The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-25

why, when so many steep hills had
been travelled, he was still urged on;
but when, jaded ana worn, the two
finally reached Lowell. the Registry of
Deeds was closed. Ezra's voice was
unsteady as he asked concerning the
arrival OF the last train from Edgcomb.
He found that it was in, but il, TOO.
had arrived after the registry hours.
His chance still remained.
He saw to his horses comfort; but
for himself there was 10 sleep that
night. Too much hung in the Y dance.
With the first rays Of dawn he was
walking about the street, waiting for
the appointed hour.
He turned his steps toward the best
hotel in the place. and lounged near at
breakfast time, but did not see the
face he sought among the guests
Suppose the strangers deed had al
ready been recorded before that ex-
perimental visit to Edgeomb. Ezra
set his teeth.
But clock drew on. He dared
llnger no longer near the hotel. and
moved away toward the Court House.
The hour sounded from the steeple,
The bell electrified him and he hurried
on; but suddenly a sight more moving
still caught his view. A weil-dressed
man. whom Fairfax recognized only
too certainly, had just ascended the
steps and was entering the registry
Office. For an instant things turned
black before the tired man: then be
nerved himself, slouched his hat over
his eyes, sprang up the steps after the
gentleman, shouIdered hi1 aside. and
edging through the room ahead Of
him, reached the desk first and offered
his shaking paper.
where are your manners, young
fellowsn asked the Registrar, glancing
back at the somewhat annoyed and
surprised look on the other mans face.
Ezra's cold lips stammered something
about hurrying.
There's time enough in this world
for folks to be civil. You've got the
day before you, haven't youi" said the
clerk, looking, to Fairfax's acute ap-
prehension. as if he might be going to
order him aside in favor Of the person
age he had just jostlcd
The young mans excitement leaped
from his eyes, but his slouched hat hid
them. II was none Of the Registrars
If the clumsy fellows lips
were ashy. He still grumbled as he
reached for his rubber stamp.
The dull thud with which it struck
the paper sounded above the ringing
in Ezra's ears. Then the clerk glanced
at the clock and proceeded TO write in
its place, in legal form, the moment Of
registration.
mine hours and two minutes"
The words were written. He stag
gered as he moved aside to let the
portly gentleman take his turn.
The Registrar, with a casual remark,
pulled the second deed toward him,
stamped it, and then took up the pen
and wrote:
'Nine hours and three minutes"
Ezra held on by a corner of the desk,
for the clock, prints and maps ON the
walls were chasing each other madly
around the room.
Forest Farm was savedl And Helen?
Mr.. Burchard returned home to find
his strong, quiet hired man the hero
Of the village. Squire Winslow, de-
lighted not little with his own pres
ence Of mind in the affair, had ex-
plotted Ezras history far and wide.
you know you always said, father
that Forest Farm was to go with me-"
Helen, demurely, $50, logic
ally, go with the farmland the farm
is Ezra's"
She opened her eyes at her parent |
and slipped her hand into !
her lovers, which was close by.
Mr.. Burchard,. still confounded by the |
risk his own carelessness had entailed, |
stared at them helplessly and yielded |
TO the inevitable.
"Queer dolngs," he said to himself, |
and blinked his eyas. "Queer doings."
The American Queen.