Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-05-07

have to tell me-" he said; "some bits Of
ancient history Did you force your
way in for that? Tell me-" recovering
his arrogant manner.
Yes; 1t was exactly to rehearse some
bits of ancient history that I came to
see You, James Ellison returned the
visitor, at the same time fixing his
bright eyes on the others face.
For moment their glances met, but
it was not the visitor who retired first
from the contest of staring each other
out of countcnance. Ellison looked
down at the floor, twiddling his thumbs
and twisting uneasily in his chair
There was something in the manner of
his unlimited guest that made him
him out, and have done with him.
You had certain interesting trans
action with this Frale near seventeen
years ago." began the stranger.
Certainly, but what of those old
times? In the first place, the man we
are speaking about is dead" and in
saying this he seemed to feel a certain
satisfaction.
How do you know he is deado"
"F.h, what's that" this time staring
at the little man as if he would read
the secrets of his heart.
Il say, how do YOU know he is dead?
Did YOU. ever take any great pains to
find out ?"
Il heard it on pretty good authority"
sullenly. Then, his voice rising, II WISH
you would be kind enough to come to
the point. and NOT be beating around
the bush in this djstressful manner
1T don't distress me a Bit and the
little man smiled. .Wcli, since YOU
wish 1t, We will come TO the point. II
ii pleases YOU to have it so, Frae is
dead, though ! would not be willing to
swear to such a statement
Go on.
"rrale. these many years ago, became
involved in robbery. A factory ii Was,
and the foreman happened unfo.tu-
nately 10 be killed. l'rale was supposed
TO be guilty. He managed al the time
to escape. He came TO you--''
oh, why tell me everything that
know already" said the bunker testify
4 thought perhaps you had for
point. The object in Erale's escape
was TO flnd a home for his baby
daughter 1t seems that he had been
reduced TO robbery because he was
a ruined man, and his wife had need
OF surgical aid which he could not pro-
cure for her.
Ellison tried not to appear inter-
ested, but he did not venture to warn
the other again not to repeat mat
Indeed, he could not keep his eyes
off the little mans face as he told
his story in a calm and dispassionate
way.
Now we are coming to The most
interesting period in the lives of
these tow men, whose paths lay 50
wide apart. He drew a long breath,
as il TO add emphasis to what he was
going to say. ELLISON had married
a short time before rich woman.
but her fortune was in her own
hands, and If She died childless, 1t
was all to go to her relations. All,
I thought you would be Interested
sooner or later for while he was
saying this, Ellison had leaned over,
and his heavy breathing could be
distinctly heard in the silence of the
room llll.son at once sat up in his
chair with jerk and assumed an
air of Indifference. IF there was a
child that survived, then the money
was to remain in The fathers hands
in trust. 1t was just about the time
of lrale's trouble that the Ellison
baby aied while the mother WAS in
4 dangerous illness"
the last words, innocent enough
in then!selvos, seemed to excite the
banker fayoad control, for he rose,
and going over. laid his hand on his
visitors arm.
(Contnued Next Week)