Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-07-04

out she Will never forget Bdrnett.
YOU don't know what q will that little
woman possesses" said James. ITO
tell the truth, 1 would rather see her
his wife than yours"
1t was well that he did not notice
the expression of anger that came over
MS brothers face as he said this, for
1t was not pleasant, put Frank could
control his features, and the cloud was
but a passing one.
I thank o for your good opinion.
perhaps IL l a been favored by for
tune In capturing an heiress I might
nave lived as virtuous a life as you"
with a sneering %intonation in his
| voice.
Now, that you are frank enough In
saying that you prefer the school
teacner TO me, l will give o a piece of
interesting news"
James regarded the other with a GER
tain uneasiness, wondering If 1t were
well that he should anger him.
L nave made arrangements that can
not fail to get hold of that agreement"
"Ah!"
When It is in my possession I shall
be In a position to dictate terms. You
VIII be interested in helping me in
TINS marriage, because otherwise /
should be tempted to make the paper
public, n then every penny you have
In the world will go to your wife's re-
%latives."
James Ellison was silent, wishing
that he had not provoked his brother.
But, after all, this might be mere
bravado.
When can you prove beyond doubt
mat the paper is In your possession"
he said, cautiously, I'VE may be able
TO come to an arrangement"
We'll, 1 expect in a few days to
snow you that l am not building a
house of cards" And then, going over
10 his brother, he laid his hand on his
arm. I'm the meantime, Jimmy, 1 am
sure that you will not resort to any
double dealing that would prejudice
my case"
For a second their eyes met, but
IL vas James Ellison who first looked
away.
II Will do nothing for a week." HI
said. Then 1 will act as 1 wish"
"A week be It," replied Frank. And
where is Grace now?"
Il hin you will find her in the gar
den. Now, don't make yourself absurd.
Q know the poor child has had trou-
bic enough of late"
Don't fear that I shall do anything
to make her unhappy. 1 can be very
agreeable when 1 wish" And he went
out n left his brother alone.
III he really could get hold Of the
paper he might have the upper hand Of
me- said James Ellison TO himself.
Unless" n he cast an anxious look
In the direction Of the safe, unless the
fortune could be placed out Of his
reach. Without that he would never
care TO marry. 1t is the money that
he wants, and nothing more. BAH"
with an angry gesture. Rather than
throw her In the arms Of such a ras-
cal, I-I-but pshaw! What am I
talking about? She loves the other,
ana this cunning rogue could never win
her In a century" And comforted by
thls thought, he went to work again at
his accounts.
Frank Ellison was smiling to himself
as he made his way down the stairs,
as II something amused him greatly,
Birds In their little nests agree"
he quoted, but not birds of prey! How
James would like to show me the door,
If he was not afraid of what / might
do. 1t is pleasant to think that l shall
soon have a weapon in hand that will
Keep him, If rightly used. in subjec-
ton. 1t Is mighty unfortunate hat
man should have been captured. It
complexities matters and makes my
work doubly hard"
He entered the garden, which.
though small, contained some fine old
trees, and under the shadow Of these
a young girl was seated. She had a
book in her lap, but did not appear to
be reading. A sombre and pathetic
figure In her dull, black dress.
Now, then, look pleasant" he said
to himself as, at the sound Of his steps
on the gravel, she arose and came to-
ward aim.
Il can see that you have heard the
good news" she said. You show it in
your face"
Il must have a very speaking face,
then, my dear" as he took her hand
and pressed 1t warmly. What Is the
good news that you refer to?"
why, surely papa must have told
your" Then, as he did not seem to I'M
destand, why, they have found the
possible for them to hold poor Dick
any longer"
THE deuce! She can think of moth
ing but that fellow" murmured Eli
son, under his breath, but he took care
that she should not see hat the sub
ject was unpleasant to him.
Your father certainly did not men,
ton that a suspect had been captured
by the police, but II seems the fellow
~strenuously denies his guilt, and, for
all we know, may be able to prove an
alibi. So our friend, the school
teacher, is far from being q free man
as yet"
ooh, dear, and 1 thought that the
worst was over her eyes growing
dim.
well, we can only hope for the
best" he said soothingly, for he saw
that to keep in her good graces it
would not do to show any antagonism
toward Barnett. IT am afraid, though,
that in their eagerness the police have
seized upon a poor man who has only
his previous bad record against him.
II young Barnett is innocent, he will
get free. The law seldom makes q mis-
take. In the meantime l would not
brood SO much on the subject. You
ought to get away from yourself and
your thoughts more. Come, what do
you say to a drive this afternoon. I'm
sure it would do you good"
"Oh, as If 1 could enjoy anything
when l know that poor Dick is deprived
of every comfort, it would only serve to
remind me of his miserable position"
Frank bit his lip, for a good round
oath was on his tongue.
But, my dear" gently, "you owe it
to your father-to me-no to give way
in this manner. You are getting more
pale n ghostly day by day, and will
end by ~collapsing completely. You
must make an effort-fght against
living such a moody life, take some in
terest in things, or you will go mad
through melancholy"
II can't take interest in anything but
Dick fate" she replied tearfully. IF
you want to see me any different, why
you must set him free; hat is the only
thing that will make me wish to change
my ways of living"
What can 1 do to kill this infatua-
tion?" Frank was thinking. THE child
has become a perfect monomaniac on
the subject" Just as this was passing
through his mind she suddenly seized
his arm and pointed toward the hedge
that ran around the garden.
Look there. Do you see it?"
"What?" staring at the place
pointed out.
"A face! The face Of that strange