The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-10-06
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CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
There was much to do, and John Sax.
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 1t
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
sharpened his grief with self-reproach
that he had been party to an exploit so
foolhardy: they should never have at
tempted a midnight descent upon an un-
known foe and yet 1t 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, gentlemenT He
spoke with 80 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 CO." he said. TheiI
| silence seemed to confuse him for q mo
ment, but he regained his composure. He
looked from Saxton to the bishop, who
nodded, and he went on:
'1The man who killed Wary Raridan
was my brother" he said, and waited.
SaNton started slightly; his numbed
senses quickened under Wheaton's words
and In a fash he saw the explanation oi
many things.
He was my brother" Wheaton went
on quietly. "He had wanted money from
me. had refused to help him. He car
ried away Grant Porter thinking to In
iure me in that way. 1t was that, l think
as much as the hope of getting a large
sum for the boys return"
A great quiet lay upon the house; tn,
two men remained sitting, and Wheaton
stood before them with his arms crossed
the bishop and Saxton watching him, an,
Wheaton looking from one to the otho
Of his companions. Contempt and ange
were rising In John Saxton's heart bu
the old bishop waited calmly; this wa
not the first time that a troubled sou
had opened its door to him.
'Go on" he said, kindly.
my brother and l ran away from m,
little Ohio town where we were born
Our father was a harness maker. | hatet
the place. think hated my fathe
and mother" He paused, as we d.
sometimes when we have suddenly spokel
a thought which we have long carried II
our heart but have never uttered. Th
words had elements Of surprise for Jane
Wheaton, and he waited, weighing hi
words and wishing to deal justly witt
himself. my brother was a bad boy
he had never gone to school, as l had
he had several times been guilty Of petit,
stealing. l Joined him once In theft
we were arrested but he took the blam
and was punished, and l went free.
am not sure that l was any better, o
that am now any better than he il
But that is the only time l ever STOLE"
Saxton remembered that Wary ha
once said of James Wheaton that u
would not steal
II wanted to be honest; tried m
best to do right. never expected to d
as well as l have-I mean In busines
and things like that. Then after all til
years in which l had not seen anythin
Of my brother he came into the bank on
day as tramp, begging, and recognize
me. At first | helped him. I sent hir
here: you will remember the man Snyde
you found here when you came," turnin
to Saxton. 81 knew you would not kee
him. There was nothing else thar
could do for him. l had new ambitions,
his voice fell and broke, 'there were
there were other things that meant
great deal to mel could not have hir
about. 1t was he who assaulted me on
night at Mr.. Porter's house two yeav
ago, when you," he turned to the blshoI
came up and drove him away. Afte
that gave him money to leave the colr
try and he promised to stay away; bu
he began blackmailing me again. and
thought then that had done enough %
him and refused to help him any NOR,
When Grant Porter disappeared kne,
at once what had happened. He ha
threatened-but there Is something.
something wrong with mel"
These last words broke from him hk
a cry. and he staggered suddenly an
would have fallen II Saxton had nc
sprung up and caught him. He recoyers