The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-05-19

Thar! broke In Daniel, with gui
CLING laugh. 1--we won my bet. be
to myself jest now that ten minute
wouldn't pass fore Craig an his bus
up would be mentioned"
1--WE have been at it. of and on, al
day." said Miller with low laugh
''The truth is it makes me madden thai
anything ever encountered"
do you know why?" asked Abne
seriously. just as Pole Baker came
through the dining room and leaned
against the door jamb facing them. at
beca se"-nodding a greeting to Polk
along with the others-"it's beca'se YOU
know in reason that he's got thai
money"
"Oh. wouldn't say thatr protested
Miller. in the tone of man of broad
experience in worldly affairs. a
wouldn't say that"
"Well. | would. an do" said Abner
in the full tone of decision. Il know
he's got itr'
"Well, yo're wrong thar, Uncle Alb, y
SdlQ OlCs Sll 1Ol NdlO anu blhhl-ls
into chair. You've got as good judg-
ment as any man ever run across.
thought like you do once. I'd "a tuck
my oath that he had it about two
hours by sun this evenin'. but | kin
swear he hain't cent of it now"
do you mean that. PoleY" Abner
stared across the wide hearth at him
fixedly.
HE hain't got it. Uncle Alb" Pole
was beginning to smile mysteriously.
"He did have it. but he hain't got 1t
now. got it from i'm, blast his ugly
pictur'"'
You got it," gasped Daniel. "You?"
Eyes. | made up my mind he had it.
an it deviled me so much that | de-
termined to have it by hook or crook
eff it killed me or put me in hook the
rest O. my life" Pole rose and took a
packet wrapped in brown paper from
under his rough coat and laid it on the
table near Alan. God bless you, old
boy" he said. "thar's yore money! It's
all thar. counted it. It's in fifties
an hundreds"
Breathlessly and with expanded eyes
Alan broke the string about the packet
and opened it.
Great GodH' he muttered.
Miller sprang up and looked at the
stack of bills. but said nothing. Abner
leaning forward, uttered a little. low
laugh.
"You-you didn't kill i'm. did you.
Pole. old boy-you didn't, did your he
asked.
Didn't harm a hair of his head"
said Pole. "All wanted was Alan's
an thar it isl
We'll" grunted Daniel. I'm glad
you spared his life. And I thank God
you got the money"
Miller was now hurriedly running
over the bills.
you say you counted 1t, Bakerr he
said. pale with pleased excitement
Three times-fust when 1t was turn
ed over to me an twice on the way
out heer from town."
Mrs. Bishop had not spoken until
now. standing in the shadows Of the
others, as If bewildered by what SEEM
ed hooking impossibility.
us it our money-is it our'nY she
finally found voice to say. "Oh. is it,
Pole?"
"Yes'm." replied Pole: cts yo'rn."
He produced crumpled piece of pa
per and handed it to Miller. Hers
Craig's order on his wife fer it, an in
It he acknowledges it's the cash depos-
tied by Mr.. Bishop. He won't give
me no trouble, I've got i'm fixed. He'll
leave barley in the mornin' He's
afeerd this II git out an he'll be
ynched.'
Alan was profoundly moved. He
his gaze from the money
% Poles face and leaned toward him.
You did it out of friendship for me-"
le said. his voice shaking.
That's what | did it fer. Alan. an
wish ! could do II over ag'in. When
laid hold O that wad an knowed 1t
vas the thing you wanted more'n any
hing else. | felt like tiyin'."
2Tell us all about it. Baker" said
Miller. wrapping up the stack of bills.
"All right" said Pole. but Mrs. Bish-
,p interrupted him.
wait fer Alfred" she said. her voice
Using and cracking in delight. Wait;
IL run find i'm"
She went out through the dining room.
oward the stables. calling her bus
,and at every step. alfred! Oh. Al |
redr'
"Heer! she heard him call out from
me of the stables.
She leaned over the fence opposite
he closed door, behind which she had
leard his voice.
"Oh Alfredw she called. Come