Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-02-12

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possibilities Of grave loss 10 him. while
several OF our witnesses are from dis
tsnce, brought together at this time
with more or less difficulty. In respect
to Mr.. Neil's disappearance, while from
some points Of view II may be regarded
as peculiar ut this juncture, yet / ven
ture to suggest that the gentleman was
undoubtedly cognizant Of the fact that
the case was set for this morning, and
II he Is not here II may be certainly
within the range Of possibility that
he has reasons Of his own for absenting
himself. We would most respectfully
call the attention OF the court to the
fact that no sufficient grounds have
been presented for granting continu-
ance. Talk Of malicious detention,
hints and innuendoes, cannot be Of
fered us valid reason for delay. On our
side we IRE ready to proceed, and on
behalf of my client / most emphatically
protest against the granting of any con.
tinuance."
The judge looked deliberately from
one attorney to the other, absentl.'
playing with paper knife. did Mr..
Neil understand that the case was set
for this morning?" he asked, coldly
glancing ut Donald Bartels.
''IIe did, your honor; and when he
left my Office Mt four o'clock yester-
day afternoon, he expressed his inten-
ton Of being here, while, rs before
stated, his purpose was further shown
in ordering his horse to be ready for
him."
The judge glanced rather listlessly to-
ward the clock ut the side Of the room.
II do not see any sufficient grounds
for n continuance" he imperturbably
decided, after moment, taking up the
paper knife once more and nttentively
examining the pattern Of its handle.
"Your client was aware that the case
wns set for trial this morning; II he
disappeared from his room last night,
II would seem that he went voluntarily
at least you have made no showing of
violence or coercion. Surmises and sug-
gestion are not to be accepted rs evil
dence. Gentlemen, we will proceed
with the case"
Bartels' fair face flushed IN angry red,
but comprehending the uselessncss Of
further appeal, lie resumed his seat in
silence. "Just rs I told you," muttered
Carlton in his ear. "They've got Bennett
on their side fast enough. Your only
show now Is to kill time the best you
can and trust in Providence for Neil
to show up ut the eleventh hour. I'm 60
ing down to stir up the sheriff and see
what he is good for--if he has not gone
already"
And accepting his partners view OF
the case, Dartcls grimly gave himself
to the task Of consuming time. He nd;
dressed himself to the impanelling Of
u jury with drawing hesitancy, which,
to the few among them who were
strangers to him, fairly suggested an
impcdiment in his speech. Had he been
called to cope with hopeless idiocy, he
could not have been more infinitely
painstaking in his deliberate explana-
ton of the grounds upon which that
suit was brought; he reiterated with
tireless suavity; by no possible chance
could any misunderstanding have lin
gered in the mind Of the dullest. He
wavered uncertainty in respect to his
challenges; frequently he was inter-
rurted by small, nervous cough, i'm
polling him to begin anew almost COM
pleted sentences, while his questions
were put in such searching, impressive
fashion, that the unhappy company
seized for that form Of vicarious atone
ment ordained by the law felt Us though
tncitly accused, and in some instances
almost convicted Of unholy league with
the defendant in the case. Dutwith all
his dragging methods, Mr.. Criley with
busincss-like directness doing all that
he might TO make up the lost time, when
court adjourned ut noon the jury OF six
impanelled and sworn to well and truly
try the issues joined between the plain
tiif and the defendant, and true YER
dict render according to the evidence.
"Well, it might be worse" Carlton ex-
claimed in gloomy graduation as they
walked down the street together. "You
can easily use UP n couple Of hours with
your opening speech, and get away with
the rest Of the afternoon with whatwit
nesscs you've got, while IL worst comes
to worst, you can Of course demand
But it beats the deuce! l
can't think what II MEANS"
~ wish were as sure Of seeing the
whole Grubstake outfit indicted before
a grand jury us am that they IRE at
the bottom OF it." moroscly returned
"Dut this would seem almost more
than even Meredith would dare under
that Neil has been ab-
Quoted or anything like that" protested
Carlton doubtfully. However, l think
III ride up myself this afternoon and
take n look around. may be able to
onto some clcw."
"If you don't-Heaven help us!" ejac-
ulatcd the other with disheartened
fcryor.
News Of Neil's disappearance had by
This time become noised about the
street, stirring up such excitement us
had not been known in 0rodelphin for
many n day. That he should volun-
Iarily absent himself on such an occn-
zion seemed almost out Of the ques-
ton; but there were q few who found
he most reasonable solution Of the
in the beer which Neil wns
to have drunk in the Tom
Iown saloon the evening before, the
character Of the liquors
dispensed in that establishment being
for Ey many of sorry expert
.nces. Others leaned to the opinion,