Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-04-26

| cOuntIt man. $1,000 staring, paper IN
his hand.
"The sheriff" Pickering explained,
and our business is rather personal"
He glanced at Stcdiard. VINO looked
at me-
Mr. Stoddard viii do ME the kind
ness to remain" said and took my
stand beside the chaplain
OH" Pickering calculated scorn-
fully. Il didn't understood ;hat your
relations with the neighborilg clergy
were so intimate. Your taste is i'm.
proving, Glenarm."
Mr.. Glenarm is a friend OF nine"
remarked Stoddard quietly. "A very
particular friend he add 4.
Il congratulate yOu-both."
| laughed Pickering was Surveying
the room as ne spoke.-a1d Stodiard
suddenly stepped toward MIN, merely,
think, to draw up a chair for the
sheriff; but Pickering, not hearing
StOddard's stey On the soft rug until
the clergyman was close beside him,
started percepubly and Redeemed.
1t was certainly mdicrous. and when
Stoddard faced me asaln he was biting
his lip.
Pardon me-" he murmured.
Now gentlemen, will you kindly
state your business? My own affairs
/ press ma"
Pickering was studying the cartridge
boxes on the library table The sheriff,
too, was viewing these effects with in
terest not l think. uEmixed with awe.
"Glenarm, | don't like to invoke the
law to eject you from this property,
but | am left with no alternative. |
can't stay out here indefinitely, and
want TO know what's I'm to expect"
THAT is a fair question" I replied.
{ III it were merely a matter Of follow
Ing the terms Of he will should not
hesitate or be here now. But IL isn't
the will, or my grandfather that keeps
me, it's the determination to give you
all the annoyance possible--to make
it hard and mighty nard FOR you to get
hold Of this house until | have found
why you are so much interested in it,"
You always had a grand way in
money matters. As I told you before
you came out here, it's a poor stake.
1 The assets consist wholly Of this land
and this house. whose quality you have
had an excellent opportunity TO test.
You have doubtless heard that the
country people believe there is money
concealed here,-but ! dare say YOU
have exhausted the possibilities. This
is not the first time a rich man has
died, leaving precious little behind
him."
You seem very anxious to get pos
session of property that you call
poor stake" | said. "A few acres of
land, a half-fnished house and an I'M
certain claim upon a school teacher"
81 had no idea you would understand
my position" he replied. The seri-
BUSINESS OF a mans oath to perform the
solemn duties imposed upon him by
law would hardly appeal to you. But
l haven't come here to debate this
question. When am | to have posses
sion?"
Not till I'm ready,-thanks!"
Mr.. Sheriff, will you serve your
WRIT? he said, and | looked to Stod-
dard for any hint from him as to what
/ should do.
Il believe Mr.. Glenarm is quite will.
ing to hear whatever the sheriff has to
say to him." said Stoddard. He stepped
nearer to me, as though to emphasize
the fact that he belonged to my side
OF the controversy, and the sheriff read
an order Of the Wabana county circuit
court directing me, Immediately, to de-
liver the house and grounds into the
keeping Of the executor of the will of
the estate Of John Marshall Glenarm.
The sheriff rather enjoyed holding
the center OF the stage, and listened
quietly to the unfamiliar phraseology.
Before he had quite finished heard a
step in the hall and Larry appeared at
the door, pipe in mouth. Pickering
turned toward him frowning, but Larry
paid not the slightest attention to the
executor, but leaned against the door
with his usual tranquil unconcern.
Il advise you not to trile with the
law, Glenarm," said Pickering, as the
sheriff folded his paper. you have
absolutely no right whatever to be
here. And these other gentlemen
your guests. suppose-are equally
respassers under the law"
He stared at Larry, who crossed his
legs Tor greater ease in adjusting his
lean frame to the door.
We'll. Mr. Pickering, what is the
next step" asked the sheriff.
MIR. Pickering" said Larry, straight
ening up and taking his pipe from his
mouth, I'm Mr.. Glenarm's counsel. If
you will do me the kindness to ask the
sheriff to retire for moment should
like to say few words to you that you
might prefer to keep between our.
selves"
had usually found 1t wise to take
any cue Larry threw me, and | said:
Pickering, this is MIR. Donovan, who
mas every authority to act for me in
the matter"
Pickering looked impatiently from