Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1908-02-27
THE BUILDERS
BIZ Willis George Emerson
.loontinued from Last week.)

at Will be very Qulet atIalr'
said Boast, still looking into the
darkened corner, while his voice was
noticeably subdued. immediate
relatives and all that, she has none;
neither have /, excepting my mother
and father. So there you are. We
arc to be married at my fathers.
AZ imagine" he went on, that
frieidships between women are gen.
orally like traffic arrangement be-
tween railroads, each secretly expect
ing to get the better of the bargain,
but Helen really loves Ruth. They
have been chums for number OF
wears, and since you do not disclaim
friendship for me, l am sure you VIII
not refuse my request.
Fred promised to consider the
matter and let Boast know the next
day after consulting Ruth.
VERY WE'LL" replied Boast, II will
call tomorrow. 1t is really too bad,
Boast went on, that weak little
woman like Helen should have to
endure SO much suffering as she has
had in the last few months. Actuated
by sympathy as well as love l feel 1t
is my duty to set all formalities aside,
marry her and thus assure to myself
the privilege of protecting and caring
for her as she deserves"
Eyes" replied Fred, "she certain
ly has had much sorrow. BY the way,
Mr.. Boast, do you believe Gideon
Gibbons guilty of the murder of Ru-
fus Grim?
Boast relit his cigar before an
.sWering. "Mr. Rockwell" he said,
after celebrating a few moments
and looking hard at the ceiling Of the
room, 81 hope Mr.. Gibbons Is inno-
cent. have tried to look calmly
at his case, shrouded in mystery, as
you we'll know it is. have tried
to close my ears to whisperings and
prejudices and not jump with the
multitude at hasty conclusion. Or
course, the circumstantial evidence
against Mr.. Gibbons is rather damag-
ing. Mr. Casey's disalp rance, and
! Mr.. Gibbons continued silence as to
Casey's whereabouts makes 1t look
still worse. The probability is that
nine out of ten of the people of Gold
Valley believe him guilty. They have
built up a wall of prejudice around
him that seems impregnable, and un-
less the public temper is permitted to
cool they will very likely convict
him. To me mercy seems preferable
to a hasty Judgment" Boast had
risen and was leaning against the
mantel, and when he ceased speaking
his face was turned toward Fred, who
had been walking back and forth.
For moment there was silence
these two men stood looking ct each
other.
well, Mr.. Rockwell" concluded
Boast, with a forced laugh, Il viii
say goodnight; and / beg your par
don for calling at such an unreason-
able hour, but 1t was an urgent case
and when you get as near your nup-
tails as / am, I will forgive you II
you will pull me out of bed at any
time of the night"
"a strange man." said Fred tt
himself, after Boast had gone. HE
talked like philosopher, and his
Judgment seems seasoned with mer'
cy. Perhaps people have not un'
,derstood him. The heart Is lied about
in the most cruel fashion by the per
verse tongues of men and women. L
hearts could speak they would tel
only truths, do away with trouble
and flood the world with. happiness
But, perhaps love has been the cru
chile in which this mans characte
has been purified, for love never
many brute man. After all, it,
rather odd that he and Helen are t.
he married. / know Ruth will b.
surprised. Perhaps 1t is best, and thu
very fact that he makes her his wifi
at this time, when she is left so com
pletely alone, really ennobles the fel
low to me-"
Before retiring Fred wrote let
ter to Ruth, leaving the matter of at
tending the wedding entirely to he
Judgment, and concluded by saying
81 take the liberty of enclosing
herewith a sealed envelope contain
ing something / have written AM
which desire you shall not read un
til your father has made the neces
lsary cross-cuts to the vein in tn
Shonbar. / am sure you will re
spect my wishes, and not open tn
note until the time indicated"
The letter which he had so care
fully written and sealed, ran as fol
lows.
My Dear Ruth, My Best of Friends
l have long wished to have conf
dental understanding with you, blu
environments and conditions seer
to have prevented. Today / receive
"a letter from my old housekeeper !
New York City, containing a daint
little boutonniere of violets, which
herewith enclosed.
I anticipate another disappoin
ment in the Shonbar, and want 20
to know two things. One is, that
do not care, in one way, sou MAJ
quee, for all the gold there may nc
be in your fathers mine, and tn
other is that have a single absorbin
hope in my heart-it is this: Ths
some time, dear Ruth, you will joul
ney with me far away from thes