Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-09-26

And It's not favorable, = said Alan
bravely. II can see that by your
looks" i s5ss.@ XIX III. -,.s, =. b
Miller glanced at his mare and dashed
the leg of his top boots with his rid
ing whip. mo; l have bad news. but
it's not about the railroad. could
have written, but thought I'd better
come myself"
"Adele!" gasped Mrs. Bishop. you
have heard
mo; she's WELL" said Miller. Its
about the money you put in Craig's
bank"
"What about that?' burst from old
Bishops startled lips.
''Craig claims Winship has abscond-
ed with all the cash. The bank has
failed"
"Failedv' The word was a moan
from Bishop, and for a moment no one
spoke. A negro woman at the wash
place behind the house was using a
batting stick on some clothing, and the
dull blows came to them distinctly.
''Is that so, Rayw asked Alan, calm
but pale to the lips.
'I'm sorry to say It is"
"Can anything at all be done?"
1--WE done everything possible al
ready. We have been telegraphing the
Atlanta police all morning about tac-
ing Winship, but they don't seem much
interested. They think he's had too
big start on us. You see. he's been
gone two days and nights. Craig says
he thought he was on visit to rela-
tives till he discovered the loss last
night"
1T simply spells ruin, old man." said
Alan grimly. II can see that"
Miller said nothing for a moment,
then:
tits just as bad as 1t could be, my
boy" he said. Il see no reason to
raise false hopes. There is strong
feeling against Craig and no little sus-
picion owing to the report that he has
been specializing heavily, but he has
thrown himself on the protection of
his church, and even some of his fel-
low members, who lose considerably,
are standing by him."
Here old Bishop, with compressed
lips, turned and walked unsteadily in
to the house. With head hanging low
and eyes flashing strangely, his wife
followed him. At the steps she paused,
her sense Of hospitality transcending
her despair. "You must stay to early
supper anyway, Mr.. Miller" she said.
You could ride back in the cool O. the
evening".
''Thank you, but must hurry right
back, Mrs. Bishop" Miller said.
"And Dolly-does she knowY' asked
Alan, when his mother had disap-
peared and Abner had walked to the
hitching post and stood as if thought
fully inspecting Miller's mare. Miller
told him of their conversation that
morning, and Alan's face grew tender
and more resigned.
''She's brickv' said Miller. "She's
a woman now believe in thoroughly
she and one other"
''Then there is another?' asked Alan
almost cheerfully, as an effect of the
good news that had accompanied the
bad.
Eyes. I see things somewhat differ
emily Of late" admitted Miller in an
evasive, noncommittal tone. dolly
Barclay opened my eyes, and when
they were open I saw-well, the good
qualities of some one else. I may tell
you about her some day, but l shall
not now. Get your horse and come to
town with me. We must be ready for
any emergency"
Abner Daniel came toward them. IL
don't want to harm nobody's charac-
ter" he said, "but whar my own kin is
is concerned I'm up an wide awake.
don't know what you think, but
hain't got a speck O. faith in Craig
hisse'f. He dog me low, sneakin'
trick once that ketched up with. He
swore it was " mistake, but it wasn't.
He's bad egg-you mind what say;
he won't do"
1T may be as you say, Mr.. Daniel"
returned Miller, with a lawyers re-
serve on point unsubstantiated by
evidence, "but even if he has the mon
ey hidden away, how are we to get it
from him?'
'I'd find a way" retorted Daniel
holly, $50 I would"
"We'n do all we can," said Miller.
Daniel strobe into the house, and
AlanlWent after his horse. Miller stood
at the gate, idly tapping his boot with
his whip.
"Poor Mrs. Bishop" he said, his eyes
on the house. How very much she
resembled Adele just now, and she is
bearing it just like the little girl would.
l reckon they'll write her the bad
news. I wish l was there to-soften
the blow. 1t will wiring her heart"
That evening after supper the family
remained till bedtime In the big, bare
looking dining room, the clean, polished
floors of which cleaned in the light of
a little fire in the big chimney. Bish-
ops chair was tilted back against the
wall in dark corner, and Mrs. Bishop
sat knitting mechanically. Abner was
reading-or trying to read-a weekly
nanQr at the end Of tho dining table