Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1906-07-18
THE
GRAFTERS
By
FIR AN CTS Lynn DE
Copyright. 1904. by Tho BOODs-Merrln Co.,
CHAPTER XXV.-CoNr1NuEp.

CHAPTER XXV.-CoNrINUED
A ring of town idlers was beginning
to form about them. An automobile
was still enough of rarity in the min
ing camp to draw crowd
"Busted?" inquired one of the on
lockers.
Ormsby nodded, and asked if there
were machinist in the camp.
Yep" said the spokesman; Cup ct
the Blue Jay mine
Somebody go after him. suggest
ed Ormsby, Tipping coin; and boy
started on a run.
The waiting was a little awkward.
The ringing idlers were good-natured
but curious. Ormsby stood by and an
swered questions multiform, diverting
curiosity from the lady to the ma
chine. Presently the spokesman said:
us this here the steam-buggy that
helped a crowd of you fellers get away
from Jud Byers and his posse one day
a spell back?"
NO" said Ormsby. Then he remem-
bered the evening of small surprises
the racing tally-ho with the Inn
auto-car to help.
what was the trouble that day."
he asked, putting in question on his
side.
"a little ruction up at the Twin
Sisters. There was furss, an a gun
went off, accidentally on purpose KILN
Jim Harkins." was the reply.
Blue Jay, and Ormsby helped Elinor
out of her seat while the repairs were
making. The town Office of the Blue
Jay was just across the street, and he
took her there and begged house-room
and chair for her, making an excuse
that he must so and see to the brake
mending.
But once outside he promptly stul-
titled himself, letting the repairs take
care OF themselves while he went in
search of one Jud Byers. The deputy
sheriff was not hard to find Normally
and in private life he was the weigher
for the Blue Jay; and Ormsby was di-
rected to the scale shanty which
served as the weigher's Office.
The interview was brief and con-
elusive; was little more than a rapid
fire of question and answer; and for
the greater part the sheriff's affirma-
tives were heartily eager. Yes, GER
tainly; if the thing could be brought
to pass. he, Byers, would surely do
his part. All he asked was an hour
or two in which to prepare.
You shall have all the time there
Is" was the reply. Have you West
ern Union wire here?"
mo; nothing but the railroad Of
flee"
That won't do; they'd stop the
message. How about the Inn?"
"Breezeland has a Western Union
all right: wire your notice there. and
I'll fix to have it 'phoned over.
don't believe it can be worked,
though added the deputy, doubt
fully.
1--WE can't tell till we try" said
Ormsby; and lie hurried back to his
car to egg on the machinist with
golden promises contingent upon
haste.
Mis-; Brentwood found her compan-
Ion slngularly silent on the five-mile
race to Breezeland; but the lightning
speed at which he drove the car put
conversation out of the question. AT
the hotel he saw her into the lift with
decent deliberation; but the moment
she was off his hands he fairly ran to
the teiegrapher's alcove in the main
hall
Have you Western Union wire to
the capital direct?" he inquired.
The young man snapped his key and
said he had.
1T has no connection with the
Trans-Western railroad offices:"
None whatever"
Ormsby dashed of a brief message
to Kent, giving three or four addresses
at which he might be found.
'Send that, and have them try the
Union station train platform first.
Don't let them spare expense at the
other end. and If you can bring proof
OF delivery to room 261 within half an
hour. 1t means months pay to you,
individually. Can you do it,"
r. Bat the operator was already claim
ing the wire. writing "deth," 'deth, !"
''deth." as rapidly as his fingers
could shake OF the dots and dashes.