Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-09-16

to myself jest now mat ten minutes
wouldn't pass fore Craig an his bust
up would be mentioned"
I'VE have been at it. off and on, all
day." said Miller. with a low laugh.
1.-THE truth is it makes me madden than
anything ever encountered"
DO you know WHY asked Abner
seriously, Just as Pole Baker came
through the dining room md leaned
against the door Jamb facing them. Its
beca' se"-nodding greeting to Pole
along with the othcrs-sit's beca'se you
know in reason that he's. got that
money"
"Oh, i wouldn't say that! protested
Miller, in the tone Of man Of broad
experience In worldly affairs 81
wouldn't say that"
well, / would, an do" sutd Abner,
in the full tone of decision. 81 know
he's got it!'
We'll Ayo're wrong thar, Uncle Abb"
said Pole. stli6ing forward and sinking
into chair. you've got as good judg-
ment as any man ever run across. l
thought like you do once. I'd "a tuck
my oath that he had 1t about two
hours by sun this evenln', but I kin
swear he hain't cent of 1t now"
"Do you mean that, Pole?" Abner
stared across tho wide hearth at him
fixedly.
HE hain't got it Uncle All" Pole
was beginning to smile mysteriously.
"He did hive it, but he hain't got 1t
now. got it from i'm. blast his ugly
| pictur'"
You got it?' gasped Daniel. "Youg'
Yes made up my mind he had 1t,
an it deviled me so much that 1 de-
terInined to have 1t by hook or crook
eff 1t killed me or put me in hook the
rest o. my life Pole rose and took u
packet wrapped in brown paper from
under his rough coat and laid it on the
table near Alan. God bless you, old
boy" he said. ''thar's yore money! It's
all thar. l counted It, It's in flfties
an hundreds
Bfeathiessiy and with expanded eyes
Alan broke the string about tho packet
and opened It.
j. d.
Miller sprang UP and hooked ut the
stuck of bills, but said nothing. Abnes,
leaning forward, uttered little, low
laugh.
"You--you didn't kill I'm, did you,
Pole, Old boy-ypu didn't, did your he
asked
"Didn't harm hair of his head"
said Pole "All wanted was Alan's
money, an thar 1t ISL
well" grunted Daniel. I'm glad
you spared his life And I thank God
you got the money!
Miller was now hurriedly running
over the bills
You say yoa counted it, Baker, he
said. pale with pleased excitement
Three times-fust when'it was turn
ed over to me an twice ON the way
out heer from town"
Mrs. Bishop had not spoken until
now, standing in the shadows of the
others, as If bewildered by what seem.
ed a knocking impossibility.
rs 1t our monsy-is 1t our'n?' she
finally found voice to say. ooh. is 1t,
PoleT'
sYes'm,' replied POKE; ITS yo'rn.r
He produced crumpled piece of pa
per and handed 1t to Miller. Hers
Craig's order ON his wife fer 1t, an in
| 1t he acknowledges it's the cash depos-
tied by Mr.. Bishop He won't give
me no trouble I've got i'm fixed. He'll
leave barley III the mornin'. He's
afecrd this II git out an he'll be
lynched."
Alan was; profoundly moved. He
transferred his gaze from the money
to Poles face and leaned toward him.
You did lttout of friendship for me-"
he said his voice shaking
That's what did it fer. Alan. an
l wish could do Ii over ag'in. When
/ laid hold O. that wad an knowed 1t
was the thing you wanted more'n any
thing else, I felt like flynn"
Tell us all about it, Baker," said
Miller. wrapping up the stack of bills.
"All right" said Pole, but Mrs. Bish-
op interrupted him.
WAIT fer Alfred" she said, her voice
rising and cracking In delight. wait;
i'm run find i'm"
She went out through the dining room.
toward the stables. calling her hus-
band at every step. Alfred Oh. AL
fredw
"Heer" she heard him call out from
one of the stables.
She leaned over the fence opposite
heard his voice.
.Oh, Alfred! she called. Come
out, quick! I've got news fer YOU
big. big news!'
She heard him grumbling as he emp
tied some ears of corn into the trough
of the stall containing Alan's favorite
horse. and then with growl he emerg-
ed into the starlight.
'"That fool niger only give Alan's
boss six ears O corn" he fumed. Il
know, beca'se l counted the cobs. The
boss had licked the trough clean an
gnawed the ends o. the cobs. The Idea
o. starvin' my stock right before N.Y.
"Oh, Alfred, what do you think has
happenedr' his wife broke In. We've
got the bank money back! Pole Baker
managed somehow to get 1t. He's go
In to tell about 1t now. Come on inr'
Bishop closed the door behind him.
He fumbled with the chain and pad
lock for an instant then he moved to-
ward her, his lips hanging. his eyes
lprotruding
III believe my part O. that when" -
But" she cried, opening the gate
for him to pass through. "the moneys
thar In the house on the table; it's been
counted. say it's thar! Don't you
believe itY'
The old man moved through the gate
mechanically. He paused to fasten 1t
with the iron ring over the two posts.
But after that he seemed to lose the
power of locomotion. He stood facing
her. his features working.
"rll believe my part O. that cat-an'-
bull story when l see"
well, come In the house, them she
criad a.Yoai kin Law yo,,a hands on n