Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-04-16
CHAPTER XXI.

| "N HE rickety stairway seemed tt
creak with surprise at tn,
slowness of his feet as Troy,
descended. 1t was circus day
and there We're few in the street. Mel
Their looking to the right nor left liz
hurried to the bank of Hillsborougl
and left his money. Then, mounting
his mare, he turned to the wooded hills
and went away ut a swift gallop
When the village lay far behind then
and the sun was low he drew rein t.
let the mare breathe and turned, look
Ing down the long stairway of hills
Presently he could hear gallopine
horse and n faint halloo down the val
ley out Of which he had just come. He
stopped, listening, and soon man and
horse, the latter nearly spent with fast
travel, came up the pike.
well, by heaven! You gave me q
hard chase" said the man.
"Do you wish to see met" Trove In
quired.
eyes. My name is spinnel. 1 an
connected with the bank of Hillsbor
ough. Your name is Trove-Sidney
Trove"
eyes, SIR"
"You deposited $1,000 today?"
II did"
"Well, I've come to see you and ask
few questions. I've no authority,
and you can do as you like about an.
swering."
The man pulled up near Trove and
took notebook and pencil out of his
pocket.
"First, how came you by that mon.
ey?" said he, with some show Of ex-
citement in his manner.
"That is my business" said Trovo
coolly.
There's more or less truth in that"
said the other. But I'll explain. Night
before last the bank in Milldam was
robbed and the clerk, who slept there,
badly hurt. Now, I've no doubt you're
all right, but here's curious fact-the
sum taken was about $1,000"
Trove began to change color. he dis
mounted, looking up at the stranger
and holding both horses by the bit.
/
manded.
"No," was the quick reply. They've
no doubt you can explain everything"
'I'll tell you all / know about the
money" said Trove. But come, let's
keep the horses warm"
They led them, and, walking slowly,
TrOve told of his night in the sugar
bush. Something in the manner Of
Spinnel slowed his feet and words.
The story was finished. They stopped,
| turning face to face.
ITS grossly improbable" Trove sug-
gested thoughtfully.
well, it amt the kind o. thing that
happens every day or two" said the
other. "If you're innocent, you won't
mind my looking you over little to
see if you have wounds or weapons.
Understand, I've no authority, but if
you wish, I'll do it,"
"Glad to have you. Here's a hunt
ing knife and flint and some bird
shot," Trove answered as he began to
empty his pockets.
Spinnel examined the hunting knife
and looked carefully ut each pocket.
"Would you mind taking off your
coat?" he inquired.
| The young man removed his coat,
uncovering small spatter Of blood on
a shirt sleeve.
"There's no use going any further
with this" said the young man i'm
patiently. "Come on home with me-
and I'll go back with you in the morn
ing and prove my innocence"
The two mounted their horses and
rode long way in silence.
'It is possible" said Trove presently,
''that the robber was man that knew
me and, being close pressed, planned
to divert suspicion"
Save that of the stranger, there was
no sleep at the little house in Brier
Dale that night. But, oddly, for Mary
and Theron Allen it became night of
dear and lasting memories Of their
son. He sat long with them under the
pine trees, and for the first time they
saw and felt his strength and were as
children before It,
Its all school," said he calmly
"And I'm just beginning to study the
Book Of Trouble. It's full Of rather
tough problems, but I'm not going tc
funk or fail in it,