Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-04-19

An-lnere Is the trouble! suppose
Tom Brough has no business to blab
the secrets of the office; but when he
has glass in, he'll tell me anything
He says that Deacon Hal1eck has made
great deal of money out of estates,
and defrauded many widows and or
phans, by large bills, delays and all
kinds of law-obstacles. He says that
is just what will happen to you. No
matter, Dorr; I'll stand by you. I'll
get some lawyer or other to take your
case, and you can stay with me till it's
decided"
sat bordering on this revelation.
'It'n take time" said.
"Yes-of course
"And perhaps the deacon might make
it 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 upe'
fuence; I'm nobody l said, continu-
ing to pile up the obstacles.
''You have friends, 1 tell you! Just
take my advice!''
''Thank you, Mart, believe I'll try
another way first"
''What way?"
A sudden inspiration had seized me.
81 can't tell you; it's between the
deacon and me; I'm going right back
to see him.
1t was not more than an hour from
the time that left the home of my late
guardian when I entered it again.
There was a little den off the dining
room where deacon kept desk, the
pigeon-holes of which were filed with
his notes, leases and mortgages. 1
knew his habits, and relied upon find
ing him here at that hour. He looked up
from some accounts that he was porting
over, and scowled as he saw me.
what brings you back here?" he de-
manded.
81 was in toegreat a hurry to leave,
just now. I've Come back to have
settlement with you"
He turned sharply, and faced me.
What do you mean?"
81 want you to account to me as my
late guardian. It's my belief that
there's as much as five hundred dollars
coming to me-
A contemptuous smile curled his thin
lips.
1Ou iC ciAOAS III
deed! What other gossip have you
heard over at the tavern?"
''Will you settle with me?''
''Look here-you impertinent jacl1a-
napes! There is nothing to settle. The
very small amount of money that
came to me for you after the sale of
the farm has been more than consumed
by my charges for board, washing and
81 shall put my claim in the hands
of lawyer
$50 ahead" he said, defanSly.
''Wen, Deacon Halleck-that's the
end of that business, for the present.
You'll hear from my lawyer in due
time. There's something else 1 want
to talk about
He turned his back upon me, and
busted himself again at his desk.
your barn was burned last Deem
ber."
He wheeled his chair sharply about
''What of that?''
81 know who set it afre."
"You do?"
eyes"
His defiant manner was gone; the
wrinkles of his face quivered and he
had hard work to return my steady
look.
''Well-" and then came a pause.
"Who did it2''
''Y0u did it,
He jumped up, strobe to and fro,
shook his fist at me and poured out a
torrent of words.
''You rascally young liar! What do
you mean, coming here and insulting
me with such ridiculous story? Do
you suppose you can blackmail meme
in this way? I'll have you arrested
-I'll-"
Els wrath, and his fears, too, as his
face plainly showed, hoked his words
quietly took a chair.
I'D advise you to take it cool, siri
You'll remember we've done talking
about my claim; we are on another
subject now. l merely say to you that
1 have the evidence that you burned
your own property to realize a large
insurance on it. 1 shall go from here
to magistrate and make complaint.
If you know of any reason why 1 should
not you had bet fer state it,
He sat down AID stared hard at me.
He tried hard toSconcea1 his thoughts;
but 1 saw plainly that his mind was
hd1t1I3 CClWSSh 1cetI O1uStCI'
"Preposterous!'' he muttered.
1 said nothing.
"Who do you expect to believe this
silly story?'
Il refuse to discuss that. It will be
time to talk about that when my proofs
are presented"
What are your proofs?''
you'll know in due time"
He hesitated, then said, with an eff
fort:
''You haven't any proof. I'll talk
with you no more about it."
thought the game was lost, but I
resolved to play it to the end
Very WE'LL said You defy me
20 make criminal complaint against
you. will do it at once"
1 turned and walked out of the
house. A window was raised, and
heard the deacon's voice calling me
back.
had triumphedi
When was again alone with him he
locked the door.
This is all very absurd and foolish, -
he said. ''Of course never set fire to
my barn. and if you know anything