Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-08-26
CHAPTER XII.


By slow degrees William Luke re-
covered from his illness so far that he
could get out and walk about a little
with the aid of a stick. Nothing would
now induce him to touch spirits; and
Sullivan grumbled nightly at having
ledger who, he declared, not only
occupied his best bedroom" but hard
ly spent enough to pay for his tucker
/ Still Sullivan had one consolation, and
/ that was that, as the story of the new
arrival was circulated, people were
/ curious to see this William Luke who
had been condemned for murder and
| pardoned.
Luke's one desire was to get strong
enough to go on TO Redmount and
search for some traces of his brother.
"He amt there" replied Sullivan, as
he listened to his customers repetition
Of the old story for about the fiftieth
time. Didn't Mr.. Hall tell you for
certain that the Bayneses couldn't be
the ones you are after, Didn't he see
Baynes wife? And didn't the trooper
and other people see her and him? And
aren't they all certain you are on the
wrong track"
But what made them go of so sud
denly" said Luke, still unconvinced,
1.-The very day l came up?"
BLESS the man." cried Sullivan, get
ting weary OF arguing with him
hasn't Mr.. Hall told you over and
over again that the chap got a letter.
saying his sister was i'll in Sydney? II
you will make a mystery OF everything
connected with them. why, you will
that's all I've got to say"
But the more Luke thought, and the
more he read and re-read his brothers
letter. the more certain he felt that
there was something about the
Bayneses which no one as yet sus-
pscted.
Did not his brother say that on that
very night Of the 18th of May he in
tended to visit their hut!
Il mean to see her tonight, whether
or no. Baynes 10 away fetching some
, stores, and won't be home until morn
ing. So now's my chance!"
) These were the words which William
Luke read as he sat beneath the shade
Of a gum tree on the creek side. and
| racked his brains to work the puzzle
out.
One day-about q month after hit
; arrival at Sullivan's, and when he had
become tolerably convAlescent-LukS
made up his mind that he would 90 tC
, Redmount; SO. borrowing a horse, hs
} started on.
r Upon reaching the station. he VA
received with every kindness by thu
. hands, who felt rough sympathy FOL
the man who had come so far to SO,
D his brother and had not found him.
|, Mr.. Hall, too, had got over the frs
a feeling OF disgust he had entertained
for "the gentleman who had beef
: drinking and had had fts," and aske,
i, him in his kindliest manner to com
3 up with him to the house and talk mat
tiers over.
a II wish to ask you several question
!. sir" said Luke. "about things that hav
been on my mind"
ASK away" replied the squatter.
First of all, must tell you some
z thing Of my own history" began LUX
nervously.
q THAT is unnecessary. am sure.
said Mr.. Hall gently. 1T cannot pos
d sibly bear upon this present question.
mo. sir; perhaps not, but still
y think I'd rather"
Go on, them am listening"
n well. sir, entered service earl,
y and was in many a good situation: bu
latterly could not keep my places
!. The curse OF my life. as 1t has bee
l. the curse OF many another one, was tn
drink. The place where lived befor
It went to Mr.. Hughes-who, you know
was murdered-I left on that account
checked the master, and he said
had stolen his wine. That was tru
e However l made up my mind on &
}! ing to my new situation to turn ovs
r q new leaf!"
And you did not succeed!"
mo, sir. went on very we'll for
short time; but, II II II not wicked
:" sneak an of the dead he was n mo-