Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-01-22
Stairs Of Sand
ERNEST DE IANcY P1ERsoN.

| fore, when he heard the sound re-
peated.
''Look up, please" said low voice.
Then he saw a man perched in the
old apple tree near his window. He
had never thought of looking there
for anyone.
For moment the two men re-
garded each other. Barnett, for the
life of him, could not remember ever
having seen that grizzled face be-
fore.
81 don't know you," he said, at
length, thinking that the man in
the tree might be a newspaper re-
porter. or curious minded fellow
who was bent on getting look at
such a dangerous character.
''No, I 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?''
"To do you service"
'But, if you don't know me, what
possible interest" began Barnett,
and vet there was an earnestness
about the man in the tree that fixed
his attention.
''You are in a close corner, young
man. said the stranger.
did you come here to tell me
that?"
mo. I am going to save you, if I
can, and [ am pretty sure that |
can"
"But [ can save myself"
81 sincerely wish you could, my
boy, but it may be long and tedious
operation, and think may be able
20 oil the wheels of Justice"
EaXnett stared at the stranger,
wondering what sort of man lie
had to deal with, and why a man
he never saw should take such an in
terest in his case.
."Who are your" he asked, bluntly.
"As [ said before, / am 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
your
eyes, so it seems
"With a foundation to build on,
they may erect a pyramid that will
crush you"
"You think SOP" for there was an
earnestness about the stranger that
did not fail to make an impression
on the school-teacher.
'Now, Justice seldom miscarries to
the extent of hanging an innocent
man, but you may have good deal
Of trouble before you clear yourself
of the charge"
Barnett's face became grave. He
was beginning to realize that what
the stranger told him must be true,
and hat his position was fraught
with peril.
''There; I didn't come here to de-
press you, but, rather, to cheer you
up, my boy-to point out that you
must not treat the matter carelessly.
I wanted, too, to make your &C
quaintance."
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 a stranger. Perhaps
the man was a type of those eccen-
tries that spring up often when a
crime is committed, and lend sym
pathy 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 a
prisoner, with nothing but those
wooden bars between you and lib
erty," remarked the stranger. "A
good wrench, and out they would
come"
GAS far as am concerned, they
shall remain as they are" said Bar
nett. ct have many privileges here
that I should lose if I tried to es-
cape, so I shall just let matters run
along as they are, confident that, as
I am innocent, need have no fear
"And what of her?"
The young man cast an inqulsl-
torial look at him.
''What do you mean?'
ST mean Grace-Miss Ellison, J.
should say. She knows, OF course
what has taken place"
"You know her, then?' feeling a
fresh interest in the unknown.
''No, l don't know her, but 1T is
possible that may see her, If there
is any message that [ can carry to
her coming from YOU
Man, if you do that, I am your
friend for life!" exclaimed the young
school-teacher. "Just wait and [ will
lot down a few Words and he turned
hastily away from the window.
snake haste!" called the other, in
a loud whisper.