Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-27

tanned before. He began to walk
quickly, with short, rapid steps, up and
down the tiled floor, just as he had
paced up and down the little tableland
outside when Mason first met him.
Suddenly he stopped In the middle Of
his walk and stared flxedly at the
amethyst ring on Masson's finger.
browning more deeply than before, he
presently looked up and met his guests
eyes with the expression Of one who
has made new and strange discovery.
"Was he minister-your brotherr'
he asked quickly.
"a clergyman, yes, yes!'
'Then saw him myself" said the
farmer. ''Merrick brought him up here;
nothing would serve but he must see
the ruins of the old church,
Eyes. yesY'
"And 80 he did. He examined them
in every part, and then Merrick set
him on his way and left him."
left him? IL that what he said7
Left him? But then, why should the
man be troubled at the sight Of me, at
the sound of my voice, which evidently
recalled my brothers to him. II he had
only set him on his way safelyT'
"Ah! That Is more than can tell
you." said Tregaron gravely. 1--WE
must ask the man himself"
"He won't tell the truth"
"Why should he notY" retorted the
farmer, with some warmth. II don't
care much for the fellow, but have
never found him dishonest And what
motive could he have for telling you
lies about your brotherr
Mason was silent, but his looks be-
rayed the thoughts which were In his
mind.
Tregaron looked at him intently with
his keen black eyes.
HE never set finger on him for
harm. that I'll swear" said he earnest
~. "What should he do It fort Folks
don't carry much Of value about them
when they 60 on the tramp among the
mountains, and Merrick's been going
on as ever since that time. II he'd
robbed your brother, he would have
gone on the spree. and we should have
Noticed something. Don't you see,
Sri?
Before he answered Mason happen
ed to catch sight of the ring on his
hand.
"You promised" said he. ito tell me
how you came by this"
II found It about half a mile from
here at the foot Of a steep bit Of rock
In the side of one of the hills" replied
the farmer. at was covered with
mud, and shouldn't have seen It, but
slipped on 1t and looked down."
when was thatT' asked Mason.
"A matter Of three or four weeks
back now, SIR"
"You didn't remember having seen
1t on my brothers handY'
II hadn't seen 1t, sir. should have
remembered 1t If had. being SO I'M
common to look at. The gentleman
wore gloves, l fancy"
Mason nodded and was silent.
II can take you to the place where I
found the ring, and you can search
about as much as you like, but there
was no sign Of any accident there, I'm
certain. Finding this thing made me
keep my eyes open, you may be sure"
"If could see this Merrick," cried
Mason abruptly.
"Sir, to be sure you can. I'll so and
have him out" said the farmer prompt
~. II must just get my lantern, for
It's some little way off. He sleeps in
loft over the cowhouse. And don't be
afeared, sir; we'll find out the truth of
this for you. however dark 1t may be
and however hard we have to work to
get at it, for the sake of what you're
going to do for my little girl"
AS he spoke the little man put his
hand up to Masson's shoulder and
looked up into his face with his keen
black eyes moist with feeling.
'Thank you, thank you q thousand
times" said Mason huskily.
Then the farmer wrung his hand
warmly and in silence, and taking up
q lantern from the corner of the dress
er lighted 1t. put on his coat and hat
and disappeared into the darkness Of
the clubhouse. closing the door behind
him.