The Holly chieftain., 1898-07-08
ACLEW BY WIRE
q. ~ laterspted cx,esa.
BY HOWARD II. Y0ST.
Copyright, 1896. by J. 3. LIppineoH Co.
CHAPTER vI.-coNrrNuEp.

l. ne remainder Oh Tue forenoon wHS
spent in going through the barns and
over the farm.
A small structure, twenty or thirty
feet from the house, had been used to
do the cooking. baking, churning.
washing and ironing in. We could not
gain access to the cooking house, as it
had been called, the door being locked.
There had been no care taken of this
place. and Icould hardly see through the
dust and dirt which obscured the win
dows, when attempted to look inside.
There is nothing to be seen in there,
anyhow" / said. But I remembered
the pile of cakes and the loaves Of bread
which had issued from the old Dutch
oven built in one side Of the cook
house. How wish for some of the
good things nowl
After midday dinner. I harnessed
the horse in the buggy. According TO
my instructions, my agent had provided
me with single rig, and now pro-
posed to use it to drive Sarah home and
then keep on down the road, past Sid
ington Station, across the river to
Twineburgh, in which place Mr.. Sonn-
tag. my lawyer, resided.
had never seen Mr.. Sonntag. Nv
former agent Ind died nearly year
ago. and six months after his death
Sonntag had bought the law business
from the heirs.
I had been advised Of this fact by
circular letter from the present incum-
bent, giving references as to ability,
honesty, etc. Mr.. Sonntng had also re-
quested me to allow him to assume
management Of my small estate. As
Mr.. Perry, the president of the bank,
was down among the names of refer
ence, was most willing to grant Mr..
Sonntag's request, and wrote him to
that effect.
On the way to Sarah's house un-
bosomed myself to the good old soul.
told her of my hopes regarding Flor
encc, and my fears that those hopes
would never be realized.
Zach. yes," answered Sarah, "you will
marry her some day. Just see how
you've been brought both to de same
place togedder. And know she lofes
you."
"You are more certain than am of
that" answered, somewhat gloomily
II have told you everything about my
self, because l have no mother to con-
fide in; and you will no more violate
my confidence than a mother would;
of that am certain"
"Ach, Mel! I got no leetle vons OF
mine own," she answered, with trem-
bling voice. There were tears in her
eyes. too. when she said: ST would do as
much for you as mudder; guess l
would, Mel"
Her love was grateful to me, or
phaned as had been for many years,
and for the last year without friend
to console or advise me.
"Bud you vas foolish, Mel, to say you
not see her undil you fint de robbers" I"
Sarah went on-"foolish Of you. and
hart for her, too. bet you she haf
lots of heartache."
what else could I do, though, in
honor?" exclaimed.
well, you are innocent, and she lofes
you, and knows, too, dat you didn't
rob de bank. So den it would be no dis
honor to drust her lofs and be happy
in i'd"
Sarah's logic found an echo in my
heart. Perhaps it was unjust to Flor
cnce's love not to ask her to share my
burden. / knew, II could share any
sorrow or trouble Of hers, how happy
I would be.
We soon reached Sarah's house, and I
reined up to allow her to alight. Then
continued on my way.
Twineburgh was about two miles
across the valley beyond Sidington. 1t
was lively little place, of about 1000
inhabitants. One Of the great trunk
lines of railroad ran through the town.
The road to Twineburgh crossed the
track at Sidington station, near the
depot.
AS refined up my horse to walk
and glanced up and down the track
before crossing, saw the station agent
standing on the edge OF the platform.
nodded to the fellow and he an
swered with grin. Then, as he slowly
came toward me. I stopped the horse
and waited.
You took the trunk, didn't you?" he
asked.
"Mr. Hunsicker came for It," re-
Piled.
II saw the trunk was gone when !
came back" he said, in his numbering
fashion. Ibid Jake take you over to
Nelsonville?"
"Yes. 1 am much obliged to you for
directing me to him." said, shortly.
II thought mebbe he would"
Having said this, he shifted his
weight to the other foot. I patiently
waited. "a
mice country around Neisonyille,"
he finally went on. .'Some of the city
folks beginning to find it out and go
there for the summer. Mr.. Morley's
been there six months now. Know Mr.
Morley?"
Il am slightly acquainted with him."
I replied.
'sThen there's another Teller comes up
from the city. Let's see-what's his
name, now7 He's got q little hut mile
or 30 from here, and comes up to hunt
and fish. Guess he don't shoot very
much. / never see him take any game
back to town with him. Oh, yes, now !
remember. His names jackson"
l started in surprise and became a
little more interested.
"what7 Not Horace Jackson% I
asked.
eyes, that's his name. Acquainted
with him?"
Il used to know Mr., jackson quite