Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-08-01
|StairS Of
Sand....

Job watched the other as ne paced
up and down n room. He finally
came to a standstill near where the
little man was seated.
why are you so much Interested? 80
THAT matters not; what 1 want Is
your agreement In writing. They owe
each other, n so should be allowed
to marry. While they might be able
to dispense with your blessing, as the
~ostensible father, your consent would
not be out of place"
Ellison looked at his companion
doubtfully, as IL wondering what he
could do In case OF a refusal.
You know 1 eve had anything but
a friendly feeling for the young man."
he said savagely.
Such being the case, all you have to
do is to write a line giving your con-
sent. Here ia a piece OF paper, and
here Is the pen," and, picking the arti-
cles up from the desk before him. no
held them out.
why shouldn't I agree?" was the
thought that was running through
Ellison's mind. Il can have this fell
low arrested before he has n chance to
leave the house-and he looks danger
ous." SO he picked up the pen and
wrote as directed.
Job looked the slip over, suggested
some changes, and then, as II salts
fed. placed II away In his coat pocket.
Il hope It suits you," said Ellison,
mockingly.
"Qui-e so, quite $50" And then. as
he rose to his feet: And now I have
q few parting words TO James Eli
son."
Il am listening"
you were interested in keeping the
young man in prison
Il assure you hat you are entirely
wrong" with an air of deep indigna-
ton.
"Oh. there were few things that you
have done Of late hat l was not ac-
quainted with" pursued the other,
slowly and calmly. You refused to
help him out Of his trouble, and but
for this confession, which I own I
helped TO secure, he might be anguish
Ing In prison yet. At first you showed
no disposition to help him, butcher in
terests interviewed"
II don't know where you got such
absurd Ideas as these" twisting UNI
easily or his feet.
Never mind where / got them; II is
enough that they are true"
Have your own way" said Ellison,
Struggling his shoulders; and now l
hope you will let me go. / can nave a
chance to tend to some more impor-
tant business"
He was moving toward the door,
when Job stepped forward and barred
his way.
"One moment, please"
What Is 1T now?" angrily.
Where Is the young lady-Grace?"
How dare you address her by that
name, fellow" and, If a look could kill,
the little man would have been ami
hilated then and there.
tDa~l,a -, I In,r, ...N.A ,i-EN q, 81
dress her by her first name than YOU
muttered Job, while a look of unutter-
able sadness came over his worn old
face.
There was something in the express
sion of his companion that caused Eli
son to y him ~curiously. There was
some strange mystery about the man
before him that often set him thing
ing.
Il dare say you will find the young
lady In the garden" he said, at length.
What can o possibly have to say to
her?'
Much more than l dare say" and
the shadow again passed over the
rough features. BE sure that It will
not be q word about her birth. | shall
not speak of that
You are a Queer man-a queer
man." muttered Ellison, and then he
AANA ~ iNAN NAS A'SAAiH hAAtAhAAio lAl'
head as over a problem he was hope
less of solving.
Job watched him go with a faint
smile.
How he would have liked to show
his claws, and yet he was afraid. a
coward at heart, he hesitated now tc
act, even when 1t was only a broken
down ~eX-convict against him."
He approached the window and
looked down into the sunny garden. II
was the sight OF a young girl, seated
under a tree, that suddenly changed
the expression OF his face completely
He seemed to be more deeply moved
than at any time since he had been
fencing with James Ellison for an an.
tagonist. He returned to the center OF
the room in deep thought, and then:
Yes, l must see her. 1t will be
such great good news that her lover
is free, and that l have smoOthed the
way to their happiness. 1t will COM
fort the poor child. God bless her!''
And, leaving the room he ven down
the stairs into the garden, with a smile
Of anticipation on his face.