The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-10-11
CHAPTER Xxx.

Dan Bast-or the man who had been
known as Dan Bash-looked at Hank
Dawson strangely. He seemed to be re-
volving something in his mind. Then he
said, very deliberately: :;
Sheriff, I am ready to go with you!'
aDan! DAM"
Club looked at him appealingly.
@But before I CO." said Dan, quietly,
@let me take you into my confidence"
II don't want you to tell me anything.
don't want to know nothing about this
miserable business" said the Sheriff.
"I'd rather than fifty dollars! would,
plum sock out of my pocket, than see a
young fellow as handsome and as smart
and with such ways as yours"
"Well?" said Dan. looking at him so
berry.
"Get mixed up with these blamed
coInterfeiters. Don't you tell me moth
ing. If they prove it on you, they shan't
do it by memo, sir. That amt Tom
Walkers style. I'll execute the law, but
blamed if III furnish the proof" 80
II like to hear you say SO, Mr. Walker.
But.what I was going to say is just the
opposite OF what you imagine"
Hank Dawson lifted his head at that
aThe very opposite. To begin with
my name is very good name. 1t is
Ross. Ny people are very respectable
people. My father is as well known as
any man n the State, And he is very
we'll known in other States, too. And in
Washington.
A peculiar smile played around his
mouth now as he glanced at Hank Daw-
son.
"Your name may be Ross, ana your
folks tirst-class, but you was going to
marry my daughter as Dan Bash. How
do you make that gee with respc eta
bility?"
Hank spoke sorrowfully. He could
! not speak harshly to the young man.
81 had not the least intention to marry
your daughter under tho namo of Dan
Bash"
"No?"
The Sheriff stared at him.
at never once entered my mind"
"No?"
| Hank Dawson began to arouse him
self now Hc shook his shoulders,
Strengthened. out his arms, brought his
hands together again, and looking from
one to the other said, slowly:
This is getting too much mixed up
for me-"
! "P'raps you'll make it clearer for US
J all, said the Sheriff, politely
! "In good time. I Intended rcscrv1ng
q surprise until tho minister was ready
to marry u.s. Had been permitted TO
reach the house in time would have
said to all the company what am now
going to say to you. l am not Dan
Bash. That name was assumed-it is
the name Of another, who is indebted
largely to my father for his position in
the world. And it was assumed with
the knowledge and consent of the real
Dan Bash-the detective"
II knew you were true, Dan"
Club stole to his side and put her
hand on his sound arm.
II would have told the company tn at
my father represented his district in
Congress four terms in succession.
That he has represented the nation
abroad. That he is abroad now"
"What!" exclaimed the Sheriff. "You
don't tell me you are son of the Hon.
Dan Ross, do you?"
Il am"
"What!" -.
Hank Dawson peered in Ross face
eagerly.
"You a son of Dan Ross"
ais there anything wonderful In that
or strange or Startling?"
swell, but coming up here in the
Notwithstanding all your fine folks
behind you-starting out for a school
Blamed if it amt too much for me to
grasp just at once. Give me a little
time" said Hank Dawson, in q dazed
way, ,G-