Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-06-24
HIS = =
INHERITANCE
BY $3.50: -:
Clinton Dangerfiold

hsScscSSsSSSSSc<sSe
The tones of the elder mans voice
ceased, and to John Ringwood, stand
ing before him, ii seemed that the
whole world was suddenly enveloped
in mist of red shame. When Ring
wood spoke. his accents were curiously
quiet and constrained, for was he not
addressing AIolly's father?
And so,' he said, wondering vague
~ IL he were the same John Ringwood
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 IA coward
/ the word came out with gasping
sound-"you think must be one alsor'
Blood tells returned Henry Nor.
ris hoarsely. But remember, lad, |
would never have forced this painful
! knowledge of mine on you IL you had
not compelled me to say why | could
not trust my girl to you. Your father S
shame, known only to you and me.
would have slept with him in his grave
but-you would known
THAT will do, said RIngwood thick
". II am my fathers son, as you say.
There Is 10 chance here, or l. 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 d "A barrier between
rs. She shall not think was making
summer love 10 her. She shall not hate
me for that
Very well . said the elder man grim
~. But ii ! had known the girl
would interest herself III the first good
looking stranger thrown at my gates
by Il broken ankle | would have taken
preventive measures long ago
81 will take the stage tomorrow"
pursued gingweod. Until then must
trespass on your hospitality"
And welcome" said Norris heartily.
you've met what | said like a man
Here's my land. :
/, rs that necessary" returned the 9th
er briefly. "You may as well avoid con-
tamination 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.
'Ereryihing's gone TO sleep on the
ranch" he said pettishly. "When's
Markham and Molly coming homef'
Your brother said he would bring
your sister home by O'clock" return
ed Morris
Gracious! | hope he will,' said the
boy. but she said they might cut
across to Denham's She wanted to
see old Aurt Hannah or some such
nonsense l told her she was going
after one of Hannall's love charms,
and she turned rs red as you please"
"Try 10 talk sense" said his father
irritably. and Ringwood crossed to the
west window and stood watching the
sunset fires die to an ashen gray
80 rose Tie fire of my hopes" he
thought. Like this, it died in bitter
ashes flung to my fathers level, The
son, O Ged. Of a coward.'
Eight ocivcis came, but neither the
elder son mol siei.y Morris had return
ed. At o 4 negro groom brought a note
saying they would sleep that night at
the Denhams', seine fifteen miles away.
a thrill haif anguish half relief, shot
through Ieingwoos,. Best, indeed, that
they should neycr meet again. He
would take the stage early next morn
ing.
Then OH the heels OF The negro Stun
bled in Ice Hung. the cook. who had
been granted an afternoon off Blanch-
ed to the palest of yelIows, he stam-
meresl out tale in his almost incom-
prehensiIlle lingo which, translated,
ran rs follows
Coming home on foot, lie was aware
of a tiny fire at the foot Of Sewers
canyon. Inspired by ancestral deities.
he had crept ~ to oserhcar the stran-
gers converse Developed they had
learned OF Markham Morris deposit
that day with the express agent at Ra-
scnshood; That they resolved that this
money would circulate better at home
and had siist the unfortunate express
agent through his window, dead men
being pfoyerhially close mouthed; had
seized the packet, which waited the
midnight express. and now only tar
ried the rising of the moon
Young Morris went white with rage
and despair That package stood be-
tween his family and financial ruin.
His eyes flashed.
"Of course wei get it back, dad, at
once"
Yes. lad Lee Hung, how many
men were theres'
Alice sanee fingers one hand : no
thumb.
hour- lin sorry your brother isn't
here. STANLEY. You are bit young for
such work. The foot OF Sewer canyon.
Let's sec; we can be on them in half
an hour"
Take the short cut through the can
yon. dad and we can be at 'em in |
twenty-five minutes"
No. said his father decisiveiy. ITO
ride through that canyon trail at full |
speed means almost certain death. |
Quick. Lee Hung. and you. boy" to the |
negro. saddle Prince and Firebrand- |
STANLEY, help me get the pistols and d |
rife for each
Only two horses Young Morris fash |
ed an astounded look on their guest
Was that logged indifference real? OF
course nothing was expected from Lee
or the negro, but this handsome Saxon |
with frank. gray eyes could he fail
ftaa,s, Ii, StYeh y,aad .