Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-14
Christian eriina
A Thrilling Romance OF
Land and Sea-.
BY ARRAH LEIGH.
CHAPTER vII-Continuo,l.

CHAPTER vII-Continued.
Again, against her mothers wishes,
to town, where she, at this period, was
living.
1t needed no second glance into his
mothers face for Kenneth to know she
was out of humor, and he seated himself
in silence at the table.
You are late. said Mrs. Byrne. Then
she shook her head severely. Il want no
excuses" she added, in tone that
her sons knew too we'll 10 disobey.
Grace WAS said. Mrs. Byrne being very
punctilious with regard to keeping up ev-
cry religious form.
The meal was eaten in silence, after
which the servants were called in, and
Mrs. Byrne moved with dignity to a small
desk, and, taking up Bible, read aloud
a chapter and the family prayers.
Kenneth did not move from his seat at
the table.
Griffith prayed aud,bly, and smothered
a y0wn in secret.
gentlemen were about to leave the room,
as their mother stopped them, by saying:
One moment Kenneth, I do not wish
you to invite those young men who came
home with You last night to visit here
again. I ha,e my reasons"
Kenneth smiled as he regarded her.
Il did not invite them, he said
1t was the truth; Griffith did, but he did
not say so.
1T makes no difference, you let them
come; see it does not happen again, and
now sit down at my desk and make ont
this account. You are quicker at figures
than Griffith. l am going to discharge
gave me back only three quarters of the
grain he carried to the mill last fall. I
shall pay him to the cent, then discharge
him, worthless rogue!"
1T is his first otfense, aud he is very
poor, with large family to support"
murmured Kenneth, slowly dipping his
pen in the ink, as if reluctant to COM
mence the task.
How dare you judge my actions, sir?
You--you who turned my house into
gambling den last night. All, heard
you betting, and Griffith, tool"
"Oh, mother, how can you believe such
a thing of me?" cried Griffith, hypocrit-
We'll, may have been mistaken; but
I thought l heard you say you had lost
five hundred dollars. Was it'you, Ken
neth?"
-Of course, satirically responded Ken
meth. Nov there is no use maxim a
fuss about it, mother; the deed is done.
Yes; and if it is done in my house
again. you'll never enter its doors. Now
90 on and finish that account" she said.
sternly.
1T is finished, he declared, after few
minutes silence. You owe Glenning
two hundred and fifty dollars"
We'll, come up and open the safe, and
I'll get the money I suppose you want
some, too, although you have not asked
for it.
Kenneth did not smile. For the first
tinse in his life it struck him that it was
contemplate for him to allow himself to
exist on o woman's charity-that Olga
would think SO.
His contemptuous eyes CHANGED to fall
on Grifith's face at this moment, and he
was surprised at his brothers deathly
pallor.
As he was about to ask if he felt ill,
Griffith followed his mother up stairs, in
the hall, where her large iron safe was
standing.
Only about twice year was it opened,
to put in money from the receipts of the
crops and stow away receipted bills, and
to take out money for OUTLAWS on the
farm and household expenses.
The kew lay hidden under loose piece
of carpet, only Mrs. Byrne and her sons
knowing of its hiding place..
Kenneth lit was strange fact, but his
herr took it up and opened the massive
door.
Mrs. Byrne leaned down and brought
out q roll of bank notes. Seating herself
on the chair n ear her. she-being WON an
of little education counting
them aloud.
Again Kenneth noticed q peculiar ex-
preston in Grifith's face.
Suddenly Mrs. Byrne rose up.
Kenneth" she gasped, count that!"
Kenneth turned almost as white as she
was. His hand shook as he carefully
counted the bills.
There are just seven hundred and fifty
dollars here, he said, in frightened
tone.
.And there should be twelve hundred
and fifty! Oh, Kenneth, Kenneth! what
am to think" she muttered, in an agon-
what do you mean2 Mother, you
cannot suspect me9" He spoke as if
shocked.
.Oh, mother. don't suspect poor Ken
meth" said Grihath, quickly; but his
mother pushed him aside.
THE keys hiding place was only known
70 M three. One o1 us is the thief. 1t
lies between you two. Which OF You am
/ to turn from my doors q criminaif An
swer; for I will know the guilty ono.
"Oh, mother, how can you suspect
either of usr Are We not your. .sons9'
questioned Grifiith.
Eyes: but you shall be nothing to me
IL you both are guilty. Oh. vhst have
done that my children should curse M