The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-09-07

I apple tree near hts lie had
never thought OF looking there for any
M
For a moment the two men regarded
each other. Barnett. for tho life Of
him. could not remember ever having
seen that grizzled face before.
II don't know you" he said at length.
thinking that the man In the tree might
be a newspaper reporter. or n curious
minded fellow who was bent on getting
a look at such n dangerous character.
No. I NOW you don't know me- re-
piled the other. calmly. never taking
his eyes of the young school teachers
face.
What do you want"
To do YOU a service
But. II you don't know me. what pos
sible Interest,"" began Barnett. and
yet there was an tarnestncss about the
mn In the tree nat fixed his atten-
ton.
You are in "a close corner. young
man." said the stranger.
Did you come here To tell me that
mo. I am going To- save YOU, III |
can. and ! am pretty sure that | can
But I M save myself"
II sincerely wish you could. my boy.
hut II may be "a long and tedious oper-
alton and I think I may he able to oil
he wheels OF Justice
Barnett stared at the stranger. won
derirg what sort OF a man he had To
deal with. and why a man he
Eaw should take such an interest In hts
case.
who arc you?" he asked bluntly.
'As I said before. ! am a man sim
ply who is ready and able. ] think. To
do you a good turn. What my name Is
don't matter just now. You know that
there is quite n pile OF cifcumstantial
evidence against your
Yes. 80 IL seems"
with n foundation to build ON they
may erect a pyramid that will crush
YOU"
You think SOP for there was an
earnestncss about the range that did
not fail To make an Impression ON the
school teacher.
Now. Justice seldom miscarrleS to
the extent OF hanging an Innocent man.
but yOu may have "A good deal OF
trouble before YOU clear yourself OF the
charge"
Barnett's face became grave. lie
was beginning tn realize that what the
stranger told him must be true. and
that his position was fraught with
peril.
There: I didn't come here To- dcprcss
o but rather I cheer you up. my
boy-to point cut that YOU must not
treat the matter carelessly. | wanted.
too. To make your acquaintance"
Was the man mad; Barnett won
dercd. but he dismissed the les as
absurd. for the stranger spoke sensibly
enough. and his eyes were clear and
bright. Well. he was not so burdened
with friends that he could afford To re-
fuse the friendly offices 81 even "A
stranger. Perhaps the nan was n
type OF those ecccntriCs that spring up
often when "A crime IL committed. and
lend sympathy and n to the cause
they nave espoused.
Thc fellow might do some good since
he spoke so confidently: at least. he
could do no harm. Let this eccentric
person have his viii. IL IL amused him.
You don't seem TO much of "A pris-
oner. with nothing but those wooden
bars between you and liberty" remark
ed the stranger. ~ good wrench, u
out they would come
AS far as l am concerned. they shall
remain as they are" said Barnett. II
have many privileges here that /
should lose IL I tried To escape. so l
shall just let matters run along rs they
are. confident that. as / am innocent.
/ need have no fear"
And what OF herr"
The young man cast an inquiSiioriai
look at him
What do you mean
Il mean isiaCt-hlNS fslilNNut 4 SUullh
say. she knows, of course. what has
taken place
You know her. them" feeling n fresh
interest I'm the unknown.
mo. / don't know her. but ~ IL pos
slble that / may see her. " there u any
message that l can carry to her coming
from you"
Man. II you do that. I am your
friend for llfe!' exclaimed the young
school teacher. Just wait ms 1 will
jot own a few words and he turned
hastily away from the window.
Make haste" called the other In a
loud whisper.
Barnett, filled with a desire To set
down the thoughts that had been up
permnst I'm his mind since the tragedy.
had no trouble In making a start ON his
letter. To be- quick n concise was
another thing. Though his pen dashed
over the paper. a warning Hist was
a notice To draw the epistle To- a close.
He folded IL. and. without stopping to
set down the address. went ack to the
window and passed IL To- the stranger
by tying II to the end of n poker
which happened TO be- standing by the
fireplace.
You will be sure and deliver it," n.
said. earnestly. wondering ~ he was
doing right I'm trusting the note To n
hAah hf A"N - Va A' HA'h NAN' AA
ihs life.
Deliver a.? To be sure I will. unless
I should happen TO have an accident
that would lay me up. Hush! Go
back! There II some n coming" he
whispered, warningiy. and then sudden
ly dropped out OF the tree and disap-
peared among some bushes on the other
side OF the garden.
"a queer character. that" muttered
Barnett. as he watched the small man
disappear. and noted that he was very
agile for a man OF his years. We'll. he
managed to cheer me up. and I rclished
his visit. How did he manage To get
into that tree In broad daylight with
out being seen. I wonder? Evidently ~
In not the first time that ne has had
occasion TO make a surrcptitious call.
! should not be sorry TO see the old fell
low again"
The subject OF these remarks has
~wTigEled his way through the denscly
growing bushes. just as the village
constable came around from the front
Of the house with a party OF friends.
Job Hendricks. for such was the name
the stranger had given 10 the iunkccprr.
prering over the top of the hedge.
grinncd and wngErd his gray head.
"Ah. there's an ideal keeper OF a pris-
oner. l wish there had been one OF his
kind way back In the past. IL might