Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-09-16
CHAPTER XXI.
HUGH GORDON VISITS KENDALL.

OQ the evening OctODer hoTDeTI
and Fannie were over at Orton, and Aunt
Mag was seated on the door before the
library fire "a favorite position of hers
when left alone) awaiting the return of
her master. Suddenly she exclaimed:
Il can't z'actly see the way clar, but
if the worst do come, marster, this yere
knife is just as sharp as the one what
Neber mind, Mag won't fail, honey.
Clara Hill shall neber be his wife,
Mag done swore it, but I wonder what
is become of that man what prom
ised to tend to the balance: pears he
desert, and there amt no one for Mag
to suit about it"
While Aunt Mag was thus commun-
ing with herself, there came a knock
at the door.
81 wonder now who is that; it must
be Reynolds" and Aunt Mag arose to her
feet, and went to the door; she opened
it. The man who entered was Hugh
Gorden, the man whom Margaret
Bruce had said would tend to the bal
ance.
Il know you're alone, Aunt Mag"
he said, for 1 saw your master and
mistress ride away. Poor girl, it was
terrible to see her riding by with her
fathers murderer-but can I come in?
VIII we be uninterrupted for half
hour?''
Dress de Lawd you's come, Dlarster.
I was getting skeered you had left Mag
to do her work alone, but marster, it
would be done in time" and Mag drew
from the folds of her dress knife.
Not that, Aunt Mag, not that; why,
woman, they would hang you for MUIR
der; let the law deal with Herbert
Lathrop;' in that way alone can the foul
stain be- lifted from the name of Angus
Bruce"
Its ole marster's murderer tha: /
Bruce, il he's cleared of that, he's still
Black Beard, and pirate-it can't help
him.
Zone thing at a time, Mag, one thing
at a time. Let Black Beard look out for
himself"
why, that's what Angus mother
says, but come this way, marst"r," and
when they were seated in the library,
with locked doors, she added, mo one
won't 'sturb us here"
Now, Aunt Mag, how can it be ar
ranged, that l and some one else-who
/ do not yet know-can be within hear
ing distance of the conversation he
tween you and your master in which you
Will try and cause him to make admis-
sions of his guilt?''
Il won't only try, but I'll make him
do it,"
But where will the conversation take
place, and where will we be secreted?"
III make marster 'fess right in this
very room. How many of you will be
here to hear him?'
But two, think; that will be quite
sufficient"
why one of you might lay under
that lounge, and tother one"
What's in that bookcase, Mag? There
where the glass is broken out, the cur
tain pulled aside?"
why, books"
Gould not the books be removed? a
man might then stand there and hear
and see all. That would be the very
place"
Yes, marster, I can fix it,"
'sNow, Mag, for theetime."
When marster's been up to Wilmiag-
ton, and comes back at night is the best
time. You see, when he goes up there,
it makes him drink more than he does
| here at Kendall, then when he comes
home, he drinks more yet. and at night
after Miss Fannie has gone to bed. ]
| brings him his hot Scotch. and you see
/ spec he sleeps sounder arter it; so
| then's the time"
But are You sure your master will 60
| to Wilmington before the marriage
takes place."
Eyes, hear him say he bleeged to &c
next Monday"
Lets see; tomorrow will be Friday
the 9Th; Monday will be the 9TH Short
time, just night before the ceremonie.
are to take place, but yet there is time
enough. Well. Aunt Mag, I shall prob
ably not leave this neighborhood, ane
will try to see you again on Monday