The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-11-09
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FACE IN THE HEDGE,

THE FACE IN THE HEDGE.
James Ellison stood before an open
safe built In the wall OF the study In
his city house. He vas examining it's
contents. and occasionally comparing
what he found with a list written down
I'm "A little book he held I'm one hand.
Now and then he sighed. while a wor-
ricd look came over his face Suddenly
at the sound OF n door being opened he
closed the safe hurriedly and turned
h knob.
''oh. it's you. is it?' with a weary
air. MS his brother entered the o
looking li~xht-hearted and debonRlr.
He went back to his seat by the desk.
and sat there with his head resting on
one hand In an attitude OF deep dejec-
ton.
Yes. it's only me-" replied the
brother. why. you started. Jimmy.
when I came In. as IL o had been n
burglar surprised In the act OF rifiing
that safe
You have an unpleasant way of
plunging In on people when you are not
expected
"Or wanted" continued the other.
with a malicious smile. as he iung
himself down into n chair and lit n
cigaret.
II thought I he'd locked the door:
I was busy with accounts"
Preparing to give an OF your
stewardship, ! suppose n Frank.
watching his brothers face. saw a
faint flush gather at h words.
THAT is my W concern" he said
testify. II hope you did not come here
TO be quarrelsome. You know We new
er could get along well together"
That vas not my fault. for l am
naturally OF n mild disposition" replied
the other. with mock esrnestness.
You happened q marry n fortune.
and then became so airy hat IL was
no longer possible for us 10 pull to-
gether In hairless. Now. rs I said be-
fore. I am glad To see n you are
preparing to give an q OF your
stewardship" James looked at his
brother m surprise.
II don't know what you are driving
at. nor do see what possible business
II II OF yours"
"A great deal OF my business. Your
daughter. When she marries. will. nat
urally, want the bulk Of the fortune.
Well. as I intend To marry her. I am
interested hat my wife should receive
her fortune intact
James Ellison laughed, but there vas
little hcariiness In IL.
You still cling To that absurd idea.
! thought the other day that you were
merely joking"
Il never joke ON such n serious sub
Ject. Apart from the fortune. find
the young charming. and I am
not too old TO appreciate the charms.
mental and physical. Of so attractive
n parsonage. ! know o will ind IL
hard to surrender the fortune, or the
biggest art OF IL. to me. but you will
have IL In the family. and that should
be a satisfaction" with n grin.
"Oh, a great satisfaction" replied
James. grimly. as he looked at his
brother keenly, To make sure hat he
was really In earnest. And Grace.
does she consider your attentions in
ans light but that OF ridicule?"
"Oh. I have not been p~reClpltate. ]
mean To win her by kindness.
since that er - or unfortunate
tragedy she In In a sympathetic mood.
and I ear do much To comfort and ron
sole her" Frank Ellison reclcd of this
speech with apparent satisfaction. as
n he was quite sure OF his ground.
And the school teacher. what OF
him?"
II don't think I need fear him any
he Is as god as done for"
You evidently are not aware OF what
has taken place" said James Ellison,
with n pleasure that he could not dis
guise.
What do you mean
why. the police have made an ar-
rest. IL In In this mornings paper"
Frank Ellison allowed the cigarei
TO fall from hts fingers. and the al
OF smiling complncency disappeared
from his face.
THE police have found an earring
Of those my poor wife was robbed