The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-10-19
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probably learned from tho hangdog-
hooking fellow you seem TO take into
your confidence. He said that i was
an ex-convict-or. rather. an escaped
convict. n n great deal more prob
ably to lend truth To his story
Several times Ellison opened his
lips 20 speak. but not a word came from
them.
That was what you wanted TO tell
me. was Il not. and yet somehow the
words stuck Well. hat IL all there
In 20 Il. You should thank me for
having relieved your mind"
Ellison was nonplussed at h cool
ness OF the statement Surely the
whole story must have been a lie. or
this man would not have carried Il or
with such a brave air.
Il AJAX o how your daughter ISL"
said job.
she Is well. thank you replied the
other feebly. and he dropped into a
chair from sheer fatigue. confident that
he had played his best card and lost.
II am glad to hear II. for n must
have suffered greatly through this ter
rlble affair. Once the young man In
free. and he Will be free. won he.
Ellison?'
"oh. ! suppose so." carelessly.
You don't seem to take much In
NNtNHt AN NtG NMNFs ~ NrhtNNNltu ~
moral friend" and for n m the
black eye OF the little mar flashed.
Perhaps IL might be necessary for
me TO refresh our memory and stir
up n bit OF enthusiasm. You remem-
Der that when I met FIRST I stated
that I was I'm possession OF "A paper
showing that you had adopted the
daughter OF Martin Frale In order TO
keep h fortune I'm the family. In case
Of the death OF your wife"
"fez-ycs." and Ellison reused him
self and began TO take a keen interest
I'm the conversation.
II have that paper. which today
might deprive you Of every cent you
now call your own. So 1 am. no with
out reason. demanding that what l
ask you TO do shall be done"
Ellison WINGED at what seemed TO
him such an insolent speech. but pres
entity he rallied. and said. with n laugh:
"All that you tell me Is very inter-
esting-like n page from one OF Monte
pins novels. should very much like
TO see this document OF which you
speak" and he leaned over the table.
his face all eagerness. while Job. ut
that moment. seemed suddenly over
come with a cough. that caused him to
turn his head. After he had settled the
paroxysm he turne around. facing the
banker. and said. pleasantly: "And
so you shall--so you shall. OF course.
I have no reason 10 make a demand on
you unless ] have the papers To back
my statement up"
Eilison'R Eyes frightened. for. looking
asst his visitors head. he saw n door
open n few inches at the further end OF
the room, and part OF n face appear.
He made some signs. and while job was
fumbling In the pockets OF his vest. n
man entered noiselessly and stepped be-
hind the curtains OF a closet. against
which the table was placed where the
two were seated.
Ellison. keeping his eyes steadily fixed
OF the little man. saw that he was still
trying to get at the paper. which he
had evidently concealed with extraor-
binary precautions.
He finally extracted what he was
looking for. and. opening the document.
which seemed to be old and time
stained. stood up. and. leaning over the
table. opened II. holding IL In one hand.
while with the other. extended. he
seemed to be guarding his possession.
Here IL the document In the case"
he said: you may look. but you must
nj touch, waving Ellison bach. See
and read: there is no reason why you
should take II In your hands"
Ellison "A the paper over. which.
from the signatures and the wording.
left no doubt OF It's genuineness.
He sat back In his chair, and sighed,
saying. after a pause
Yes, there In no doubt that you hold
me In the hollow Of your hand with
the document hat ] signed with Martin
Frale nearly IL years age. Come closer
and listen. want o TO hear ONE
thing that perhaps should be whispered.
for n hotel Is all ears. as one might
say"
Job leaned forward TO hear what this
revelation was. leaving the precious
document on the table. He had hardly
moved when n hand reached out from
behind the portiere over the closet.
took the paper quickly. substituting
another IN Its place. and then a man
emerged from his hiding, and slipped
out OF the room without bcfng heard
by the others, deep I'm whispered con-
~versation. IL was only after he had
gone hat Ellison suddenly rose, and
changing the calm o m In which he had
been speaking. brought his nst down
on the table with n bang.
It's no use. Mr.. what's-your-name.
your attempting to bully me. I don't
believe in the existence OF the copy OF
the agreement"
But you saw IL before your eycs?"
II never saw anything OF the kind
II laid IL out before you. Here Il
Is" and. reaching over. he picked UP
the paper that had been placed there
and opened IL. while Ellison seemed 10
enjoy his surprise.
THAT terrifying document. Where
In it?'' he exclaimed. displaying n wild
hilarity as Job opened the paper ne
had picked up and showed that IL wa
blank.
Now. them" harshly. what do you
mean to yo. you scoundrel7 You
threaten me with your pieces OF blank
paper"
Job had retreated TO the door. He
showed evidences OF fear at the others
vehemence.
1T was not a blank piece OF paper
that ! showed you. Mr.. Ellison: II was
merely a copy of the original. which
your confederate gathered In, and
which he il privileged 70 keep" and
then. with a laugh. he opened the door
quickly and went out.
CHAPTER XIII.
TRlCKED.
James Ellison was SO surprised nj