Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-30
The OLD SILVER TRAIL.
BY MARY E. STICKNEY.
copyright 1896. by J. B. Lippinoots Col
CHAPTER x.

CHAPTER X.
The case of Neil VS.. Meredith was
docketed for the opening of court in the
morning; but unfinished business
brought over from the day before prom
ised some delay, not a little to the re-
lief of Donald Bartels, whose client was
unaccountably missing at the appoint
ed hour. Brigham had also failed to
appear, as well as the other witnesses
whom Neil had promised; but this,
yeXatious as it was, could not rouse the
same edegree of surprise and concern
as did the detection of Neil himself.
An ugly suspicion had crept into the
lawyers mind, to be dismissed at first
as hardly tenab1e, but insidiously grow
ing into conviction as he furtively eyed
the Grubstalke people grouped together
at the other side of the room. Did Neil's
nonappearance, no less than that of
the others, mean some devi1try of their
contriving?
Col. Meredith sat unconcernedly read
ing morning paper, his chair some
what withdrawn from his neighbors.
The colonel generally was distinguished
by this little air of aloofness; rarely
was he to be seen in any attitude of
friendly hobnobbing with anybody. 1t
seemed a part of his natural reserve
of character, no less than the outgrowth
of his profound indifference toward all
humankind, that for his comfort he
must demand the widest possible al
lotment of elbow room. At a respect
full distance from his employer, whose
impressive nonchalance he seemed I'M
successfully trying to initiate, sat the
Of "a q
dressing whispered remarks to the at
torney who had come up from Den
YER to appear for the defendant in the
case. This last gentleman, eminent for
his skill in handling criminal cases of
more or less shady character, enjoyed
almost a greater measure of fame in
certain circles for his zeal in the work
of the Sunday school. Donald Bartels
regarded him as an arrant sneak and
hypocrite, desPising him no more for
the shyster methods he felt warranted
in crediting to him than for the cloak
of sanctimony he assumed for their dis
guise. Keen dislike for the man and
desire to down him on general prin-
ciples had added peculiar zest to the
present encounter, which proportionate-
ly enhanced Bartels' evaporation at
outset by lack of both client and wit
nesses.
The great clock high up on the wall
at one side of the room marked the
hour of ten, and Harvey Neil was still
derelict. The case before the court was
plainly drawing to close. The witness
in the chair was the last to be heard,
and the judge was furtively lingering
he Il n
livering his charge to the jury. 1t hap
pened that Carlton, Bartels' partner,
was attorney for the defendant in that
case, and before this the unhappy attor-
ney had hastily scrubbed a note eX-
planning his plight, and begging that
Carlton would consume all the time
possible in his closing speech to the
jury. Their only hope now lay in de-
laying the hearing of the Nlascot-Grub-
stake case until the plaintiff should be
heard from.
\ clerk, who had been below anxious
~ looking out for the absentees, slipped
into the chair at Barteis' side. Looks
mighty queer he superfuously OBJ
served. Il have sent men to look them
all up; but there's hardly chance in
thousand of getting them here on time
ISN, w Hdl ~ pC OOAC.
I'VE must demand continuance,
suppose: though Heaven knows what
good it will do returned Bartels, i'm
patiently. Who went after Neil?''
Martin, from Young's corral. You
know how he can ride, and told him he
must just hit the high places this time.
But what on earth can it mean?''
Mr.. Criley, the Denver attorney, was
crossing the room with Il deprecating
tiptoe tread, STOPPING u little. as though
in excess of meekness. He had given
Bartels ceremonious greeting earlier in
the day; but now he came with more
scciable intention. the smile that
twisted his thin lips producing curl
Gus effect of whining ugliness upon his
cadaverous. smoothly-shaven face.
1T rather looks as though there
might be 4 chance for US presently" he
observed, clasping his bioodless hands
together in q gesture, which. for some
reason not altogether clear. seems to be
rather commonly cultivated by orators
accustomed to address themselves to
Sunday school audiences. You fell
lows up here III the country are in great
luck, let me tell you,'' he went on in a
y Inning whisper. I'm all our Denver
courts we are away behind with our
eases and losing ali the time. It is
rafher the worst in La Rue's Just now:
hs|aas been hearing divorce cases right