Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-07-21

" RhH 80
the almost lifeless form of his brother.
who now alone stood between him n
the Deanshurst succession. and quietly
withdrew, leaving his mother TO share
the nurses vigil.
s.Rowan saws that even Ii he recov-
ers bis intellect will never again be
sound" he muttered. Better. surely,
for him to die than live 10 be semi
idiot or worse.... -. Well. what is Ii,
SAUNDERS
"A boy brought this, to be given 70
no one but you. yourself, sir replied
the servant, displaying a soiled. crump-
led envelope. Hes waiting an an
swer, SIR
Stephen took the proffered m~issiye,
which was addressed to Mister Steve
Dean" in very bucolic handwriting,
and read the contents. In uneouth,
scarcely Ineligible terms, which need
not here be reproduced. his unknown
correspondent earnestly besought him
TO accompany the messenger. He would
learn something of very great import
ance relating to the young squire's
death. The scrawl vas unsigned-a
precaution. probably, ia case 1t should
be intercepted.
Tell the boy to wait" he said 10 the
servant. He instantly OWNED that the
information offered to him had some
reference to the yOkel footmarks dis
covered by Ashcroft. and he h~alf-antic-
ipated an attempt TO blackmail him.
Well. he must first ascertain the exact
extent of the peril thus foreshadowed.
AS for the Matchmaking, a very evil
CLEAN shone in Stephen Deane's eyes
as he thought of that; a CLEAN that
BODIED little OF good to the would-be
blackmailer.
He found the boy awaiting him in
the
"Who sent you with this letter." he
demanded, sternly.
"A mon.' replied the urchin, cycling
him furtively.
Il know that" rejoined Stephen.
"What is his name:''
"Ain't IL wrote down in IS letter?'
was the counter-query.
"NO, you young blockhead. ii is not"
'Then OF doan't know. measter."
"Do you know where he lives. them
"Noa. measter, Oh doan't know moth
in. 'cept the way TO Bramham Woods,
whur he be waitin' for you"
The youthful yokel was clearly not
to be drawn.
60 on in 'front.' commanded Ste
phen. angrily. Keep just in sight:
you understand"
AYE. measter. Oim fly" grinned the
lad. starting off at a brisk pace. which
he subsequently accommodated TO Ste
phen's. with commendable Judgment.
He led the way to a secluded spot in
H., - rN a xx,nA1u r.lNAsn 81 Alnrt
thick-set man of the ordinary pumpkins
type. awaited his return with nervous
Impotence.
"Sarvant, sir said the latter. adj
vancing, cap in hand, towards Ste
phen.
."Did you send me thisg' INQUIRED
the lawyer, producing the crumpled let
ter.
ITO be sure, sir"
''Then what communication have you
to make TO me- Who and what are
you?'
MY name be Brann. sir. and I'm a
farmland by CALM" was the reply,
jerkily given. "Wot I've got TO say
amt much, but there be- a deahin il. or
I'm the more mistook. It's just loike
this. sir: Sam Ashcroft has took it into
his head that | know summat anent
the shootin' o. the young squire, an he
threatens he'll lag me yet over the
business. He's a rare spiteful one. is
sam. when he has a down on a chap.
an he hates me same as rabbits hates
weazles, drat 'unr'
What have I to do with all thisp'
demanded stephen. impatiently. "Do
you know anything about the circum-
stances attending my cousins deathg'
mo. sir. I don't, so help me Heaven
affirmed Brann. earnestly.
Then rem rked stephen. drawing
a deep breath of relief, ''you need not
trouble yourself about Ashcroft and
his suspicious"
.Ah, but that amt all..' persisted
Brann, shaking his head, emphatically.
'Tll teel zee all about it, If so be rel
let me do 1t in my own way"
go on" ~assented Stephen. seating
himself upon a fallen tree and lighting
n cigar. I'm listening
Thus encouraged, Brann told his
story. He had heard the fatal shot
fired but at II considerable distance,
and 1t was some time before he Glanced
upon the open space where the two
bodies lay. Having satisfied himself
that both gentlemen were dead, his
first impulse was to hasten To Deans
hurst with tine CHASTITY tidings.
''Why didn't your inquired stephen,
fairly puzzled ut the mans drift, aud
with a revived sense Of uneaslness.
Zoos / was afeared to- was the re-
ply. IF you wasn't a stranger down
in these parts, you know as how I'm
better known as Luke the Poacher'
than as Luke Brann. and that | got in
to trouble years ago men the shcotin'
of a keeper in this very wood. ] hadn't
nothin' to do with it. and had four wit
nesses to prove the alibi. but got five
years hard, for all that. Who'd have
believed my story il I'd gone and told
as how I'd found they two gents allyn
dead. an knowed no more about it?
Loike as not, Id ha' swung for it my
SELF
A poacher and a convict. Exactly
the sort of ruffian upon whom susDi-
cion would most naturally fall, and
whom a jury would most readily con-
Wet, Surprising his story tc be true.
his unwillingness TO come forward as a
witness was easily understood.
quite possible you would" assented
Stephen. deliberately. Indeed, if this
gamekeeper enemy of yours can prove
as much against on as you have just
admitted to me, l think you stand n