Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-10-07
>%%%%<%%%*4@$
y -. -
CHAPTER NZu

ton had been back and forth twice be-
tween the ranch house and the village
before the sun had crept high into the
heavens The little village had been slow
to grasp the fact of the tragedy at its
doors which had already carried its name
afar. There was much to do and yet II
was so pitifully little after all Wary
Raridan was dead, and eager men were
securing the country for his murderer
but John Saxton sat in the room where
Wary had died. 1t seemed to John that
the end had come of all the world. He
sharpened his grief with selfreproach
that he had been a party TO an exploit SO
foolhardy; they should never have at
tempted a midnight descent upon an un-
known foe and yet it was Raridan's own
plan.
Saxton had ministered to the boy Grant
with characteristic kindness. Grant knew
now of Warry's death, and this. with his
own sharp experiences, had unnerved him
He clung to Saxton, and John soothed
him until he slept, in one of the upper
chambers.
Wheaton stood suddenly in the door,
and beckoned to Saxton, whe went out to
him. They had exchanged no words since
that moment when the old bishops prayer
had stilled the room where Wary Rari-
dan died Through the events of the
morning hours, Wheaton had been merely
a spectator of what was done-Saxton
had hardly noticed him. and glancing at
Wheaton now, he was shocked at the look
of great age that had come upon him.
II want to speak to you a minute
you and Bishop Delafeld," said Wheaton.
The bishop was pacing up and down in
the outer hall, which had been quietly
cleane dand put in order by men from the
village. Wheaton led the way to the room
once used as the ranch Office.
Will you sit down. gentlemen?" He
spoke with so much calmness that the
Others looked at him curiously. The bish-
op and Saxton remained standing, and
Wheaton repeated, sharply. will you sit
down. The two men sat down side by
side on the leather-covered bench that
ran around the room, and Wheaton stood
up before them.
II have something to say to you, be-
fore you-before we go" he said. Their
silence seemed TO confuse him for a mo-
ment, but he regained his composure. He
looked from Saxton to the bishop, who
nodded, and he went on:
The man who killed Wary Raridan
was my brother" he said, and waited
iSaxton started slightly; his numbed
senses quickened under Wheaton's words,
and in a fash he saw the explanat ton Of
many things.
He was my brother" Wheaton went
on quietly. He had wanted money from
me. l had refused to help him. He car
ried away Grant Porter thinking to in
jure me in that way. 1t was that, think,
as much as the hope of getting a large
sum for the boys return
A great quiet lay upon the house; the
two men remained sitting, and Wheaton
stood before them with his arms crossed,
the bishop and Saxton watching him, and
Wheaton looking from one to the other
of his companions. Contempt and anger
were rising in John Saxton's heart; but
che old bishop waited calmly; this was
not the first time that troubled soul
Had opened its door to him.
''Go on" he said, kindly.
'My brother and l ran away from The
little Ohio town where we were born.
ouI LdldleI as Il udIueSS IHdhcT. L D1lGl
the place. l think | hated my father
and mother" He paused, as we do
sometimes when we have suddenly spoken
a thought which we have long carried IN
our heart but have never uttered The
words had elements Of surprise for J mes
Wheaton, and be waited. weighing his
words and wishing to deal justly with
himself. My brother was a bad boy:
he had never gone to school, as | had
he had several times been guilty of petty
stealing l Joined him once in a theft
we were arrested. but he took the blame
and was punished, and | went free.
am not sure that | was any better. or
that | am now any better than he j..
But that is the only time | ever stole
Saxton remembered that Wary had
once said Of James Wheaton that Le
would not steal.
Il wanted to be honest; l tried ny
best 10 do right | never expected TO Dr. |
as well as | have-I mean in business |
and things like that Then after all the |
years in which | had not seen anything |
Of my brother he came into the bank ono |
day as a tramp, begging, and recognized |
me. At first | helped him. | sent him |
here you will remember the man Snyder |
you found here when you came" turning
TO Saxton. Il knew you would not keep |
him. There was nothing else rhal
could do for him. | had new ambitions"
his voice fell and broke, there were
there were other things that meant
great deal to me- could not have him
about. IL was he who assaulted me one
night at Mr.. Porter's house two yea e
ago, when you" he turned to the bishop.
came up and drove him away. After
that ! gave him money to leave the cor.n-
try and he promised to stay away but
be began black ckmailing me again, and
thought then that / had done enough for
him and refused to help him any moro.
When Grant Porter disappeared l knew
at once what had happened. He had
there Is something
something wrong with mel"
These last words broke from him ike
4 cry, and he staggered suddenly and
would have fallen IL Saxton had no.
sprung up and caught him. He recovered
quickly and sat down on the bench.
"Let Us drop this nov" said Saxton.
ovsr him; ''irs no time"