The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-10-26

NAMED unseen, unnOticed in the ex-
element, while Gonzaga went forward.
For his was more than idle interest
more than curiosity. He was fever
ishly anxious to know If that woman's
scream, if this light and uproar, all
had to do with his plot which, even
now, should reach its climax.
Near the door of the inn lounged the
landlord in apathetic attitude. In the
breast of this one-time planter and
man of fortune vicissitude had bred a
dull indifference, half philosophy, half
bitterness. From his seat on the
horse bleak outside he watched the
now deserted bar with meager inter-
est in the proceedings. Disguised,
world-weary, he felt no emotion at
sight of the on-coming litter, though
its burden was, perhaps, corpse
which had for requiem only this
clamor for candle torches, and for
pail the sky.
The particulars the landlord had
learned as Gonzaga approached The
latter greeted him. Good evening"
Price. You have excitement OF the
real kind to offer them who tarry to-
night. What is the trouble?"
"One man killed; another pretty
near it," was the response, and, in
reply to the Spaniard's tone, which, in
spite OF him was eager, Price contin-
ued: 1.-THE dead man is Jabez Miller,
whose daughter young Creighton keeps
company with. The other one-the
one who was wounded-see, tney are
carrying him to my place"
Then, with a quick look at Gonzaga S
face, he added: "a friend of yours,
maybe?" for his listener had grown
white as the brow of the unconscious
Winslow who was at that instant
borne past.
The Spaniard rallied with an effort.
Had his deeply laid plan, his dellb-
crate scheme to ruin Winslow's repu-
tation resulted in his death? To win
the love of that girl lowering there
in the shadow he would risk much.
but he had not meant this.
"A friend of mine? Hardly That,
he replied But l met him on the
boat, as you know. Is he-is he dead?'
Price shook his head. Guess not,
but bad,v cut. Jabez was always
handy with his knife"
"How did they happen to meet?
Lord knows. Jabez was skulking
about to catch Sue, ! reckon; but l
can't imagine what brought the other
man to this place this time O night"
"A love affair." possibly" and Con
zaga lowered his voice to a suggestive
whisper
The landlord shrugged his shoulders.
Don't know" he said, rising; but the
other stopped him. Zone moment,
have you seen the young Creighton
Gerald?"
NO." was the curt reply, and Price
went indoors.
A lounger near by volunteered:
He's gone home-along O. the other
gang; helpin' Sue with the funeral
arrangements.
uCh uC CuhCu WIN % ehsNSA'
time he was ever let in at the front
door, I'll bet on that"
Somebody else said: do they. know
who killed her pa?" And the first
speaker replied: We'll, it amt extry
hard TO guess. Sue says her dad and
this city stranger tusseled a bit, then
her dad whipped out knife and stuck
the other fellow. The next she knowed
Jabez himself was deader n a coon,
with a slash in the neck just like a
knife cut. 'Tain't much of a riddle
how he got it. What dye s'pose that
other man was dom all that time?
Thinkin' O. home and mother?" and
the speaker grinned sarcastically.
Gonzaga rejoined Lavender, whom
he found trembling with fright and
anxiety.
Where is Gerald?" she asked.
But he fastened to assure her.
Your brother is safe. l did not see
him, but hear that he has gone with
those who carried the dead home"
The girls voice sank to a plying
note. Then there are two dead?"
No, senorita. The man whom you
saw borne on the litter is not dead;
only wounded He will live-yes, he
will live" He repeated this, as if to
an inward accuser. He spoke slowly,
too, in the hope that she would catch
the meaning in his tone, and ask the
reason for it. For he had now fully
decided to make the most of this web
which his own planning and unfore-
seen circumstances had conspired to
weave. But it was evident that Law
ender had, thus far, no suspicious. 1t
was time they were reused.
THE dead man was Jabez Miller
! father Of the girl whom you saw to-
night peeping in at the dancers. Do
you remember?"
"Oh, yes; the girl with the city
lover 1t was her poor father who was
killed, you say. BY whom?"
by that city lover"
There was a pause while Lavender
watched the crowd ambling to and fro
about the tavern, her eyes wide with
fright. Both hands pressed the scarlet
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