The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-01-14


ing through the woods on the plateau
toward the Pocket.
When they came out upon the crag
from which Thorndyke had first looked
down into the narrow valley. they saw
Kilgrow working in the field below. and
Duncan summoned him by shrlll
whistle. Thirty minutes later. the old
mountaineer joined them on the cliff, and
Duncan laid before him plan which
Philip had outlined. 1t was a proposal
that they should try to bring about set
Element of the claim by moral suasion
before proceeding to eXtremities;
and Kilgrow's presence at the confer
ence would be necessary, since he would
have to execute quit-claim in case
Sharpless and Fench came to terms: As
Duncan had foretold. the old man re-
fused, positively and definitely: he
could not be persuaded to trust himself
in Allacoochee, and all the assurances
of protection that Philip could give him
went for nothing.
Then there is only one other thing
to do said Philip. when he had eX-
hausted his eloquence in the effort to
convince Kilgrow that no harm should
come to him; you'll have to give me
the power of attorney to sign deed for
YOU. Where is the nearest notary out
side of Allacoochee. Mr. Duncan?"
Duncan caressed his stubbly chin and
considered. There's auld Judge Garry.
down at Glenco," he suggested
''How far is that from here?
~ mil OF
round by the valley pike. but I'm think
in it's no that far across the mountain.
How is that, Johnnie. man? p
81 reckon hit amt more'n ten mile
th'oo the gulch.''
Thorndyke looked at his watch. are
you good for the tramp. Mr.. Duncan?
I'll need a witness"
Duncan signified his Willingness TO
go. but it was with great difficulty that
they persuaded the old mountaineer 10
trust himself within sight of the rail
way. When he finally yielded, they
took up the lire of march to the south
ward, with Kilgrow leading the way.
After threading the forest of the
plateau for three hours or more, they
began to descend into a deep ravine,
and Philip heard the murmur of run
ming water long before they came in
sight of the swift stream gurgling
through leafy tunnel at the bottom of
the gorge. They stopped at the margin of
the brook while Thorndyke got drink.
"Your mountain miles are good
measure. Mr.. Kilgrow," he said, tax
ing out his watch again. How much
farther is it 2"
The old man lifted his hat and
scratched his head reflectively with one
finger. 81 reckon hit mought be bout
two sights an horn-blow f'om yere.''
Philip laughed and turned to Dun
can: I'm afraid you'll have to trans
late that for me-"
yell be none the wiser when I do
iva sights-that's as far as We can see,
an then as far as We can see beyon'
that; an a horn-blow-that's as far as
We can hear the scrawin' O. 4 coos horn
frae the far end O. the second sight
D. We ken the noo?''
Perfectly" said Philip. 81 hope
we'll get there before dark"
They did, but it was afternoon when
they came to the end of the third di-
vision of distance and saw the scattered
houses of the little village on the rail-
way. Judge Garry's house was pointed
out by a passing teamster, and Philip
going in for information, found that
the Judge was in Allacoochee, but was
expected home at five o'clock. They
waited, Duncan with Scotch resigna-
ton, the mountaineer with an indiffer-
ence born of long practice in the art OF
doing nothing, and Philip with true
Anglo-SaXon Impotence. When the
judge made his appearance. the bust
ness was quickly dispatched, and Dun
can and kilgrow started on their re-
turn over the mountain, leaving Thorn
dyke to go to Allacoochee by the even
ing train.
The train was due at eight. and while
he was wearing out the second period
of inaction on the porch of the tavern
where he had eaten supper, Philip was
able, for the first time since the finding
of the deed, to go back to the events
which had Immediately preceded that
piece of good fortune. He had Helen
letter in his pocket, and he read it again
in the thickening twilight. 1t was 4
good letter, after all, he admitted; SEN
sible and practical. and showing forth
in every line the nobility and true
heartedness of the writer. None the
less, she should have known-she would
have known, had she really loved him
that her proposal could be accepted
only on the condition he had imposed