Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-05-30

And he would take no money"
That Is a poser. Didn't want n
money!"
Not a cent, even when it was offered
to him."
THAT astonishes me-what can the
I'm afraid we shall have to wait and
find out" muttered the man with his
back to the window.
And he made nc declaration Of what
he intended TO do?" asked the lawyer,
after O moments pause.
mo, nothing of the kind, except that
he seems to be interested in the young
school teacher"
Know him?"
Says he never saw him but once in
his life, but he wants him to be free for
some reason or another. Urged Jim to
do all he could, and threatened things
If he did not"
watching" was Henslow's comment as
he resorted to his glass again.
A chuckle came from the hair where
the other was seated.
BLESS you, we don't intend to lose
sight OF the chap while he is in the
| neighborhood."
Job, clinging to the window sill.
smiled quietly to himself.
Then / wasn't wrong In thinking
that / was being watched"
He had no chance to hear anything
further of what was being said in the
room, for the visitor q risen and now
moved to the door. The W. men stood
there for a moment In deep CONVERSE
ton, but though no listened iptently,
Job could not catch q word Of what
was being said.
He dropped to the ground from his
uncomfortable position, for he was anx-
ious If possible to catch O. sight Of the
visitor when he came out.
With this intention he slipped around
to the front OF the house and In the
shadow waited.
Presently the door opened quietly. a
man popped out, his hat pulled down
over his eyes, so that the eager watcher
had no opportunity TO get q good
glimpse of his lace. Then the man
stepped into the middle OF the road,
looked about him for a moment, and set
off at a brisk pace down the street.
Job Hendricks had just seen him
disappear among the shadows when
from the other direction a man u d
denly appeared, running and out Of
breath.
He was a portly individual, and as he
came up to where Job was standing the
latter recognized him as the fat con-
stable he had seen that day h~aranguins
the people before his house.
Now we are In for It," muttered he
to himself. Here is the la" In search
Of the prisoner"
The fat man drew up with a gulp and
q gasp and mopped his red face wildly
with his handkerchief.
You seem TO be excited, friend" said
Job, soothingly.
EXCITED? Well, I guess I be-" Then
looking Hendricks over from head to
foot: I'm the town constable, n
I'm lookin' for q man what has skipped
from Jail"
Sure Of it?"
How sure of It? Didn't he knock the
bars out, tho murderous young villain?
Next time / get hold Of him he shan't
have any more privileges"
There was u man just passed by
here on a rum" said Job, thinking
of a ruse that would give the school
teacher Y respite until he could
out what his plans were.
"Slim fellow In a light coat?'
Just So, and dark trousers. Come
out Of the house a minute ago. jerk
ing his thumb in the direction of the
lawyers cottage.
Must be the very man., and which
way did he go?"
Hendricks pointed in the direction
the other visitor at the cottage had
taken.
The constable sighed and mopped
his brow vigorously.
'Phew! This Is a job 1 amt no
to the only gentleman criminal we
ever had to town. Well, so long,
stranger, and thank you kindly"
Then, with q mighty groan, he set
off on q run in the direction pointed
out. JOB could not resist a laugh
at the grotesque figure the man
made as he disappeared In the night.
He turned just in time to see young
Barnett come out through the gate.
For a moment the latter hesitated,
and then, recognizing his visitor in
the moonlight, advanced:
What, are you still here?" he
asked, rather testify.
Exactly, and 1t seems that I was
just In time to save you from being
captured"
What do you mean?"
Job told him OF his meeting with
the constable and hoW he had sent
that worthy off on the trail Of an
other man.
well, you are q wonder" replied
Dick, at the same time puzzled that
a stranger had twice that day put
him under obligations. Still the
poor man might as we'll have aiken
me now as later
II wanted you to have all the time
pOSSlDle lOI yOuI ldIhs i AAoJ ~ V
that you will not have the chance
again so soon."
Barnett's face fell and he became
more serious.
you think, then, it will go hard
with me for taking leave as I did?"
mo doubt OF It, but why go back?
You might remain in hiding until
your name Is cleared Of the charge"
But the other shook his head.
ono No. that would lnnlK nc ~ II
were guilty. Come, I think a
slip back to the improvised cell, re-
store the bars and pretend hat I
have never been away from 1t. I
dare say that the good Mr.. Blivens
will be so delighted to see me that
he will not care to make the matter
public"
IF you trusted to me, you might
never need to go back" said Job.
You are kind, but I think 1 shall
be acting for the best part in going
back. 1t will appear In my favor
should 1t become known that I could
have freed myself, n yet remained
a prisoner" Then, before Hendricks
could reply, Barnett turned and
made off in the direction Of his tenn
porary prison.
Good stuff in that young chap"
Job, as he watched the
slight figure disappear in the dark.
Justice will be blind, indeed, if she
errs in dealing with such an honest
and right-minded man as that"
AS he turned away q light APP
peared in the upper window Of the
house, and for a moment the figure
of a woman was outlined on the
Opaque curtain. He stood there with
hands watching the silhou-
cite, motionless, for al hour or
more, and Their turned with q sigh
to seek his bed at the Bluebell.
CHAPTER X.
JUST A PIECE OF PAPER.