The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-05-08

1cHStH, tHiIhiHS Thai the man III
the tree might be n newspaper re-
porter, or a curious-minded fellow
who was bent on getting look ut
such dangerous character.
No, 1 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?'
ITO do you a service
But, if you don't know me, what
possible interest," began Barnett,
and yet there was an earnestness
about the man in the tree that fixed
his attention.
You are in close corner, young
man." said the stranger.
Did you come here to tell me
that?"
NO. I am going to save you, if 1
can, and 1 am pretty sure that 1
can"
But 1 can save myself"
81 sincerely wish you could, my
boy, but it may be a long and tedious
operation, and 1 think 1 may be able
to oil the wheels of Justice"
Barnett stared at the stranger,
wondering what sort of man he
had to deal with, and why man
he never saw should take such an in
terest in his case.
''Who are you?" he asked, bluntly.
''As 1 said before, I am a man sim
ply who is ready and able, I think,
to do you a 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 q 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 that his position was fraught
with peril
There; 1 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
1 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 stranger. Perhaps
the man was a~type of those eccen-
tries that spring up often when
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.
prisoner, with nothing but those
wooden bars between you and lib
erty," remarked the stranger. "a
good wrench, and out they would
come"
''As far as I am concerned, they
shall remain as they are" said Bar
nett. 81 have many privileges here
that I should lose if 1 tried to es-
cape, so shall just let matters run
along as they are, confident that. as
l am innocent, / need have no fear"
''And what of her?"
The young man cast an inquisi-
torial look at him.
What do you mean?"
81 mean Grace-Miss Ellison,
should say. She knows, of course,
what has taken place"
you know her, then?' feeling a
fresh interest in the unknown.
mo, I don't know her, but it is
possible that 1 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 lifei" exclaimed the young
school-teacher. "Just wait and I will
jot down few words" and he turned
hastily away from the window.
make haste," called the other, in
loud whisper.
Barnett, filled with a desire to set
down the thoughts that had been up
permost in his mind since the trag-
edy, had no trouble in making a
start on his letter. To be quick and
concise was another thing. Though
his pen dashed over the paper,
warning "Hist!" was notice to draw
the epistle to a close. He folded it,
and, without stopping to set down
the address, went back to the. win
dow and ma SSed 1T to the STRANGER by