Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-11-06

On Wednesday morning the. glrls
had been at their box as usual, but
they did not come into the yard TO
pick In the afternoon. About three,
o'clock. as Rossiter was stripping
pole in that portion of the field near
est the house, he caught sight OF. Miss
Merton Fastening towards him.
+ Where is Jack-Mr. Parmelee ?'
she called, much perturbed, as soon
as she came within speaking dis
lance.
Rossiter looked about but could see
nothing of the farm manager. FL
naIIy, however, he deserted him en-.
gagged in emptying a box of hops in
remote part of the field.
There he is" he said, way out
yonder."
ooh, won't you go and fetch him?
I'm all out Of breath. AND hurry, do,
for what have to tell him may be
very important"
Rossiter set out at sharp run, and
presently he and Parmelee came back
together. The poie-pul1er was about
to retire when Miss Merton stopped
him.
wont you listen, too, Mr.. Rossi-
trouble perhaps you can help u.s.
He acquiesced, and the two men
stood regarding the girl in expecta-
ton and wonder.
First tell me-" she said, addressing
Parme1ee, IF Simpson is in the yard.
for if he is, perhaps I've had my
fright for nothing"
.'Simpson!" exclaimed Parmelee;
mo, he's not. I've been Iookin' for
hi1n this long time. I sent him over
to the kiln on an errand more than
half an hour ago."
''Then I'm afraid there's something
wrong" said Miss Merton, growing
more agitated, land, oh, wish I'd
come sooner! 1 happened to go out
on the porch while ago." she went
on, speaking rapidly, 'and saw a man
running far down i'll the lower or
chard. He stopped under tree, and
then I noticed there were two other
men there. [ thought they were
some of the pickers after apples-you
know they're in the habit of getting
them-and didn't pay much more at
tention, but when I got@back in the
house it came to me that the first
man seemed like Simpson, and that
one of the others, though, of course,
1 couldn't really see much at that dis
lance, had a face like that creature
who frightened us at the hop-dance
I went out to look again and they
were gone, so [ came to the cOncIu-
sion that they must have leaped the
fence and taken a short cut back to
the yard, but when I got to thinking
about it later, / couldn't help feeling
that it was strange, so I hurried over
to tell you"
Parmelee pursed his lips and
seemed incredulous.
eff it want for Simpsons alb
sence," said he, 81 should set all this
down as foolishness. Miriam
Wasn't Simpson by when father
started for Hintonville?'' she asked,
land didn't he hear father speak
about going to the bank for money
to pay the pickers, and say he meant
to return by Blue Creek road because
he wanted to speak with Ezra Merri-
man a minute?''
HE was there, by the Eternal!'
cried Parme1ee, for he brought the
horse OUT
''And you know Simpson owes ia
Their a grudge for having him dis
charged last spring. Father said he
never would have let you take him
back if help hadn't been so scarce"
continued Miss Merton, growing more
animated.
IF there's anythin' wrong" said
Parmelee, now awakening to the pos
sible seriousness of the situation.
''we're losin' valuable time. You'll
Gomez" he asked, turning to Rossiter.
I'D rather have you along than any
one else 1 know"
I'm at your service" said Rossiter.
''You find Dick Whittlesey, Miriam,
and tell him to hitch on te the light
wagon with the yellow gear, and drive
towards Merriman's by the Blue
Creek road as fast as he can. Well
go across lots. If anythin's goin' to
happen it'll be at the Dip
Parmelee had suddenly thought of
the remains of the fire which Ros-
sitter and Becraft had seen near this
depression in the road
'You know Sylvia went with IA
ther," said Miss Merton as she hur-
ried away.
by thunder, SO she did," cried
Parmelee.
Rossiter's face grew very grave at
this news.
''You haven't revolver. have you?''
he asked.
NO; wish to heaven I had.'' ex-
claimed the farm manager. There's
a shotgun at the kiln, but it's so
heavy it'd be more hindranee than
use.''
Parmelee paused long enough at
the barn to catch I'D the ox-road