The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-05-22

title of Job Hendricks" was the un-
perturbed reply. ''As to how I came
to know this bit of family history
/ may have had it from Frale him
self, or procured it from his heirs
and assignees. But why do you in
terrupt me in the most. interesting
part of my story?
Ellison skunk, rather than walked,
back to his chair, into which he sank
with sigh.
"The father was in predicament.
He saw the fortune taking wings.
1t was just at this juncture that his
former friend, Frale, appeared on
the, scene with the request that he
should take charge: of his infant
daughter, as he had an appointment
with the government. Ellison was
never so glad to see his shabby ex-
friend as on this occasion. The pa
pers drawn up, he adopted the infant
as his own. There was an important
clause that the father might claim
his daughter when he was free, in
20 years or more, or whenever his
sentence was served. Ellison agreed
readily to this, for there were many
things that might happen to a man
in prison-jail fever or other mall
aides; he might even happily be
shot when he attempted to escape.
The latter would have pleased FL
hson most. Then, with money, it was
possible to trace and destroy the pa
pers showing the adoption; in short,
this philanthropic man, who had
taken in the child of criminal, had
every chance of coming out ahead
in his benevolent game"
Now that Ellison was acquainted
with the chief parts of the story, he
recovered his equanimity and COM
posture quickly. AS he believed he
had to deal with cunning blackmail-
er, who had somehow come into pos
session of the secret of his life, and
as he had plenty of money, it would
not be hard matter to buy him off.
"Well," said Hendricks, smiling in
his beard, for he guessed what
thought was passing through the
bankers mind. Mrs. Ellison re-.
covered, and found her child living
and well. That is how Frale's daugh-
ter-the vagabond's brat-became an
heiress, and the fortune of the
family was fixed to remain forever
in James Ellison's possession"
Ellison did not answer at once, but,
swinging round in his chair, took
checkbook out of his desk, dipped his
pen in the ink, and said: "How much
money do you want?"
10
answer.
Il said, How much money do you
want?'" GrritateO.
"Well, 1 want something, but 1
don't want money. You seem to have
had experience with Matchmaking
schemes, you fly to your checkbook
in such a hurry"
Ellison closed the book, and flung it
in his desk angrily.
''It is hard to keep my temper with
you. Now state your wants"
81 think we are beginning to I'M
derstand each other" said Hen
bricks, blandly. mo doubt, in the
end, we shall be very good friends.
mo doubt
"The facts are these: I am inter-
ested in the fortune of this young
school-teacher, who has been held on
the charge of being an accessory to
the tragedy. Now, the young man is
innocent"
you seem to be omniscient," re-
piled Ellison, with palpable sheer.
"Never mind that. It is absurd
to think that he could be guilty
Now, you will oblige me, and I am
sure I can count on your help to set
him free"
The banker could hardly conceal
his pleasure at the turn things had
now taken. Evidently he had to deal
with a man who was not going to be
unreasonable.
81 am sure that I have always had
a liking for the young man." he said.
81 was the means of his coming here,
and I supported the school out of
my own purse. Now, even if you had
not asked me, I should have lost no
time in doing all could for him."
He said this with an air of frank
ness, but the other eyed him for a
moment with a certain distrust.
You are relation of Barnett's?"
asked Ellison, uneasy under that I'M
compromising glance
mo, never saw the fellow but once
in my life. But have made up my
mind that he is innocent and 1 want
him free. You have money-use it.
Hello! What's the matter now?" for
the banker had been staring out of
the window, and then stepped for
ward and made quick gesture as if
to some one in the garden.
Hendricks had slipped forward,
and peered out behind his b1ck. He
was just in time to see a man dodge
behind tree. The one glance was
enough for him to see that the fell
low was very ragged and unkempt,