The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-08
Stories of an Inland State.

that Joey had worn the suit away inno-
Gently. plausible Then it came to him
suddenly that Joey had beaten him at the
game; that Joey had overheard him and
| the thief the night before. had watched his
opportunity, and made away with the gems
| while decoy.ng him with the story that
| there were detectives IN the neighborhood
| Strangely enough he entertained this
Joey was a fugitive from the law for some
| misdeed or he would not have been always
secretive. More outlawry. he unused tc
himself bitterly.
But he started out to fiad Madge. She
| had not gone far.
rs he gomez John Wright asked trying
| to suppress any teIi-taIe emphasis which
might reveal his excitement and concern.
YES"
Did he come in and get my Sunday
suit?'
mo"
John wright's hands jerked nervously-
II took it," said Madge. "He had to get
away. He had to travel and he had on
nothing but an old coat and overais.
slipped in and took that suit of yours and
gave it to him and he put 1t on and galloped
away
MY God, Madge," cried the farmer grasp
ing her about the waist and kissing her.
| What darling you are.''
She did not understand this outburst and
backed away from him with vague sus-
picion that he was crazy.
"You are so thoughtful, Madge Barrett
he SAID. Il am glad that you thought OF
IL. 1t will make him more comfortable
and presentabIe. 9Iadge, do you know If
I was thinking of marrying I would take
you--if could get YOU"
She looked at him blankly.
THAT 1 would, Madge. You're so con-
siderate."
She did not change her expression. She
could not fathom the farmers manner to-
| ward her and she felt he was concealing
something.
What did Joey do?"
81 don't know"
"Honest?"
Honest I knew he wasn't a farmer
| when hired him. He was away UP in the
| world when he came here and he never
talked about himself. 1t didn't surprise
me when 1 heard you bring that message
from him this afternoon.
do you suppose it was MURDER" she
asked.
Ordinarily he would have answered in
the negative. But the world had changed
now and he believed even Joey capable of
murder. He was taking his time with a
purpose. He said, thinking rapidly, but
talking slowly:
"Madge I'm going a-field to get some hay
on the rack and take load to town. If
those detectives call, you send out there. "
With that he walked away. joey had not
stolen the Jewels. Msdge had given him
the coat and the bag was still in the pocket
of the coat. He would discover II but
would not know what to do with II and
would hold it; he would not communicate
with the authorities at least. and it was too
rich a haul to dispose Of. It was now
three o'clock in the afternoon. The train
through Stogs Center did not leave until
ten o'clock at night. joey was going to
Stogs Center for he had promised to leave
the old mare there for John Wright felt a
great trust in JOey's promise, much as he
distrusced mankind. 1t was possible for
him to make a show Of taking a load Of
hay to town and to reach town tn time to
intercept Joey. He would have rushed out
in fierce pursuit but he was afraid he would
be seen by the detectives.
He loaded the hay on the great rack and
started into town. The detectives had not
called. Afterward he learned they had
N,
asked Peter Wattles' opinion as to which
way the thief had probably gone and sus-
pic'ously taking the reverse of his express
ed belief. The detectives were after Dick
Thomas.
Opin;ng some such pursuit or rather act
ing ON intutitive impulse of instructive safe
ty perhaps too, for the purpose Of watching
his new confederate, Dick Thomas, after
he fn- of I.l
Wright had turned lack to Stogs Center
instead Of going on to Fairviev as he had
told John Wright and Peter Wattles he
would 60
After Joey went John Wright, confident
nov that he would get his jewels. He was
not n sight Of Stoas Center when tie twi-
light came and when the lights of the
town began To Dodge out from behind the
hills some enc on the roadside acccsted
the old IA nler. He knew the voice at
once. His memory would never lose it.
The man on the road asked to ride and
was drawn on top the hay.
Once there he threw up his hands with
laugh and said:
Still hauling hayi With that other in
sight I'd sell the farm or mortgage it at
least, and quit this hard work.
II suppose" said Farmer Wright. THAT
you believed me when 1 told you-that I
would be honest with you," accenting the
last word.
Yes, 1 am convinced Of that"
Could I prove it to you now?''
That isn't necessary at ALL
But 1 will-the gems have passed out Of
my hands"
The face of Dick Thomas drew muscular
~ until he looked like a ghost.
My God" he said. ''What-you
haven't -
Not sold them. No; not yet; nor have
they been stolen from me-
John Wright then told him Of Joey's
strange departure-every thing.
The thief swore an awful oath. you
have been robbed. man." he said 81
was a fool TO take farmer into it-a fool,
a damned fool. You have been robbed
Can't you see il. numskun?''
Hold your temper" cried Wright warm
:ns under the attack. Wen set the Jewels
back"
Yes. you'll get 'er1-like-but can't you
see it, That man 10 pursued himself. He
is an outlaw too Those Jewels are heavy
He's discovered the bag before this-and
you'll never see him again"
Joey is honest" cried Wright as though
unwilling to have him rest under an imputa-
ton
Honest" gasped the thief You are
peach, Nobody would be honest with that
bag in his hands. Well. that's gone
You will find he is honest, I tell YOU"
cried John Wright. II know him.
Blu: suppose he changes his mind as you
did last n.ght?' asked the thief.
The sally cut the old farmer deeply and
he said nothing.
They agreed to meet At the depo: that
igilt. John Wright walked over the town.
found his horse had been left at Jones'
but could not find Joey He was in a great