green's
house joan welcomed him with al
his heart and embraced the opportun
ity TO thank him for his services rem
dered few days before.
1T is nothing" Harry protested
''nothing at all, Green, to make fus:
over; and yet I'm glad l was able tc
help you. Mills is bad man 70 dea
with, as | have lately discovered, and
am sorry you borrowed that money o
him. But having got you into his hand:
feel it my duty to help you out. Blu
there. wen let the matter drop. How
is Mrs. Green to-day?'
'She is doing splendidly," said John
'Taproving rapidly, and if nothing in
terferes 10 give her. relapse she'll sool
be well enough to get about. She ha
had trying time of it
Indeed she pas" replied Harry sym
i pathet;ca!ly.
Harry soon found an opportunity o