Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-08

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conner as he answered, There's Mr..
Carston." and as he disappeared be.
hind the house he muttered to him
self, with a backward glance at the
visitor, Looks as though he blew off
a comic paper"
CHAPTER XXI.
Andoit was to this that James
Wynnegate had come, was the first
thought of Malcolm Petrie as he sur
veyed the crude place with its marks,
of poverty and failure. Like all those
intimate with the Wynnegate family,
he knew of the mysterious dis.
appearance of Jim Wynnegate at the
time of the ENLIGHTENMENT from the
Relief Fund. Although his brother,
Johnson Petrie, had been the active
adviser Of the family. he had person
ally 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 he studied the worn man who,
stood in the strong light of the after
noon, dressed in faded and patched
riding-breeches. with flannel shirt
and careless kerchfef knotted about
his throat, and with roughened 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, elm 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
Petrie was unmistakable. The light
began to deepen into crimson shadows,
and stiffness hung over the ranch.
All the men were away in their quar-
tiers, with Big Bill guarding them so
that the boss should not be disturb
ed in what he supposed was posi-
Bile chance to sell the place.
Diplomatically. Malcolm Petrie be-
gan. "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 sould speak, Petrie con-
tinued: Pardon my abruptness i'll
coming on you unawares. Most Of
the time 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
10 Int hot he I'm
Wynnegate? A hunger to learn some
allowed to listen longer to the culti-
beauty on his starved ears, assailed
him.
Crooks. Petrie & retrie have been
years that I had hoped % be remem;
bered by your lordship.' Petrie was
determined not to allow this man ID
Lodging his identity. SO 'he pressed
him close with his knowledge
"Mr Petrie," Jim said, we are
plain people out here, where every
man is as good as every other man
and a good deal better" he added.
as he remembered the democratic
StdLuS Ol Zig uOyS. oO pledSe tduuIGS
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 bet.
ter to observe the man, as he said:
"Since you desire it. Only I have
come very long way to inform you
that you have a right to the title"
The cause of Mr.. Petrie's presence
flashed through Jim's mind. "Then
my cousin" :.
t'Is dead, my lorG-Mr. Carston."
Monotonously Jim repeated. Dead
Henry should have outlived me-"
/ II am sorry to be the bearer of dis
tressing news, your lordship-"
But Jim interrupted. Don't hum.
bug, Petrie 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
first surprise of this meeting. and had
more fully grasped the Significance of
Petrie's news. he inquired, II suppose
Henry left statement at his death"
Statement" the lawyer inquired.
Jim further explained. Something
in the nature of a confession
Confession?
by JoVe! ne might nave done
that"
His late lordship died very sud.
denly"
But Jim waited for no further de-
tails. $50 he died without word
He died leaving me q fugitive from
justice So they still thing 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 confession-how
and why had Petrie sought him? Then
| he asked:
why have you come here?"
Petrie, who was constantly watch
ing the effect OF his every word on
the man who more and more confus-
ed and interested him, slowly answer
ed, Il am here because your cousin,
Lady Kerhill--"
"Diana?" Jim softly breathed the
name. but said no more.
Petrie continued: Believes that il
! you will speak-if you will break the
/ silence of wears YOU can return ia