The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-06-26
smo Ming in the air, watching

it fade into nothingness with a
dreamy expression, as if in deep
thought.
'Well, it is an enigma to me-" re-
piled James Ellison. "Why shouldn't
I do what can to help a young man
whom have protected, and who GER
tainly is not guilty of the crime
they accuse him of?"
eff I were as impolite as you, I
should address the same remark to
you as you applied to me but a mo-
ment ago." replied Frank, with
drawl. eff you want me to do what
you have directed-to find this
fellow who calls himself Hendricks,
to get possession of the document of
adoption have but this to say:
will do it on one condition"
"And that is?"
"That you leave matters as they
are, and don't attempt to interfere
with the course of the law"
James Ellison leaned oover the
table and eyed his brother for a mo-
ment anxiously.
What on earth are you trying to
get through your head. 1 should like
| to know"
Frank Ellison shook the ashes of
his cigarette, and responded, with a
smile:
II believe you are the thick-headed
| one in this instance. I say that you
must stop your interference in this
affair. I acknowledge that, as the
bereaved husband, you are anxious
to protect the accused, and to find
the real-er-er-unfort who
secured you the fortune"
James Ellison laid his hand on his
brothers shoulder, and the look on
his face was far from pleasant as he
said:
"You know that I had nothing to
do with that"
Nobody said that you had, and yet
it has turned out well for you, after
ALL" and Frank blew big puff of
smoke into the air. 81 believe the
late Mrs. Ellison had a tight fist,
and that it was hard to get her to
sign cks-there-there," as he saw
that his brother appeared to be deep
ly moved, 81 don't want to open a
fresh wound, but, at the same time,
L am stating cold facts. I am cold,
| unfeeling person, as you have prob
ably discovered before this"
SIN Heavens name, what do you
want, man? wish you would be
| quick about it!''
The other coolly tossed his cigar
cite in the crate before answering,
then he looked at his brother a mo-
ment, and gave vent to loud laugh.
"Why, / never saw you SO much
moved in my life," said he.
II want to know what you mean?"
"You mean you want to know what
my terms are for securing that doc
ument and otherwise suppressing in
a gentle manner the little man who
has been annoying you"
eyes"
1.-The renunciation of all attempts
to help young Barnett"
Anything else?" and James Ellison
eyed his brother, as if he was in fear.
of what he would say next.
81 think that is about all for the
present" said the other, calmly.
I'm fact, should like things to go
against him, if possible" continued
L
way,
"You puzzle me more and MORE"
murmured James Ellison.
''Why not come out fiat with what
you mean?"
"Ah," replied the other, with a
laugh, 81 surprise you, do L? Well, 1
am a fellow of infinite variety, as
you might have discovered long ago,
if misfortune had not separated us
| or, rather, fortune in your case di-
vided u.s.,
81 am waiting to hear what you
have to say" replied James, who now
ences to his fortune
"Well, I have taken great fancy
to your daughter, and 1 don't mean,
if I can help it, that this young clod-
hopper shall have her."
Ellison rose, and, while his lips
moved, not a word came from them.
Frank, seeing how perturbed he was,
broke into a noisy laugh.
"Why so surprised, my excellent
brother? She is not your daugh-
ter, and, after all, there are cases of
an uncle marrying his niece. I might
ada to the list of freak marriages.
Now, the case stands in this light,
and you may look as Mortified as you
please. It is my desire to marry the
girl-to stop your amiable interior
eRces with the course the law is TAX
ing. II you refuse, why so much
the worse for you. Who knows but
may go over to the other side,"
and, with a malicious smile, he left
the room, while his brother, as if
stricken with sudden palsy, stared
after him, unable to utter a world
CHAPTER XIV.