Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-07-17
HIS . =
INHERITANCE
By ::: :::
Clinton Dangerfield
Copyright, 1902, by the
S. S. Mcclure Company

ceased, and to John Ringwood, stand.
ing before him, it 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 Molly's father?
And So" he said, wondering vague
~ if he were the same John Ringwood
who ten minutes ago had asked so
hoperuily 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 Henry Nor
ris hoarsely. But remember, lad, l
would never have forced this painful
knowledge of mine on you if you had
not compelled me to say why 1 could
not trust my girl to you. Your fathers
shame, known only to you and me,
would have slept with him in his grave
but-you would know
"That will do,'' said Ringwood thick
~. II am my fathers son, as you say.
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 1
| loved her, that asked for her hand, but
| that there was IA barrier between
| us. She shall not think was making
summer love to her. She shall not hate
me for that"
VERY well,' said the elder man grim
| ly. 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.
II will take the stage tomorrow"
pursued Ringwood. until then must
trespass on your hospitality"
And welcome" said Morris heartily.
you've met what said like man
Here's my hand'
lis 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 a curly haired boy of six
teen pushed in with spoiled freedom.
"Everythings 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 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 I 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" he
thought. "Like this, it died in bitter
ashes-flung to my fathers level! The
son, God, OLA coward"
Eight o'clock came, but neither the
elder son nor Molly Norris had return
ed. At negro groom brought note
saying they would sleep that night at
the Denhams', some fifteen miles away.
A thrill half anguish, half relief, shot
through Ringwood Best, indeed, that
they should never meet again. He
would take the stage early next morn
ing.
Then on the heels of the negro STUN
bled i'll Lee Hung, the cook, who had
been granted an afternoon off. Blanch-
ed to the palest of yellows, he STAN
mered out tale in his almost incom-
prehensible lingo which, translated,
ran as follows:
Coming home on foot, he was aware
of tiny fire at the foot of Sewers
canyon. Inspired by ancestral deities,
he had crept up to overhear the stran-
gers converse. Developed they had
learned of Markham Morris deposit
that day with the express agent at Ra-
venshood; that they resolved that this
money would circulate better at home
and had shot the unfortunate express
agent through his window, dead men
being proverbially 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 We'll get it back, dad, at
once"
Eyes, lad. Lee Hung, how many
men were there?'
"Allee samee fingers one hand no
thumb
-Four. Pm sorry your brother isn't
here, Stanley. You are bit young for
such work. The foot of Sewer canyon.
Let's see; 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 decisively. "To
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 a
rifle for each