The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-05-19
CHAPTER II.
(COntinued)


statement reached him-his arm
fiourished uncertainty for momen
toward the familiar, unabashed in
scriptiOn on the old slab-"how die
you get back?"
"Eh?" roared the giant. damn
you'll got out; didn't have to sta!
there forever" His voice became
snarling-the voice of man un
fortunate-at bay.
I'm off my cocoanut! Gosh, this
is the limit" muttered Roger, won
der if | can run His feet seemed
to move all right, to his great re
lief, and were making time of theil
own accord to the brow of the hill
but it might be best to seem friend
ly, he thought, and as if merely il
a hurry; so he shouted back a:
casually as he could:
"Goodby. I'll come back soon
cant stay any longer just now"
AS he disappeared. the man stood
up exclaiming: ut will always fol
low me. even the boy had heard o
me; he wondered how l had go
QUIT"
Then the figure stood with bowed
head, alone-surrounded by the
dead, and silent as they.
Suddenly recollecting Rogers
wild gesture at the slab, he bent
over; then searching in his pocket
found match and lighting It, held
it near the inscription and read
Montgomery Stone"
He paused, dazed, bewildered
while the match famed to an EN-
Der and went out. Only partially
cOmprehending he muttered, Il see
i see, the boy was afraid; he tool
me for a ghost of this. He never
heard of me, my history is moi
known to him."
Roger had intended to visit some
friends in the town that evening
but by the time he reached the
main street he had arrived at Other
conclusions.
He thought it was his duty to no
tify his employer that the stranger
was anxious to see him. Roger con
sidered it probable that he would
conclude that his office boy was de
mented; but Roger did not care
very much He would like the mat
ter settled.
Theodore, book in hand, wa:
standing smoking a pipe by the
table, when the boy entered hi.
room. Roger saluted and said: Eek
cuSe me, do | look peculiar Mr.
Stone?"
Surely you do, what is it,"
Il don't know what it is" an
swered the boy.
Roger" and Stones voice wa!
firm and commanding, you're II
trouble"
Nope, I'm out of it; you're
next" answered the boy quickly.
Stone dropped his book onto thu
table. Next? Next to what?"
Montgomery Stone"
The older man started and walk
ed toward the door, which h
closed before he turned to ROge
and said:
Enough of this-you're hidin!
something"
I'm hiding nothing. You coult
not hide him with circus tent
He's too big; he's enormous"
What does he look like? How
old?"
Hes about 40, but he looks old
err. He's like you, only taller ant
thinner; he's a Stone, all right"
Yes, it is he; come to haunt u
at last" exclaimed Theodore.
"Who?"
"The skeleton"
"The WHAT" Rogers eyes bulged
''The family skeleton, Montgon
cry Stone. Say nothing of this.
must consult my father. This ma
you have met is evidently tn
grandson of old Montgomery Stone
He killed a man once in a drunke
brawl; he was sentenced an
served time. He's been decen
sort Of chap-decent enough" sal
Stone, "since his liberation, and h
was more sinned against than sill
ming in his youth. He killed in
quarrel, | believe, Anyway, tn
town thinks he's dead It's fan
lily secret"
And now he's come back t
make trouble!" cried Roger.
Il don't know" said Stone, jud
ciously: "he may be hungry. If h
is decent I'll give him hand bl
of course I have no particular d.
sire that he should stay here. An,
way he has served his sentenc
Roger; he has suffered the punisl
ment of mankind-it's not for l
to judge him further"