Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-02-14
THE.
CRAFTERS
FRANCIS LYNDE
Copyright. 1904, by The sopbs.xsrrin ca \
CHAPTER XXIX.-CoNr1NUEp..


The long lean figure erected itself in
the chair, and the weight seemed to
slip from it's shoulders.
But l understood you to say that
the duties Of the executive had de-
vOlved upon me, Mr.. Kent You also
said l could imagine the result of this
singular MISLEADING of train-orders,
and I fancied could. What was the
result"
"A conclusion not quite as san
culinary as that you had in mind,
though it is likely to prove serious
enough for one member of the party
IN the private car. The special train
was chased all the way across the
state by the fast mail. It finally out
ran the pursuing section and was
stopped at Megilp. A sheriff's posse
was in waiting, and an arrest was
made"
Go on" said the lieutenant-gov-
ernor.
Il must first go back little. Some
weeks ago there was shooting ARRAY
in the mining-camp, arising out of
dispute over sailed mine, and
man was killed. The murderer es-
capped across the state line. Since the
authorities of the state in which the
crime was committed had every rea-
son to believe that a governors requis-
ltlon for this particular criminal
would not be honored, two courses
were open to them: to publish the
facts and let the moral sentiment of
the neighboring commonwealth pun
1sh the criminal as it could, or would;
or, suppressing the facts, to bide their
chance Of catching their man beyond
the boundaries of the state which gave
him an asylum. They chose the lat
ter"
''This murderer is James Guilford, l
take it; and the governor
NO." said Kent, gravely. "The MUIR
derer is-Jasper G. Bucks" He handed
the Judge a copy of the Argus. "You
will find it all in the press dispatches;
all I have told you, and a great deal
more"
The lieutenant-governor read the
newspaper story as he walked, light ting
the electric chandelier to enable him
to do so. When it was finished he sat
down again.
what a hideous cesspool it is!''
was his comment. But we shall
clean 1t, Mr.. Kent; we shall clean it if
1t shall leave the party without vote
In the state. Now what can l do for
you? You didn't come here at this
hour in the morning merely to bring
me the news"
mo, I didn't, Judge Marston. I want
my railroad"
"You shall have it, was the prompt
response. what have you done since
our last discussion of the subject?"
Il tried to 'obliterate' Judge Mac
Farlane, as you suggested. But
failed in the first step. Bucks and
Meigs refused to approve the quo war
ranto.'
The Judge knitted his brows thought
fully.
THAT way is open to you now; but
1t is long and devious, and de-
lays are always dangerous. You
spoke of the receiyership as being
part of plan by which your road was
to be turned over to an eastern mo-
nopoly. How nearly has that plan sue
ceeded?"
Kent hesitated, not because he was
afraid to trust the man Oliver Mars
ton, but because there were some
things which the governor of the state
might feel called upon to investigate
If the knowledge of them were thrust
upon him. But in the end he took
counsel of utter frankness.
$50 nearly that if Bucks and the re-
ceiver had reached CASTOR last night,
our road would now be in the hands
OF the Plantagoulds under a 99-year
lease''
The merest ghost of smile fitted
over the lieutenant governors face
when he said, with his nearest an
proach to sarcasm:
How extremely opportune the con-
fusion Of train orders becomes as we
go along! But answer one more ques-
ton if you please-it will not involve
these singularly needless railway en-
ployes Of yours: Is Judge MacF'arlane
in CASTOR now"
''He is. He was to have met the 9th
ers on the arrival of the special train."
There were footsteps on the stair
and in the corridor, and Marston rose.
"Our privacy is about to be invaded,
Mr.. Kent. This is a miserable bust
ness; miserable for everybody, but
most of all for the deceived and hood
Winked people of an unhappy state.
God knows, did not seek this office;
but since it has fallen on me, I shall
do my duty as I see it, and my hand
shall be heaviest upon that man who
makes mockery Of the justice he is
sworn to administer Come to the cap
itol little later in the day, prepared
to go at once to CASTOR. I think can
promise you your hearing on the mer-
Its without further delay
THANK, you," said Kent. simply,
grasping the hand of leave-taking.
Then he tried to find other and larger
words. II wish I could do something
to, show my appreciation of your
But the lieutenant governor was
pushing him toward the door.
"You have done something, Mr..
Kent, and you can do more. Head
those people off at"the door and say
that for the present refuse positively
to be seen or interviewed. They Wilt
find me at the capitol during Office
hours"
It was seven o'clock in, the evening
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