Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-21
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
 The next morning the two brothers met as they were leaving their rooms. David caught Ronald by the arm and turned his face towards the little glass less window at the head of the stairs.
 Own up," he said, with smile, you didn't git a wink o' sleep last night.'
 T confess it,'' was the answer. 1T didn't know what was the matter with me-"
 But I do,' David touched his brow significantly; ''it was hot blood in the brain. l know how you felt. You jest rolled an tumbled. l heerd you git up an look out O the window to see ef it was gittin' daylight five times ef you did once. My Lord, 1 couldn't rest for two nights fore I whipped Budd Meyer fur reportin' me fur sellin' that quart to the Calhoun boys, but you bet after l made his face look like huckle- berry custard l slept the sleep of the righteous. Two O my friends had to perjure the'rse'ves to keep me out O the chain gang, an l was tryin' to wash out the'r sin with his blood; ef the'r conscience ain't clear it ain't because '4ieAA "oSii S1lOhSll U lllc 1uIu laundry purposes, fer he bled like a stuck pig. l reckon" Dave broke off suddenly as they began to descend the stairs, that breakfast is about ready, I heerd the old man cussin' about thar bein' too much ham fried-''
 After breakfast our hero left the houseandHookt theroad leadingto Carnleigh. He wore his best suit of clothes, which fitted him perfectly. In each of the pockets of his dark sack coat there was a revolver; he had shaved himself by the first rays of the sun and wore a becoming necktie; his boots shone with fresh backing, and he had on stylish straw hat.
 As he left the house Mary Lou and Ann Josephine, having shirked the dishwashing, stood arm in arm on the porch. Their shoes were unlaced, their dresses soiled and torn, their hair dis heveled.
 He walks mighty biggity," observed Mary. Lou; "I reckon he is mallin' tracks fur town to see about bein' ex- amined fur the law. Who do you reck- on would hire i'm to speak fur 'em?"
 ''Thar's no tellin' the luck of lousy calf" opined Ann Josephine. "Ron ain't nobody's fool; body couldn't read as many papers an magazines an study law as hard as he does without larnin' something"
 'He'll take keer O number 6ne any ways," commented Mary Lou. T heerd pa say t'other day that Ron refused to market his cotton when everybody in the county was turnin' loose O theirs last fall an that he held onto it, tell it rig an he put a cool two hundred dol lars profit in the bank; an another thing, he never goes in debt over head an yeers like pa an Dave does; he's the only farmer round heer that pays cash fur labor an that's one reason he gifts SC much out O his hands. Niggers don't want to work fur orders on the store at two prices when the cash planked down will git so much better bargains"
 Meanwhile the subject of these re- marks was walking swiftly down to- wards Carnleigh. The great house was now in full view, and that part of the grounds through which a f1ower-bor- dered walk led in sinuous curves from the veranda down the grassy slope where there were spring, Il summer house and rustic seats. The spot was only a few hundred yards from the main road, where, in a corner of the colonel's zigzag rail fence, Ronald paused and waited, hoping that by some chance Capt. Wrinkle would stroll in that direction as Ronald in passing had once or twice seen him do.
 He had not long to wait. He saw Wrinkle in fatigue uniform come out on the veranda and receive cigar from man-servant. A few minutes after wards, under banner of blue smoke, the young officer took one or two turns on the lawn among the flower beds, and then, as if obeying Ronald's fierce desire, conveyed to him telepa thically, he turned into the walk leading down to the spring. He moved easily, with lazy, swinging stride, ruthlessly cut ting at the nearest flowers with a cane which he poised on his shoulder like a sword or swung in front of him as if fencing.
 No sooner had Ronald seen the di- rection he was taking than he vaulted over the fence and made his way through the dewy grass and weeds into the wood which intervened between him and the spring.
 He came upon Wrinkle as that worthy stood on the flat stones round the spring. The officer wore his eye glasses, and had his cigar between his liups. The grass muffled Ronald's steps, and as Wrinkle was look ing towards the house as if expect ing some one, he did not notice our hero's presence till he stood beside him.
 "Ah" ejaculated Wrinkle, as he turned, and then through his glasses he eyed Ronald coldly from head to foot. "Ah!' he repeated, and then he took puff at his cigar and blew the smoke towards the house as he looked again up the walk. One familiar with the tricks of Wrinkles sallow face might have found hint of uneasiness there as Ronald caught his eye and held it steadily for a second.
 There is matter that you and I must settle, sir said our hero, calmly.
 For moment Wrinkle gaxed almost deflantIy atthe speaker, then his glance WavereI7 i,aafes Y 1iffln