Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-03-12

81 happened up to visit you the other
day at Exton, and found that you
had departed, bag and baggage, and
had left no address"
ct left one, of course-for my
friends" began Ellison, who had
now recovered some of his sang
froid
Then you don't count me among
your friends"
ST can't say do"
''You will find that shall stick
closer to you than brother-not to
say a friend, until I have had my
way" replied Job, calmly. The
speech seemed to wake Ellison out
of his lethargy, and he came over
to the place where Job was seated
and glared at him with flashing eyes.
''Do YOU mean to threaten me?" he
clustered.
''Not at all"
ct know who you are-certain
things have happened since we last
met. I know now that [ have moth
ing to fear from YOU"
''Then why so excited" and Job
covered his mouth with a red hand
as if to conceal smile. "You know
all about me, Ell? I suppose you
learned it from the sneal1ing gentle
man who just came out of your
room? Strange that a man of your
apparent good sense should put any
confidence in the maunderings of a
hangdog-loolzing fellow like that!
Don't you see, man, that he would
not hesitate to lie if he thought he
could support his position and have
a claim on your purse"
Ellison began to think that he had
been going ahead too rapidly. Job
did not seem to be afraid of anything
he spoke confidently.
eff you think that I was running
away through fear Of you, you are
very much mistaken" he said, after
a moments pause. Gas for the in
formation I have received, I believe
it is true"
He was surprised when Hendricks
leaned back in his chair and burst
out laughing. His laugh was so
hearty that for a moment the other
seemed disconnected, and strobe
away to the window to try and col
lect his thoughts by staring out on
the street.
81 should very much like to know
what your secret bureau (and have
reason to know that you have one)
thinks about me. Any information
on the subject cheerfuIly received,
as they say when they advertise for
missing heirs" And Hendricks
laughed again.
His manner, his hooking tone,
seemed to anger Ellison more than
anything else, for he started away
from the window, and, shaking
warning finger at his visitor, said:
'You are an escaped convict, and
as such amenable to the law. What
is there to prevent me from opening
the window and calling an officer and
giving you in charge
Job shrugged his shoulders, and
laughed softly.
81 don't see why you should con-
suit me if you want to do foolish
action. By all means, if it pleases,
call out of the window, or from the
housetop, for any one you please"
Ellison for moment eyed him in
amazement. Could the story he had
heard about this man be true, or had
he been deceived. Certainly Job did
not behave like a man who was
afraid of being arrested, or of any
thing else. The banker found him
self confronted by an enigma that,
with all his knowledge of men and
things, he was at a loss how to solve.
"You we're saying something about
poking your head out of the window
and calling for policeman said
Job, who seemed to enjoy the others
discontinue. ''Why didn't you think
of it a few moments earlier, when
that young jail bird was closeted
with you?"
Ellison did not reply at once for
fear he might make misstep, but
bit his lips to hide his chagrin and
Oh Ills nCCly Wdlhcu away
the smiling face of the man he had
thought he had no further reason
to fear.
'"rhe young man is still confined
in jail and without bail. I will give
you the credit, Ellison, of having
done what you could to set him
free" said Job, pursuing another
subject.
II ought to be very much obliged"
and the banker bowed with an air
of grim irony.
Certainly you deserve the compli-
ment, and it is not in me to withhold
it from you
81 thank you again"
"And your daughter, what of her?"
asked Job, after moments silence.
"What business have YOU" be-
gan Ellison, but the other checked
him by simple gesture.
'You are not talking to the gal