The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-06-28
HIS - y
INHERITANCE
By $: :: ~:
Clinton Dangerfield
Copyright, 1902, by the
8. 8. Mcclure Company

The tones Of the elder mans voice
ceased, and to John Ringwood, stand
ing before him, 1t seemed that the
whole world was suddenly enveloped
in d mist Of red shame. When Ring
wood spoke, his accents were curiously
quiet and constrained, for was he not
addressing Molly's father?
"And SOL" he said, wondering vague
Iy If he were the same John Rlngwood
who ten minutes ago had asked SO
hopefully for the girls hand-"and so.
sir, this is your objection to me-be-
cause my father was a-a-coward"-
the word came out with a gasping
sound-"you think must be one also"
Blood tells" returned Hem Nor
ris hoarsely. "But remember, lad,
would never have forced this painful
knowledge of mine on you If you had
not compelled me to say why | could
not trust my girl to you. Your fathers
shame known only to you and me,
would have slept with him il his grave
but-you would known
THAT will do" said Ringwood thick
ly ~ am my fathers son. as you say.
There is no chance here, or | might
prove to you that God does not always
make us mere copies of those who go
before. But that is idle. There is one
thing-when am gone tell Molly that
loved her, that asked for her hand, but
that there was ia barrier between
us. She shall not think l was making
summer love to her. She shall not hate
me for that"
''very WE'LL" said the elder man grim
~. But If had known the girl
would interest herself in the first good
looking stranger thrown at my gates
by broken ankle would have taken
preventive measures long ago"
81 will take the stage tomorrow"
pursued Ringwood. "Until then l must
trespass on your hospitality"
"And welcome" said Morris heartily.
you've met what I said like man
Here's my hand"
rs that necessary" returned the 9th
er briefly. you may as well avoid con-
Elimination when you have condemned
another into hereditary leprosy."
Morris left the taunt unanswered,
and just then the library door swung
open. and curly haired boy Of six
teen pushed in with spoiled freedom.
"Everything's gone to sleep on the
ranch" he said pettishly. "When's
Markham and Molly coming homer"
"Your brother said he would bring
your sister home by 8 o'clock" return
ed Morris.
Gracious! hope he will" said the
boy. "Rut she said they might cut
across to Denham's. She wanted to
see old Aunt Hannah or some such
nonsense. told her she was going
after one of Hannah's love charms
and she turned as red as you please"
''Try to talk sense" said his father
irritably, and Ringwood crossed to the
west window and stood watching the
sunset fires die to an ashen gray.
$50 rose the fire Of my hopes" hi
thought "Like this. 1t died in bitter
Rshes--flung to my fathers level! Tit
son, o God. ola cowardv
Eight O'clock came, but neither thu
elder son nor Molly Morris had return
ed At 8 a negro groom brought not
saying they would sleep that night a
the Denhams', some fifteen miles away
A thrill half anguish, half relief, sho
through Ringwood. Best. indeed, tina
they should never meet again. H
would take the stage early next morn
Ing
Then on the heels Of the negro STUN
bled III Lee Hung, the cook. who hat
been granted an afternoon off. Blanch
ed to the palest of yellows, he STAN
mered out tale in his almost incom
prehcnsible lingo which. translated
ran as follows
Coming home on foot, he was awar
of tiuy fire at the foot Of SEWER
canyon. Inspired by ancestral deities
he had crept up to overhear the strar
gers converse. Developed they hal
learned of Markham Morris deposi
that day with the express agent at Ra
venshood; that they resolved that thi
money would circulate better at HON
and had shot the unfortunate expires
agent through his window. dead me
being proverbially close mouthed: la
seized the packet, which waited til
midnight express, and now only tai
tied the rising Of the moon.
Young Morris went white with rag
and despair. That package stood bt
tween his family and financial ruiz
His eyes flashed.
"Of course we'll get 1t back. dad, q
bnce"
"Yes. lad. Lee Hung. how man
hen were thereY
"AlIee samee fingers one hand = n
thumb"
-Four. I'm sorry your brother Ism
here. Stanley. You are bit young fc
buch work. The foot of Sewer canyol
Let's sec: we can be on them In ha
IN hour"
Take the short cut through the cal
Ton, dad. and we can be at 'em 1
twenty-five minutes"
NO" said his father decisively. az
ride through that canyon trail at fu
speed means almost certain dealt
Quick, Lee Hung. and you. boy" to IL
hegro Saddle Prince and Firebran,