Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-04-30
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ooh, he denies that he had anything
10 do with the poor lady, though ac-
tnowledgin' that they had words. and
hat she had ordered him off the
grounds. On his way out he heard this
Try in the night, and. runpin' back,
'ound her dead or dyin' on the ground
And what sort OF reputation des
ae bear in the neighborhood?"
oh, fust-rate, so far as that goes.
hough he never patronized me none,
With rather rueful tone in his voice.
'Rtgh smart. he seemed to be. But, We
zee, the mother allus was against him.
Hadn't been for her, he might have got
he gal. Ellison. We see, was friendly
ike to the last"
lure that the young man had nothing
70 do with the crime" said the stranger,
decidedly. Perhaps it Is the work OF
Iome miscreant. who took advantage
IT his being In the ground that night
10 kill her. never heard Of a young
man taking such step because the
mother happened to oppose his suit. 1t
Is not common sense. Well, must be
going now" and he rose and laid a
pACSC VI ulOLSy Ol lIlS SIls ASSSl
mind the change" as the landlord was
counting 1T out. ut was worth some
thing to hear such a dramatic story"
Il hope you'll come again, sir"
You might see me this evening, but
can't tell. I suppose you could put
me up for a day or two"
There's one room I think might be
vacant tonight" then, to himself. "and
seven others. IL you wanted them"
Very we'll. here's a dollar to hold a
room for me- II I'm not here by s
o'clock, you can rent It," and he tossed a
silver dollar on the table.
You can find your way back here,
hope. sir" as the stranger was nearing
the door.
Not the least doubt of IT." then, as
II sudden thought struck him.
Where do you suppose they have
held this unfortunate young man-vil-
iage jail?"
There amt such thing. Had one
once, but, as 1t lay empty for years, 1t
was rented to Teller what raises hens.
think Barnett is KEEP In the constable's
house-little gray stone cottage near
the meetin'."
Thank you; good day." and the lit
tie man disappeared through the door
way. Mr.. Bowersox followed his guest
outdoors and watched him go down the
road at swinging gait until he disap-
peared from view.
IL I was to make rough guess
I sh'ud say that was one o. the
young mans folks, but, If he Is. he
took the young fellers predicament
mighty ca'm-like. Well. what does
1t matter to me. anyway? I wisht
had hundred like him, that's ALL
and he went back to his doze by the
bar to dream Of the prosperity that
would come to him II his customers
were all like the man in the snuffy
brown suit. Meanwhile the object OF
his complimentary thoughts was
gwinging along at brisk pace
Though SMALL in walking his great
strength of muscle was manifest
There was nothing light or graceful
in his movements. but he strobe or
with the clumsy power Of bull
You landed here at the right mo-
ment," was the thought running
through his mind as he made his way
along, keeping q furitive outlook TO,
the meeting house.
If this chap is worthy Of the girl
he shall have her, but first we must
see about getting him free. He GER
tainly succeeded in placing himsel,
we shall get him out Of it,
He stepped aside to allow car
rage to pass. a handsome turnou,
with gold-mounted harness ane
sumptuous fittings. A rather hand
some, military looking man. with 6
gray mustache, lolled back on the
cushions. He was dressed with quiet
elegance. and puffed lazily on his
cigar.
The little man eyed him for 6
moment searchtngly, and then gave
man in the carriage must have
heard, IL the swift horses had no
by that time carried him out of ear
shot. The little man. after looking
at the vehicle for moment, shool
his head and passed on his way.
Bears his years we'll, hang him.
he muttered. And thus is virtue re
warded," and he laughed again
How glad he will be to see me.
have a favor to ask, and 1 don't thinl
he will refuse to grant It," He hat
no trouble in finding the place hi
wanted, for around the little building
was group of the townspeople
talking excitedly. The center of tn,
gathering was a very stout man, II
species of uniform of dark blue
much faded, and who seemed to b,
the center of interest.
What you folks blamin' me for?'
he was eXpostulating as the littl,
man in brown drew near. II hat
TO do my duty as seen it. TIL,
young man won't be none the wus
for little rest away from the push
III he's inherent, why, he'll get fire.
soon enough. 1t amt often as jus
ticc makes mistake. But dom
you als be too ALTERED sure that HI
is innercent," wagging his grotesqu
head sagely. The town sympathie
were evidently with the young man
and the village constable was tn
object of unkind remarks.
The subject of the discussion wa
just at this time reading in the room
that had been allotted to him as cell
1t was comfortably furnished. and bu
for the fact that he was prisoner, h.
had nothing of Importance to com
plain of. What he regretted was TIN
thought that he must soon leave hi
comfortab BILE quarters and be transferre,
to the county Jail, where he was sur
not to fare SO we'll. 1t would have mad
his confinement less burdensome, toe
If he could have gotten some news O
Grace, but not word had come to hin
since that awful night. She was pros
trated when the intelligence of his ar
rest reached her. Since then he ha,
heard nothing. The voices wranglin,
window, which was only lightly barre,
with wood. He had hoped that he Nigh
catch some of the conversation, an,
letArn, perhaps, what was being sal,
Of his case.
AS he stood there, in an attitude O
attention, he suddenly heard lou,
"Hist!" that seemed to come from
point very near at hand.
CHAPTER III.
THE BLIND BEGGAR.
Barnett peered around, but could Sc
no one. There were persons passin,
along the road beyond, but this SCUM,
came from near at hand. He wa
about to turn to the book he had beel