The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-07-16
There was the closing of door and

| Je-ullIll' WulStleu IldStuS " AAAAA
SELF EFF dat amt a row den rs
white, An all over dat highfalutin'
! man, wha's only been here tree weeks.
OATS why Miss Ethel cries all de time
an here he comes now"
Up the wooded lane walked two
men, one attired in the latest fashion,
the other dressed most quietly, but
with sinister repelling countenance.
Come now, Jack" he was saying,
don't be hard on fellow when the
prey is so nearly within our grasp"
"Our grasp" the other repeated
with a sneer. "You say that nice, but
I've heard you talk before, Dick Malby.
You owe me something on that other
deal, and I say square old accounts
before you open new ones"
But haven't got cent, Jack. /
had a talk with the old man this
morning, and he promised me his
daughters hand He will make her a
wedding gift of five thousand dollars,
and half of that is yours the minute
get my hands upon It,"
ugh! That's all right as 1t sounds,
but 1 want my money"
well, how are you going to get it,"
Gust this way" A wicked CLEAN
flashed from the speakers eye. "You
know the reward down in New Or
leans that's waiting for the man who
pipes you OFF,"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Wouldn't 1? You owe me a good
sum, and that would square accounts"
But be reasonable for a short time,
man. I can't get the money"
'The old gent has got a safe full Of
gold and a house full of silverware.
You'll help me crack the ranch, and
nobody will know you were in it, and
I'll call it square. Is it a go?"
What do I get?"
"One-third of the plate"
I'm with you"
The two strolled down the winding
path. The twilight had deepened into
dusk when Rastus crawled cautiously
from his hiding place, and glancing In
all directions to make sure that his
mother or her emissaries were not in
the vicinity, skurried away.
The mantle of the night had fallen
over the great white house. All was
silent within and without The large
old-fashioned clock in the dining room
licked slowly, and with a great deal of
preparatory whirring made ready to
strike the hour of three. Suddenly
among the acacia bushes just outside
the library window there was a rust.
ling sound, not as of the breeze stir
ring the foliage. but as though a hui.
man foot had trodden upon dry twig
For moment all was still, then there
was cautions scraping at the sash
Presently, with a clink, the piece of
glass was removed, and a hand came
through the aperture. feeling for the
window catch. The sash was gently
raised, and a head covered with a
piece of Grape surmounted by a tat
tered hat was thrust inside
The man drew himself through the
opening and passed noiselessly into the
dining room. Soon he returned, and
leaning over the sill murmured:
Course 1t, Dick, come up yourself.'
Another man mounted the ladder,
and the two went into the dining
room. Suddenly from behind the tall
old clock darted a little black object.
A rush Of wind, bang, and the door
between the library and dining room
was fast. Then there was a shout,
and the hall was filled with men.
Aroused by the noise, Squire Hartford
was one of the first to appear.
What does this mean?" he thun-
dered. who are you, and what"
But with crash the dining room
door had been broken open and the
two prisoners dragged forth. With his
hands on the collar of one of them
Charles Gordon said:
ut means that you were to have
been robbed-and murdered had you
shown any resistance. Rastus over
heard the plot and warned me. He
was secreted behind the clock, and sue
ceeded In performing a brave act
Now, squire, look well at this villain!"
And the young man tore away the
mask from the face of Richard Harrol
II have been a fool, Charlie" said
the squire, when he had recovered
from his surprise. Come and SEQ
Ethel tomorrow. AS for you, you imp
OF darkness" he went on, turning to
Rastus, you are a brave boy, and I
shall not forget what you have DONE"
Rastus grinned with delight, but
suddenly catching sight of his mother
among the crowd Of frightened serv-
ants in the doorway he became very
grave. and looking confidingly into the
squire's face, asked:
Does I git licked for taking dat
| jam?"-Waverley Magazine