Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-07

had been quite friendly with my Z
Their, II occurred TO me that cou
claim his hospitality for little Will
till could get the means 10 pay hin
| found him alone, and briefly d
scribed what had happened. though
he would go into commissions. His II
sides shook with laughter.
"Well, now, that's gloriousi TIL
best thing I've heard for year. Trio
70 lick You, did hep Would you reall
have knocked him down with Oh
stool2"
Indeed should, II he'd como will
In reach Of It."
''But did you really md truly cal
him a canting old hypocritep"
yea"
well, I'm poor enough; but I'd hav
given five dollars 70 hear IL. The maj
heard the truth about himself 70
once. You're welcome 10 stay here I'll
you can do better Did the deacon sa,
anything about settling with you2"
"SettliDg2 don't understand"
Don't you suppose he owes yor
money!"
what for2"
"Why-he's your guardian; or was
Hasn't he ever said anything TO you
about the state Of your account, OF
given you any money!"
Never What do you mean9"
THE old shark He's trying TO
swindlo you, as he has some other
orphans."
As soon Us the landlords indiRna-
ton had cooled, he gave me an ex-
PLANTATION that surprised me. lie said
that the mortgage on which my IN ther's
faim was sold was small In amount,
and that the farm sold we'll There
vas surplus, which had been paid in
20 the hands of Deacon IIalleclt, as my
guardian.
Tom Brough, the lawyers clerk.
vas here last night, talking about IL.
10 says that, with n liberal allow
nee for your board and for guardians
'ees, the deacon ought 10 have five
hundred dollars for YOU"
Give hundred dollarsi" I faltered.
"liow am 10 get it9"
"Ah-there is the troubled suppose
Tom Brough has no business TO blab
the secrets of the office; but when he
has glass In, he'll tell me anything.
lie says that Deacon IIalleclt has mnde
great deal Of money out of estates,
and defrnudcd many widows and or
phnus, by large bills, delays and all
kinds OF law-obstacles lie saws TINT
Is Just what will happen TO you. No
matter, Dorr; I'll stand by you. IN
get some lawyer or other TO take your
case, and you can stay with me till it's
decided"
| sat pondering on this revelation.
"It'll take time" said.
"Yes-of course"
And perhaps the deacon might make
II appear that he don't owe me any
thing"
Hes capable of swearing TO any
thing; and you'll have TO take your
chances with him, of course. But I'd
follow him up"
huencei I'm nobody" l said. continu-
ing to pile up the obstacles.
You have friends, tell you'll Just
take my advicei"
THANK you, Mart, l believe I'll try
another way first"
"What wayP"
sudden inspiration had seized me.
81 can't tell you; it's between the
deacon and me- I'm going right buck
10 see him."
IL was not more than an hour from
the time that left the home OF my late
guardian when entered IL ,nRain.
There was little den off the dining
room where deacon kept a desk, the
pigeon-holes OF which were filed with
his notes, leases and mortgages. l
knew his habits, and relied upon find
Ing him here at that hour. lie looked up
from some accounts that he was porting
over, and scowled rs he saw me.
What brings you back here9" he do
manded.
II was In too great hurry TO leave,
just now. I've como back TO have a
settlement with you"
He turned sharply, and faced me.
What do you meanp"
u want you TO account TO me us nv
late guardian. It's my belief that
there's as much as Ave hundred dollars
coming TO me-"
A contemptuous smile curled his thin
lips
You're getting along famously, in
deedl What other gossip have YOU
heard over at the tavernp"
VIII You settle with me2"
Look here-you impertinent jaclsa-
'apesl There is nothing 70 settle. The
very small amount Of money that
;ame TO me for you after the sale of
he farm has been more than consumed
~ my charges for board, washing and
care You owe me money yousrelf."
II shall put my claim In the hands
4 o lawyer"
go ahead" he said, defiantly.
We'll, Deacon lIalleck-thats the
md of Tat business, for the present.
toun hear from my lawyer In due
line. There's something else want
% talk about"
He turned his back upon me, and
busted himself again at his desk.
Your barn was burned last Decem-
ber."
He wheeled his chair sharply about
"What Of thatP"
II know who set IL aflre."
''You dop"
''Yes"
His defiant manner was gone; the
wrinkles of his face quivered and he
had hard work TO return my steady
look.
We'll" and then came pause.
"Who did itP"
"You did H."
He jumped up, strobe TO and fro,