Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-08-13
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CHAPTER Xxx.

about the mysterious DISAPPEARANCE OF
Grant Porter. Within a fortnight he hat
received several warnings from his broth
er marking his itinerary eastward. Sny,
der was evidently moving with a fixed
purpose; and, as Wheaton had received
brief notes from him couchcd in phrases
of amiable irony. pcSCmarked Denver, and
then, within a few days, Kansas City, he
surmised that his brother was travelling
on fast trains and therefore with money
in his purse.
: He had that morning received a postaI
card, signed wv. W. which bore "A few
haunting sentences in a handwriting
which Wheaton readily recognized. He
did not Tor an instant question that win
lam Wheaton, alias Snyder, had abduct'
ed Grant Porter, nor did be belittle the
situation thus created as it affected hin
He faced it coldly, as was his way. He
ought not to have refused Snyder's ap'
peals, he confessed to himself the deb,
he owed his brother for bearing the whole
burden of their common youthful crime
had never been discharged. The brides
and subtcrfuges which Wheaton had EN-.
ployed to keep him away from Clarksor
had never been prompted by brotherly
gratitude or generosity, but always by
his fear of having so odlous a connection
made public. He was face to face with
the crucial moment where concealmcnt
involved completely in a crime. His duty
lay clear before him-his duty to his
friends, the Porters-to the woman whom
he knew he loved. Was he equal to it:
II Snyder were caught he would be sure
to take revenge on him; and Wheaton
knew that no matter how guiltless he
might show himself in the eyes of the
world, his career would be at an end he
could not live in Clarkson Evelyn Por
ter would never see him again.
The Gazette stated that a district tele'
graph messenger had left at Mr.. Porter's
door a note which named the terms Oh
which Grant could be ransomed. The
amount was large-more money than
James Wheaton possessed: it was not a
great deal for William Porter to pay.
1t had already occurred to Wheaton that
he might pay the ransom himself and
carry the boy home, thus establishing
a claim upon the PoIters. He
dismissed this the risks of ex-
posture We're too great. He turned all
these matters over in his mind. Clearly
the best thing to do was to let the climax
come. His brother was IA criminal with
record, who would not find it easy to
drag him into the mire. His own ca
reer n position in Clarkson were unas-
Very likely the boy would be
found quickly and the incident would
close with Snyder's sentence to a long
imprisonment. He would face it out no
what happened, aud the more he
of it the likelier it seemed that
HAD o%yerleaped himself and would
soon lie where he could no longer be a
mennc
He went down to dinner late, in the
clothes that he had worn at the bank
all day and thus brought upon himself
the banter of Caldwell, the Transconti-
agent, who sang out as he entered
the dining-room door:
whats the matter, Wheaton? Sold
or pawned your other clothes? Come on
now and give us the real truth about the
kidnapping" said Caldwell with cheerful
interest. You'll better watch the bank
or the same gang may carry it off next
II guess the banks safe enough
Wheaton answered. And l don't know
anything except what l read in the pa.
pers." He hoped the others would not
think him Indifferent but they were
busy discussing various rumors and thee.
ries as to the route taken by the kidnap.
ers and the amount of ransom. He threw
in his own comment and speculatiens
from time to time.
"Raridan's out chasing them" saiG
Caldwell. II passed him and Saxton
driving like mad out Merriam street al
noon The mention of Raridan and
Saxton did not comfort Wheaton. He re
iiected that they had undoubtedly been tc
the Porter house since the alarm hat
been sounded, and he wondered whether
been remarked at the Hill. His finger.
when he had finished he hurrledly feft
the room.
He felt easier when he got out into
the cool night air. His day at the banl
had been one long horror but the clan:
OF the cars, the lights in the streets, CAV,
him contact with life again. He mus
hasten to offer his services to the Porters
though he knew that every means of as
~sistance had been employed. and tina
there was nothing to do but to make in
ouiries. He grew uneasy as his car near
ed the house, and he climbed the slope o
the hill like one who bears a burden. III,
had ~traversed this walk many times il
the past year. in the varying moods of
lover, who one day walks the heights AM
is the next plunged into the depths ant
latterly, since his affair with Margravc
he had known moods of conscience. too
and these returned apo him with fore
holdings now. If Porter had not been i'll
there would never have been that inter
view with Margrave Mt the bank ant
Grant would not have been at home to b.
Kidnapped. 1t seemed to him that the trou
bles Of other people rather than his owl
errors were bearing down the balance
against his happiness.
EVELYN came into the parlor with eye
red from weeping "Oh. have You nj
news?' she cried to him. He had KEEP
on his ovsercoat and held his hat in hi
hand. Her grief stung him a great a
81 tenderness swept over him. but It wa
followed ~ awnve of terror. Evelyi
wept q she tried to tell her story.
aIt il dreadful, horrible! y he forces
Aimsel9 TO say. But certainly no harr
can come to the boy. No doubt in q fey
aBut he isn't strong and father is still
Weak--
ahc threw herself in a chair and he
Npayx broke forth afresh. Wheaton stoos
impo:ently watching her anguish. 1t is
new. aqd strange sensation which a maj
experienc0 VIXEN Air the first time h
- stassa Ia the eyes Of the woman b
Vonvn Sxang up su4denlN
I'm Warrs ?rsshc aaked-
- back yeti!