Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-09
CHAPTER XXI.

And 1t was to this that James Wypnegate
had come was the first thought Of Malcolm
Petrie as he surveyed the crude place with
fits marks of poverty and failure. Like all
those intimate with the Wynnegate family.
he knew of the mysterious disappearance
of Jim Wynnegate at the time of the en-
bezzlement from the relief fund. Although
his brother. Johnston Petrie. had been the
active adviser of the family. he had per-
sonally known Jim's father. and as he
watched Jim now he began to feel new
interest in him. Since the death Of his
brother Johnston he had assumed control
OF the Kerhill estate. As ne studied the
worn man who stood In the strong light Of
the afternoon. dressed in faded and patched
riding breeches with a flannel shirt. and
careless kerchief knotted about his throat.
and with rou&hened hands that showed
their service in manual labor. he thought
of him as the soldier he had often seen In
the London world. But could those be the
eyes of a man who was hiding from justice?
Again he looked at the slip of paper which
was marked. Jim Carston Of Carston's
ranch
Instinctively Jim placed the man who
stood before him. Even though he had
never seen him before. the resemblance to
his brother. Johnston Petr!e. was unmis-
taxable. The light began to deepen into
crimson shadows. and stiffness hung over
the ranch. All the men were away in their
quarters. with Big Bill guarding them 50
that the boss should not be disturbed in
what he supposed was a possible chance to
sell the place.
Diplomatically. Malcolm Petrie began.
This is Mr.. Carston?'
And you?" Jim questioned.
Petrie handed him card as he said.
Malcolm Petrie Of the firm Of Crooks.
Petrie & Petrie solicitors. London. and at
your lordship's service
Before Jim could speak. Petrie continued:
Pardon my abruptnesS in coming on you
unawares. Most of the time l allowed
myself has been given to locating you"
well. Mr.. Petrie. go on was all Jim
said as he turned the card in his hand.
He hardly knew what course to pursue.
Should he deny or acknowledge to this
trustworthy man. who was regarding him
with such sympathetic interest. that he was
Jim Wynnegate? A hunger to learn some
thing Of the world he had left, to be al
lowed to listen longer to the cultivated
speech that fell with such beauty on his
starved ears. assailed him.
Crooks Petrie & Petrie have been your
family solicitors for many years that I
had hoped to be remembered by your lord
ship" Petrie was determined not to allow
this man to escape for a moment from
acknowledging his identity. so he pressed
him close with his knowledge.
Mr. Petrie" Jim said. I'VE are plain peo-
pie out here. where every man is as good
as every other man-and a good deal bet
ter he added as he remembered the demo-
cratic status of the boys. so please ad-
dress me as Mr.. Carston. Won't you be
seated?" AS he spoke he pointed to the
bench near the hut.
Petrie adjusted his glasses. the better to
observe the man. as he said: "Since you
desire 1t. Only 1 have come very long
way to inform you that you have right
to the title"
The cause of Mr.. Petr.e's presence flashed
through Jim's mind. Then my cousin-"
rs dead. my lord-Mr. Carston."
Monotonously Jim repeated: Dead.
Henry should have outlived me-"
II am sorry to be the bearer of distressing
news. your lordship-"
But Jim interrupted. Don't humbug.
Petne. There was no love lost between
Henry and me. as you know. though I've
tried to forget that
When he had recovered from the flrst sur
prise Of this meeting. and had more fully
grasped the. Significance of Petris's news.
he inquired. II suppose Henry left state
ment at his DEATH
"statement7' the lawyer inquired.
Jim further explained. something IN
the nature Of a confession
"Confession?"
"By Jove! he might have done that"
His late !ordshtp died very suddenly.
But Jim waited for no further details.
80 he died without word. He died leav-
ing me a fugitive from Justice. So they still
think me" Then quickly the real facts
Of the case began to straighten themselves
in Jim's mind. II Henry had not spoken
had left no oonfession-how and why had
Petrie sought him7 Then he asked:
why have you come here?"
Petrie. who was constantly watching the
effect Of his every word on the man who
more and more confused and interested
him. slowly answered. II am here because
your cousin. Lady Kerhill-"
"Diana?' Jim softly breathed the name,
but said no more.
Petrie continued: believes that If you
will speak-if you will break the silence Of
years. you can return to England and as
sumo your proper place at the head OF your
house. and in the world
So 1t was to Diana he owed this. Then
there is one who still believes In me. God
bless herr" All restraint fell from Jim as
he sat himself beside the solicitor and said,
simply. Il did 1t for her sake. Petrie."
Then. as though unconscious of the other
mans presence. he sat staring ahead of
him
His surmise had been right. Petrie
thought. This man was not guilty The
case began to assume new interest and new
complications. He must hear more.
Jim. reused himself. From an inside
pocket of his shirt he drew a small bag
which held sheet of faded paper.
You are familiar with the late Kerhill's
writing. You are also familiar with his
this paper to leave my body" AS he spoke
he handed the paper to Petrie. But death
has Cancelled this agreement.
Petrie read the document Jim sat mo,
lower toward the west. bolts OF scarlet and
purple seemed to be hurled from It's blaz-
ing brilliance down on the cabin and the
yard. Petrie broke the silence.
so you took upon your shoulders his
guiltT' In his tone there was no great
surprise.
Not for him. Petrie-for her. 1t was too
late for her to find out-well. what he
was" The rebellion against the dead man
seemed to choke him. Then he added. Il
did 1t for her sake, Petrie.
A restlessness took possession Of jim
All the old memories and sorrows began to
lay their whitening hands upon him. He
crossed to the hitching post and leaned
against 1t as he watched with unseeing
eyes the purple-and-red rays tipping the
Uinta peaks.
Petrie read the document again. and as
he did so he wondered how much OF this
Lady Elizabeth had known-hOw much
Diana suspected He could see now why
she had decided to come with him to
America. He thought OF her as he had
seen her a few days ago at Fort Duquesne,
Of her eyes she had asked him not to
fall in his search. and of her disappoint-
ment when her cousin. Sir John Applegate,
who accompanied her. had protested
against her riding out with Petrie on a
venture which might take days. to end
only in disappointment.
He went to Jim's side. Lady Kerhill,"
he said. will be moro grateful than you
know for I am here as h.r ha dar ~,