Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-06-25


every cent OF my property to do II"
He brought his fist down on the coun-
ter like a pound OF pork. The crowd
had gathered densely about the old
man, and no one noticed a new arrival
until he was close upon them.
How'd do?" they heard a CHEEKY
voice. All turned by a common I'M
pulse.
II was Allen Farthing.
Instantly the same awful hush came
over the room that might have come
had IL been the dead man himself, or
his ghost. For a moment one could
near even the breathing of the old
Squire.
1--WE just got home from Sinking
Springs. Over TO Rock Creek they told
me the report was that Karl Keichline
had been murdered" He fumbled de-
liberately In his pocket, drew out a
clay pipe. Their leaned over and begged
a match OF Tile, who produced one with
amazing alacrity.
ANY evidence about who lone it?"
he asked, seeking out an egg crate and
putting as unconcernedly as If his head
was not thrust completely into the
llion's mouth.
There was no answer, but silence
ominous and deep. like that in the best
o when the mourners sit about the
wall and the clock strikes one.
The full significance OF the visit was
growing on the crowd. Allen Farthing
had not visited the store in six months.
Why at this critical moment?
Either ii was an attempt to pull the
WOO over the eyes of the town with a
stupendous bluff, or II was q case Of
sheer Ignorance: secure in the belief
that no one could connect him with
the crime, he had come down to learn
the drift of suspicion. Squire Harris
wick stood by the counter, curled up
like q RATHER.
Now look here, folks" Farthing
Strengthened up suddenly and put
away his pipe. A nervous stir went
over the group as IL the desperate was
about TO begin revolver practice on the
lamp chimneys and oil barrels. There's
something wrong here, and we're going
to have il Outright now. I'm going
to talk fair and square. and l want you
to. What's this ! heard down to Rock
Creek about u being mixed up in this
murder? What did you go up to my
house for. Squire? What's this charge
you've been making? Why did you say
when l came in that you'd hang our
whole tribe If IL too every cent of
your property? Now don't mince mat
ters; let's ave IL straight" There was
an imperious tone in the mans voice
that demanded a hearing. The old man
squirmed little under his sharp gaze.
We've gut proof that you and your
boys done this job; proof that's good
and sufficient"
For instance, now?"
You'll nave Jest all the chance to
hear IL that you want" snapped the
Squire venomosuly. And 1t won't be
long either. I amt called On to go over
1t now.
You may do as o please, Squire
Hartswick." There was a steel ring in
the words. the man was as cool and
"self-contained as a surgeon. His cold
eye bored the man through. You a
do NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., but l want
to tell you n thing: you are laying
yourself open to mighty serious charg-
es." He rolled the words menacingly.
Il know that you've sent all over this
region charging me and my boys with
the murder of Karl Keichline, and l
know the sheriff is on his way here this
minute and all on your charge. / heard
you say. sir, myself, that you'd hang
our whole tribe If it took every cent
of your property. Now give me your
evidence"
The Squire did not finch or squirm.
He eyed the a like a wrestler watt
ing for an opening. He made no an
swer. The wrath in his face was apo
plectic.
you are doubtless aware" Squire
Hartswick," the man went on after a
pause, every word clear and round,
You doubtless know that unless you
can substantiate these charges, o
endanger yourself to a considerable
degree. a man of influence can't ruin
a poor nefghbor in these days by false
charges. That time Is in the past.
There is some very stringent and pre-
else law on hat point, as you doubt-
less know. Now you'll please accom-
modate me by stating the full charges
against me and my boys" He stopped
with cold precision, and waited the
Squire's answer.
II shan't do anything OF the sort.
You'll be under arrest in jest 80 min
utes and you won't leave this store be-
fore then. There'n be plenty of time
for charges in the proper place" The
old man was holding himself with diff
ficulty.
THAT may be; / shall make no re-
~sistance, u let me add one little thing.
For some reason. God knows why.
you've connected me with this wretch
cd murder. I've got no call to defend
myself now before 1 know the charges
against me, but I don want needless
trouble either for myself or for any
body else, and to save u and
scandal I'll simply say that, IL 1t ever
ecomes necessary. I can prove beyond
the shadow of a doubt that Tom and
I were 80 miles from Sugar Valley last
night on business that l can make per-
fectly clear"
"It's a lie,-it's all bluff! You can't
prove it." The Squire's voice was
pitched unnaturally high.
froat,pued Mart Weekly