Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-05-30
CHAPTER TX.
THE PRISONER DECIDES TO RE-
TURN.

TURN.
Job had left the scene. Hidden from
view, he was q delighted watcher OF
the meeting or the two young people
He seemed to take almost n parental
pleasure in Witnessing the tender
demonstrations OF feelings between the
lovers. though he had discreetly with
drawn to a distance, where he could
not hear what they said to each other
He seems to be a worthy young man
and she loves him; that is plain and
evident" was the thought that ran
through his mind. such being the
case, they can count on my help to
make the path Of true love run
smooth"
He stood in deep thought, making
plans for the future. The two young
people had drawn away from the house,
n now, seated under the big tree
were talking in n low voice.
Job took advantage of their preoc-
cupation to slip way to the path by
which he had entered the garden. Since
the young man had escaped, 1T would
be well that some one should be on
guard, for perhaps the burly constable
might come In quest Of him, and, stupid
as the fellow seemed to be, 1t would
be Henslow's house hat he would seek
for his prisoner.
The young mans sudden appearance
had rather dlsarranged Jobs plans,
and 1t was necessary that he should
rearrange them to meet the ~exigencies
OF h case.
His meditations were disturbed by
hearing his name uttered In a low
voice, just as he was passing one of
the low windows Of the house. The
shutters were fastened, but a pale light
filtered through the Stats. He stopped
for a moment, rubbing his nose
thoughtfully. Am I a subject of talk
already in this town." he muttered.
Guess I'll have to look into this. When
you're brought up for discussion, Job,
1t may mean trouble"
He looked at the window, the sill Of
which was almost on q level with his
head, for a moment, and then, reach
ing out his hands, drew himself up
with ease, so that he could look d.
rectly into the room. There was no
place on the ledge for anything but
his fingers, yet, owing to his great
strength, he was able to maintain him
self in that position with ease, as If he
had been standing on the ground. AT
first It seemed that the room into which
he was looking was unoccupied, owing
to the dimneSs OF the light which came
from a.lamp burning on q table In the
center. AS his eyes became accus-
toned to the surroundings he gradually
made put that there were two men
seated near the table. one facing him
and one in q big armchair with his
back to the window.
When for a moment one of the men
leaned forward and he caught a
glimpse of a white beard, he knew 1t
was Henslow; as for the other, only
the top Of his head was visible. The
latter was no doubt the person he had
seen slipping into the house in such a
surreptitious n
IT shouldn't wonder If the fellow was
an imposter," Henslow was saying,
and I should treat him as SUCH"
Listeners hear no good Of them
selves. / think the rule will hold good
in this case" Job said to himself, hav-
ing no doubt thai he was the subject
of the discussion.
What the lawyers visitor said he
could only make out in part, since the
latter spoke in such a low voice. He
could distinguish such fragments of
sentences as almost threatened"
seemed sure of his ground" knew the
whole affair"
Henslow was silent for a moment,
and took a sip from a glass of wine at
elbow.
itor was Martin Frale, for he Is dead"
he said, at length.
"Sure of that2"
Had 1t from the prison authorities
themselves"
Then who is this mann" The other
raised his voice, and spoke in a more
animated way.
Henslow shrugged his shoulders.
II wish I was able to tell you, because
I am glad to do Ellison any service.
Must be @ feHow-convtct to whom
Frale communicated the story before
he died. No doubt he wants to trade on
the information"
That's likely enough. but he must