Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-01-28
CHAPTER XIII.

Now ensued a few days OF relic
and serenity for Irving Warde. Hi
footsteps were no longer logged b,
reckless rufiians. Old Tom and hi
companion, as well as the man in tn,
red flannel shirt, had disappeared
and his dreams were not disturbed
by visions of deeply dyed villains ant
resurrected pirates of the Spanish
Main. Fenton had been Industrious
ly, but quietly, at work, and his re
ports had been of highly satisfac
tory description.
Irying had not forgotten Herbert
Wright's wife and her destitute con
dition. He and Miriam had visited
her together, and part of the
money obtained from Franklin had
been placed in bank to her credit
For the first time during the year
everything had been comfortable in
her home; and it was wonderful to
see how pretty she became under
the brighter skies that spanned her
life; for Irving had assured her posi-
lively that her husband would be ac-
Quilted; and Herbert had been very
cheerful about it, too.
But how do you know he will be
acquitted?" persisted the little wo-
man.
THAT I cannot tell you now," said
Irving, "but l know that your hus-
band had no more to do with the kill
ing of Mr.. Wright than did, and the
jury will so declare. And / have more
good news for you. Your days of
trouble are over. In year from
now your husband will be one of
the wealthiest men in the state"
So Warde felt relieved on this score
also. He knew that Mrs. Wright was
amply provided for and contented,
and he devoted himself with free
conscience to Miriam, who every day
became dearer to him. They were
together great deal, for love had
kindled his spirit fame in Irving's
heart, and to make Miriam happy be-
came the guiding motive of his life.
A week after the events narrated in
the preceding chapter Irving went
out to the Wright homestead and
found Miriam in tears.
"What is the matter?" he asked,
as he gently took her hand.
"We must give up this place, and
it is very hard. 1t is true we have
not been happy here, but we were
attached to the place, for it was not
to blame"
How has this come about?"
'Col. Franklin has just notified us
that this property had been decided
to real estate company, and that
as representative of the company
he desires possession on the 1st of |
February"
so Col. Franklin imagines that he
is still alive, does he? Well, he can
go and hang himself"
"Yes, he could, but he will not.
And that would not help us any,"
Miss Miriam, don't you worry
about the colonels notification" said
Irving; ''he will never get possession
of this place, 1 promise you that"
at is very kind of you to try to
console us, but am afraid there can
be no help for it,"
''But there is help for it. did not
expect to tell you this yet, and you
must promise to let no one know of
it but your mother, and you must
pledge her also to secrecy"
swell, then, we both swear" said
Miriam.
ut is n bit of romance in it's way,
however, the triumph of
the good and the just over the evil
and the unjust"
please do go on with your story.
My appetite is sufficiently whetted."
Then Warde told her about the old
agreement and its recovery. He gave
Ter the entire story, including Mr..
Everett's adventure with Franklin.
Miriam was alternately shocked and !
and when he had concluded, !
he said: Then Col. Franklin is"
"A pirate of purest ray serene" in
errupted Irving. "For the present we |
lave quoted him by letting him sup
bose that he has us cornered. The
possession of the agreement is known I
o you, Mr.. Everett and myself. And
When your mother is told, it win be I
confined to us four"
How can we ever show our graf
tude to You for what you have }
lone?"
cit was mere accident that helped {