The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-05-31
Z BY A MINUTE! :
BY CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM.

7 Sf"iN lOuDu lllnt even
amid his problem to admire Ezra's
keen, set face.
There is only one thing that could
have made 1t possible for Jim to med
die, and l suppose that Is just the thing
that has happened" said the Squire,
after grasping his stubby chin In deep
thought. Ezra scrutinlzed him eagerly.
II remember now. Mr.. Burchard met
Hosea here in this Office and paid the
money and took the deed. When
offered to mail it TO the registry, Mr..
Burchard said he wanted to show it TO
his wife first He said he had business
in Lowell next week and would take
the deed to the registry then himself
Now, perhaps, he forgot il; then, know
ing Hosea's honesty, put It Off from
time TO time, and il has never been
recorded. Jim Ilinkley has wanted
money pretty bad lately, and they do
say Satan takes care of his own. Any
way, he must have put that very idea
| into .Iim's head. Jim probably looked
| the matter mp, found things Just as he
| expected, got a customer for Forest
| Farm and sold it," Squire WinslOw
misunderstood the distracted thought
fulneSs that changed his visitors face.
Brace mp, my boy he said kindly.
Get back the grit ! saw in your eyes
minute ago, and perhaps Wen beat
Jim YETI He caught his watch from
his pocket. NO" he calculated, you
can't get the deed and catch the last
train TO Lowell"
"What-whats the idea?" asked
Ezra, sitting up, alert again.
why, the stranger said he'd just
bought Forest Farm. It's likely he's
taking a look at the property before
recording his deed. If he records his
first you've lost the farm; but if you
could in any way get yours in"
II seer' Ezra sprang from his chair,
a light flashing all over his face.
Squire Winslow still held his watch
in his hand and his mouth open when,
three steps at time, the young man
was fleeing down the stairs.
BLESS me! muttered the lawyer and
his own hand trembled with excite
ment as he reached for his hat and
followed after, as swiftly as his older
limbs would carry him.
Ezra reached home in an incredibly
short period. Mrs. Burchard saw him
coming and was startled by his look.
She had kindness for her daughters
lover, but did not dare to side with him.
where's the key to Mr.. Burchard's
desk?" he cried.
"In its place." she answered. appre-
hensively.
80 it is,' he gasped with relief, feel
ing behind the secretary and producing
it. Il saw Helen out by the barn. Tell
her TO saddle Mark! Quickly, please"
HAS Mr.. Burchard--" she began.
"Quickr' implored Ezra, rummaging
among the papers with desperate eager
ness.
She obeyed and returned. "Where
are you going, Ezra Fairfax"
ITO Lowell"
"On Mark? What will Mr.. Burchard
say? You know how Mr.. Burchard
feels about that COLT
Here it Isl. exclaimed Ezra joy
ously.
"WhatY
"The deed to Forest Farm. There's
purchaser" The young man
dashed out of the house, leaving the
desk in confusion, and ran to the barn.
Helen was tightening the saddle
girths.
what is this for?" she asked, catch
ing the excitement in his face.
"It's the only chance! l can't talkv'
he exclaimed. He kissed her, sprang
on the colts back, and galloped off.
Helen, that boy is crazy" cried Mrs.
Burchard, in distress, running out to
meet her daughter. You don't sup
pose he would dare to try and sell For
est Farm! He has carried the deed
off"
Trust Ezra" said Helen stoutly. 81
do" But her heart thumped, and she,
too, felt more troubled than ever be-
fore in hel life. Might Ezra really
have brooded over his troubles until
his mind had become unhinged?
Meanwhile the swift colt had met the
Squire on the road, and the rider had
reined up.
Silently he handed down the deed,
which the old man examined eagerly.
Just as / thought" he said curtly;
mot recorded. Have you money? Not
enough, perhaps, for everything. Here,
take this"
Ezra accepted the bill, and the brief
instructions which the lawyer went on
to give him.
Better tell the Burchards, l guess.
They'll worry either way. Thank you,
Squire Winslow." Fairfax swiftly bent
and wrung his old friends hand.
God bless your returned the old
lawyer, unsteadily.
1t would take too long to describe the
details of that ride. The road was q
"short cut" compared to the roundabout
way by rail from Edgcomb to Lowell.
The brave colt did his best, rolling an
eye around occasionally as if to ask