Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-05

these TWO men, whose pdUnS 1dy 80
wide apart" He drew a long breath,
as if to add emphasis to what he was
going to say. ELLISON had married
a short time before a rich woman,
but her fortune was in her own
hands, and if she died childless, it
was all to go to her relations. All,
T 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. Ellison at once sat up in his
chair with a jerk and assumed an
air of Indifference. eff there was a
child that survived, then the money
was to remain in the fathers hands
in trust. It was just about the time
of Fra1e's trouble that the Ellison
baby died, while the mother was in
= dangerous illness"
The last words, innocent enough
in themselves, seemed to excite the
banker beyond control, for he rose,
and going over. laid his hand on his
visitors arm.
WHO dIc .yOu! 11OW O1d yOu SO1AAO
to know all this?" he demanded.
81 am known by the unattractive
title of Job Hendricks" was the I'M
perturbed reply. GAS to how | came
to know this bit of family history
I NAV have had it from Frale him
self, or procured it from his heirs
and assignees. But why do you in
91nfn t170cr
part of my story?"
Ellison skunk, rather than walked,
back to his chair, into which he sank
with a sigh.
"The father was in predicament.
He saw the fortune taking wings.
It was just at this juncture that his
former friend, Frale, appeared on
the scene with the request that he
should take charge of his infant
daughter, as he had an appointment
with the government. Ellison was
never SO glad to see his shabby ex-
friend as on this occasion. The pa
pers drawn up, he adopted the infant
as his own. There was an important
clause that the father might claim
his daughter when he was free, in
30 years or more, or whenever his
sentence was served. Ellison agreed
readily to this, for there were many
things that might happen to man
in prison-iail fever or other NAL
aides; he might even happily be
shot when he attempted to escape.
The latter would have pleased Ell
lison most Then, with money, it was
possible to trace and destroy the pa
pers showing the adoption; in short,
this philanthropic man, who had
taken in the child of criminal, had
every chance of coming out ahead
in his benevolent game"
Now that Ellison was acquainted
with the chief parts of the story, he
recovered his equanimity and com
posture quickly. AS he believed he
had to deal with cunning blackmail-
er, who had somehow come into pos
session of the secret of his life, and
as he had plenty of money, it would
not be a hard matter to buy him off,
"Well," said Hendricks, smiling in
his beard, for he guessed what
thought was passing through the
bankers mind. "Mrs. Ellison re-
covered, and found her child living
and well. That is how Frale's daugh-
ter-the vagabond's brat-became an
heiress, and the fortune of the
family was fixed to remain forever
in James Ellison's possession"
Ellison did not answer at once, but,
swinging round in his chair, took
checkbook out of his desk, dipped his
pen in the ink, and said: "How much
money do you want?''
He received only laugh for an
answer.
81 said, How much money do you
want?'" Grritated).
"Well, I want something, but /
don't want money. You seem to have
had experience with Matchmaking
schemes, you fly to your checkbook
in such hurry"
Ellison closed the book, and flung it
in his desk angrily.
''It is hard to keep my temper with
YOU. Now state your wants"
81 think we are beginning to I'M
derstand each other" said Hen
bricks, blandly. mo doubt, in the
end, we shall be very good friends.
"No doubt"
The facts are these: ] am inter
ested in the fortune Of this young
school-teacher, who has been held on
the charge of being an accessory to
the tragedy. Now, the young man is
innocent"
'.You seem to be omniscient," re
piled Ellison, with palpable sheer.
"Never mind that. 1t is absurd
to think that he could be guilty.
Now, you will oblige me, and am
sure I can count on your help to set
him free"
The banker could hardly conceal
his pleasure at the turn things had
now taken. Evidently he had to deal