Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-04-12
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from somewhere. and be took sides
with me. thought at first 1t was you,
sir. The robbers thought so, too, for
one of them yelled, Great God; Glen.
arms come back" inst like that. But
it wasn't you, sir. but quite another
person
That's good story so far; and
then what happened?"
q don't remember much more. ex.
cept that some one soused me with
water that helped my head consider,
ably. and the next thing knew | was
staring across the table, there at you. "
Who We're these men. Bates? Speak
up quickly!"
Ny tone was peremptory. Here was,
| felt. a crucial moment in orr rel...
tons.
Well" he began. deliberately. q
dislike to make charges against a iol.
low man but strongly suspect one Of
the men of being"
Yes Tell the whole truth or it Will
be the worse Cor you"
Il very much fear one of them was
Ferguson, the gardener over the way.
I'm disappointed in him, sir
Very good; and now for the other
one"
q didn't get my eyes On him. I had
closed With Ferguson and we we're
having quite lively time Of it when
the other one came in; then the man
who came to my help mixed us all up,
he was a very lively person. and
what became of Ferguson and the rest
of it ! don't know"
There was food for thought in what
he said. He had taken punishment in
defense of my property.-the crack Oh
his head was undeniable, and | coul
not abuse him or question his veracity
with any grace; not. at least, withou.
time for investigation and study. How.
ever, | yentured to ask him one ques-
ton:
IF you we're guessing, shouldn't
you think it quite likely that Morgan
was the other MANI"
He met my gaze squarely.
Il think it wholly possible, Mr..
Glenarm," he replied at once.
"And the man who helped you-who
in the devil was he?"
"Bless me, don't know. sir! He
disappeared. I'd like nightly to see
him again.
"Humph! Now you'd better do some
thing for your head. I'll summon the
village doctor If you say so"
mo; thank You, sir. I'll take care
Of it myself"
Very well. Now we'll keep quiet
about this. Don't mention 1t or dis.
cuss II with any one"
Certainly not, Sir" He rose, stag.
Eerlng little isom weakrsss. but
crossed to the broad mantel shelf in
the great chinney-breast, rested his
arm upon it for a moment, passed his
hand over the DARK wood with a sort
OF caress, then bent his eyes upon the
floor Uttered with books, drawings and
papers torn from cabinets and all
splashed with tallow and wax from
the candles. The daylight had in
creased until the havoc wrought by
the nights visitors was fully apparent.
The marauders had made a sorry
mess of the room, and / thought
Bates lip quivered as he viewed the
wreck.
1T would have been a blow to Mr..
Glanarm; the room was his pride
his pride, sir"
He went out toward the kitchen, and
| ran upstairs to my own room. |
cursed the folly that had led me to
leave my window open, for undoubted-
ly Morgan and his new ally, st. Ag-
atha's gardener, had taken advantage
OF it to enter the house. Quite likely,
too, they had observed my departure
tor Cincinnati, and this would I'M
doubtedly be communicated to Picker
ing. l threw open my door and start
ed back with an exclamation of
amazement.
A stranger stood at my chiffonier,
between two windows, calmly shaving
himself. He was clad in a bath gown
my own, | saw with fury-and he
hummed softly to himself as he seized
the brush and applied lather deity
to his upper lip.
Without turning he ADDRESSED me.
quite coolly and casually, as though
his being there was the most natural
thing in the world.
Good morning Mr.. Glenarm! Rath.
er damaging evidence, that costume. I
suppose it's the custom in the country
for gentlemen in evening clothes to
go out by the window and return by
the door. You might think the other
way round preferable"
Larry" | shouted.
Jack"
Kick that door shut and lock It."
ne commanded, in a sharp, severe tone
that remembered well, and Just now
welcomed-in him.
How, why and when-%
Never mind about me. I'm here
thrown the enemy of for a few DAYS:
and you may confess your own sins
hrst, while | climb into my armor.
Pray pardon the informality-"
He seized a broom and hegan worl,