The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-09-21


who are your How did you come
TO know all this7" he demanded.
II am known by the unattrsctive
perturbed reply. "As 10 how I came
TO know this bit Of family history
I may have hae II from Frale him
self. or procured ~ from his heirs
and assignees. But why do you In
terrupt me In the most interesting
part OF my story"
Ellison skunk. rather than walked.
back 90 his chair. into which he sank
with q Sigh.
The father was In n ~prcdicament.
He saw the fortune taking wings.
former friend. Fraie. appeared on
he scene with the request that he
should take charge of his infant
daughter. as he had an appointment
with the government. Ellison was
never 90 glad TO zee his shabby ex-
friend as on this occasion. The pa
pers drawn up. he adopted the infant
AZ his own. There was an important
clause that the father might claim
his daughter when he was free. In
twenty years or more. or whenever his
sentence was served. Ellison agreed
readily TO this. for there were many
things that might happen TO n man
In prison-jaii fever or other NAL
aides: he might even happily be
shot when he attempted TO escape.
TIE latter would have pleased Ell
,ison most. Then. with money. II was
possible to trace and destroy the pa
pers showing the adoption; In short.
his p~hilanthropic man. who had
taken In the child OF n criminal. had
every chance Of coming out ahead
I'm his benevolent game"
Now hat Ellison was acquainted
with the chief parts OF the story. he
recovered his eauanimity and COM
posture quickly. As he believed he
had TO deal with a cunning blackmaii-
or. who had somehow come into pos
session OF the secret OF his life. and
as he had plenty OF money. II would
not be a hard matter 20 buy him OF.
WELL" said Hendricks. smiling In
his beard. for he guessed what
thought was passing through the
covered. and found her child living
and well. That In how Fraie's daughter
the vagabond's brat-became an heir
ess. and the fortune OF h family was
fixeo TO remain forever In James Eli
son's possession"
Ellison did not answer NJ once. but
swinging round In his chair. took n
chccSbook out OF his desk. dipped his
pein In the ink and said: How much
money do you want?"
He received only a laugh for an
answer.
II said. How much money do you
want?'" Cirritated).
"weii. I want something. but !
don't want money. You seem TO have
had experience with matchmaking
schemes. you ny to your checkbook
In such n hurry"
Ellison closed the book. and flung II
I'm his desk angrily.
1T IL hard 20 keep my temper with
you. Now state your wants"
II think we nrc beginning TO un-
derstand zach other" said Hen
bricks, biandiy. mo doubt. I'm the
end. we shall be very good friends.
NO doubt"
"The facts are these: I am inter-
ested In the fortune OF this young
school teacher. who has been held OF
the charge OF being accessory To the
tragedy. Now. the young man is In
nocent."
You seem TO be omniscient." re-
piled Ellison. with "A palpable sneer.
Never mind that. IL IL absurd
Now. you will oblige me. and I am
saAN y - tt1hN VIZ sSeh hNAB ~ 80
him free"
The banker could. hardly conceal his
pleasure at the turn things q now
taken. Evidently he had TO deal with
a man who was not going TO be un-
reasonable.
II am sure that I have always had
a liking for the young man." he said,
II was the means OF his coming here,
and i supported the hoo out OF
my own purse. Now. even II you had
not asked me, I should have lost nc
time In doing all I could for him."
He said this with an air OF f~rankness
but the other eyed him for "a moment
with n certain distrust.
You are a relation OF Barnettsy
asked Ellison. uneasy under that un-
compromising glance.
mo. never saw the fellow but once
IA my life. But I nave made up my
mind that he IL Innocent n I want
him free. You have money-use IL
Hello. What's the matte= now" tor
the banker had been staring out OF tbs
window. and then stepped forward and
made a quick gesture as n TO some one
In the garden.
Hendricks had slipped forward, and
pecred out behind his back. He was
Just In time 10 see a man dodge behind
a tree. The one glance was enough FOL
him TO see that the Fellow vas ven
ragged and unkempi. then he was gone
He returned noiselessly To his place
just as Ellison turned. The latter found
his unlimited guest seated with his face
resting on his hand. evidently In deeI
meditation.
you may have been surprised at m,
rushing TO the window In such an NIB.
rupt way" explained the banker. "Yot
see. we are overrun with ~neighbors
children. who come In ms steal iow'
e.s from the garden. Now. I shuuldn'
mind that. II they wouldn't trampl,
down the beds and ruin everything.
saw them at II again just now. and whi
moved 20 anger. You see7"
"-es. I Sec" replied h worthy Hen
dii xa. regarding he other out OF tn
corner OF his eye. To himself he said
What is the use OF this elaborate lie
unless there IL something serious n
h mans sudden appearance which
he foes O care about others knowing
A cunning knave thls-surely."
CHAPTER VI.
I'VE SHALL BOTH GO DOWN TO,
GETHER."
ny the way" said Hendri,ks. aftc.