Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1902-08-27

IeI2 II, tnlnklnG tnat the man In
the tree might he newspaper re-
porter. or Il curious minded fellow
who was bent on getting "a look at
such a dangerous character.
NO. | know you don't know me-"
replied the other, calmly, never tax
ing his eyes off the young school
teachers face.
What do you want?"
''ro do you a service"
Put, if YOU don't know me, what
possible INTEREST,"" began Barnett,
and yet there was an earnestness
about the man in the tree that fixed
his attention.
you are in close corner, young
man." said the stranger.
Did you come here to tell me
that?"
NO. | am going to save you. if [
can. and | am pretty sure that l
can"
But / can save myself"
81 sincerely wish you could. nv
boy. but il may be a long and tedious
operation, and ! think may be able
10 oil the wheels of Justice"
barnett stared AT the stranger,
wondering what sort of a man he
had to deal with, and why IA man
he never saw should take such an in
terest in his case.
'Who are you?" he asked. bluntly.
AS | said before. | am a man sim
ply who is ready and able. | think,
to do you good turn. What my
name is don't matter just now. You
know that there is quite pile of
circumstantial evidence against
you?"
Yes. so it seems"
With a foundation to build on.
they may erect Il pyramid that will
crush you"
You think 500" for there was an
earncStness about the stranger that
did not fail to make an impression
on the school-teacher.
Nov. Justice seldom rniscarrics to
the extent of hanging an innocent
man. but you may have "A good deal
of trouble before you clear yourself
of the charge"
Barnett's face became grave. He
was beginning 10 realize that what
the stranger told him must be true,
and that his position was fraught
with peril.
There; ] didn't come here to de
press you, bat, rather, to cheer you
up. my boy-to point out that YOU
must not treat the latter carelesslv.
| wanted. too, 10 make your ac-
quaintancc."
Was the man mad? Barnett won
dered. but he dismissed the idea
as absurd, for the stranger spoke
Sensibly enough. and his eyes were
clear and bright. Well. he was not
so burdened with friends that he
could afford TO refuse the friendly
offices of even stranger Perhaps
the man was type of those ecccn-
tries that spring up often when n
crime Is committed. and lend SYM
patty and funds to the cause they
have espOused.
The fellow might do some good.
since he spoke so confidently: at
least, he could do no harm. Let
this eccentric person have his will.
if it amused him
You don't seem TO be much Of ~
prisoner, with nothing but those
wooden bars between YOU and lib
erty, remarked the stranger. "A
good wrench, and out they would
come"
AS far a. I am concerned they
shall remain rs they are" said Bar
nett. II have many privileges here
that should lose if tried to es-
| &, I,t
along as they are. confident that. as
! am innocent, need have no fear"
And what OF hero"
The young man east an inuuisi-
torial look at him.
What do YOU mean?'
Il mean Grac" Miss Ellison. I
should say She knows. OF course.
what has taken place"
You know her, them" feeling a
fresh interest in the unknown.
No. I don't know her. but il is.
possible that ] may see her. if there
* any message that can carry 10
her coming from You"
Man. il YOU do that I am your
friend for lif"." cNcloimcd the Young
~chool-tcacher. Just wait and win
i't down q few words, and ne turned
hastily away from the window.
Make ha.tc'" called the other. i'm
a loud whisper
Barnett filled with % desire to sct
down tie thoughts that had been np.
""rmost i'm his mind since the trao.
"dv. had no trouble" i'm making a
tart ou hi# letter. no bc Quick and