Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-16
CHAPTER vI.---Continued.

help you can do it. l can run this busi-
ness just as well any man." She took a
quick step and laid her hand on his arm.
NO. Rose. This amt any woman's work
This business needs man, and good one
/ don't know a soul that could swing 1t but
Karl You know how / feel about IT. The
old place has been handed down to US Tor
more'n a hundred years Nobody ever
really owned it but lust US, and can't bear
having it go out of the family. II little Ar
thur had lived it would have been all right
but he didn't and you are all I've got. hose'
and want YOU to marry Kari. won YOU
Rose? He likes you. know that. he woI-
ships you like a dog; you can see ina.
He'll be good to you. Say. Rose. you II not
oppose US. will you? Your mother ana
have set our hearts on it. 1t would Kill me
If you should disappoint U.S. You won T.
will YOU Rose?'' There was culver in MS
voice and he wiped his eyes hastily.
'Oh, Rose is a good girl, Ira. You won
dsappont us: will you. Rose?
"Oh, pshaw. pap, 1 believe you're get
ting soft-headed Here, take one of these
dumplings and get out. You're in my road
1 believe you've spoiled my pies now.
Come. clear out The change was instant.
''But l want you to promise, Rose. ne
said hesitating a moment and looking al
her, the dumping in his hand.
ooh. clear out. They want you over TO
the store. Come, start, or I'll spatter
you," She held the dipper threateningly
The old look was in her eyes again. He
went out laughing munching at the dunn
ping.
His good nature. however, was short
lived. When he reached the store the
group about the stove looked up expect
antly.
Say, squire" a sharp voice piped up,
they say you're going to put the law TO
that young Farthing. Yas?'
That's just what I'm going to do he
responded grimly.
What charge you Gale latin to make!
''Untying Karrs boss.
'-And what law does that break, squlre?'
ITS trespassing. and it's attempted dam
age OF property, and half d dozen things.
You can prove it, s'pose?'
Prove 1t? Well | should say! You just
watch me. l can prove 1t twenty-seven
different ways. Say. look here, do you
know this Farthing crowds going to change
the whole tone of this valley? There's
trouble ahead You take my word for 1t,
they're a hard lot and they'll bear watch
ing. There amt a doubt in my mind but
what that critter was actually trying to
steal the boss. Yessuh.'
Say, look here, squire Dan Tressler
was moving uneasily on his egg crate
Have you got single proof that Jim
Farthing really united that boss wunst?
Now. have yeh, squre?"
Proof? What'd l say? I've got proof to
burn l bring half dozen fellers
who'll swear on the Bible they saw him go
But does that prove that he united the
hoss?"
well, it comes mighty near it
But will that prove it?' persisted the
man doggedly.
Look here Dan. What do you mean?
OF course We can prove it. He had mo-
tive; we can prove that, can't We. He had
a chance; we can prove that. He went out;
we can prove that. He profited by 1t and
without the loss of a minute: we can prove
MOI do v.nrt MT
And you are going to have him arrested
and tried on that evidence?"
Il am going to send for the sheriff just
as soon as | can telephone him"
Then let me tell you this, squire" There
was suppressed excitement in the mans
voice. "If it comes to a trial then you'll
have me for a witness | drove that bob
sled myself last night 1t was my rig /
was in the tavern room all the time and
I'll swear on the Bible that Jim Farthing
come in when the rest did. and didn't go out
till they did. He never left the room l know
II. And I'll swear that when Karl Keichline
got onto my sled at Moon Run bridge
and told us how Jim had unhitched his
boss wunst, three or four, and / can tell
their names still spoke right up and said
as how they knew he didn't leave the room.
Joe Huber said that he set right beside
Jim all the evening, and Joe won't lie.
You'd better go slow. squire
And you'll swear to that The old
mans face was twitching with wrath.
felt IT,
yes sir; I will. for it's Gods truth,
squire. He was fairly trembling with ex-
element.
"oh. yes. them Farthlngs are pretty fine
birds. aren't they now2" he burst out with
a whitening sneer. How long has it been
since they hired you to defend their doings?
Heigh? You've been hand in g.ove with
EN- all the fall. I've saw it. and now you'll
swear to that will yeh? Hegh?"
Il won't swear to nothing but jest Gods
truth. maintained the man stubbornly.
''Al Farthing was good to me. and I'm not
going back on him when he's in the right
still"
I'm the right? Well. sub. wen see. Ten
take more than your little swearing TO clear
up this scrape, I'll promise you that" He
stormed out into the back store, samming
the door behind him.
But he did not telephone the sheriff.
In the meantime young Jim had had but
single thought. He had polished the lit
tie mare till she fairly shone. He had
crimped her name, and tied her foretop
with a iaunty ribbon. and had even polish
ed her hoofs AS she stood In her newly
oiled harness. with the lambskin breast
was indeed q beauty. She showed not
trace of her hard usage of the night before:
she was alive in every nerve and full to
the brim of mettle and fire.
Punctual to the minute, young Jim swung
up before the squre's front gate. He could
not repress little thrill of trepidati ton.
How would Rose feel about it after she had
thought il over? Would she want to try
the horse now? And what about the old
squire?
He not kept long in suspense.
He had hitched his horse and was Just
starting to the sleigh for the blanket when
he heard sound behind him. He turned
to find the old man coming from the store
at a shufflng run.
= Here, here. young man; what do you
want?" There was no mistaking the tone
or the look the mans face
Il am calling for Miss Hartswick.
She
We'll. sir you won't see her. You unite
that boss and get out of here just as quick
as God Almighty II let yeh."
why, she asked to CALL" he stam-
mered confusedly. "She wants to try the
horse"
That don't make no difference" he roar
ed. taking a step toward him ''You get
out of here, and don't you ever let me see
you on these premises again just as long
as you live. Clear out. / say! Start!'
Without word Jim turned to the hitching-
post. and the old man, fairly quivering in
his wrath. made a movement to go.
Then he caught a glimpse of the little
mare, turned automatically drew a step
nearer. patted her on the shoulder and
opened her mouth with a def movement
How old Is she--five?"
Five in June"
''Sound2"
Absolutely perfect"
Know anything about her petigree2' He
was examining her like a judge at a county
fair.