Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-03-10

"Who may you be?"
'Then walk right in," he invited. "He's
inside"
Sagebrush was about to re-enter the
house when Dick halted him with the
request, II want to see him out here
privately"
whats the name?" asked Sage
brush, his suspicious returning.
'"Tell him an old friend from Next
CO."
Sagebrush did not like the actions of
the stranger and his secrecy. He was
there to fight his boss battles, if he
had any. This was not in the con-
tract, but it was a part read into the
paper by Sagebrush.
"Say, my names Sagebrush Charley"
he cried with show Of Importance
''I'm ranch boss for Payson. If you
want to settle any old claim agin Jack,
I'm actin as his substitoot for him this
evenin'."
con the contrary" said Lane, with
a smile at Sagebrush's outbreak, she
has claim against me-"
1t was such pleasant, kindly look
he gave Sagebrush that the foreman
was disarmed completely.
''I'll tell him}' he said over his Shout
der.
Dick unused over the changes that
had occurred since he had left the re-
gion. Two years absence from a grow
ing country means new faces, new
ranches and the wiping out Of old land
marks with the advance of population
and the invasion of the railroad. He
wondered if Jack would know him
with his beard. He knew-his mirror
told him-that his appearance had
changed greatly, and he looked twenty
years older than on the day he left the
old home ranch.
His trend of thought was interrupt
ed by the entrance of Jack on the
porch from the house.
"My names Payson," Jack began
hurriedly, casting a hasty glance back
ward into the hallway, for the cere-
mony was about to begin. "You want
to see me?"
"Jack," cried Dick, holding out his
hand eagerly-"Jack, old man, don't
you know me?' he continued falter,
ingly, seeing no sign Of recognition in
his friends eyes.
Payson gasped, shocked and startled.
The man before him was stranger
In looks, but the voice-the voice was
that Of Dick Lane, the last man in the
world he wanted to see that moment.
Frightened, almost betraying himself,
he glanced at the half open door. If
Dick entered he knew Echo would be
lost to him. She might love him truly
and her love for Dick might have
passed away but he knew that Echo
would never forgive him for the de-
ception that he had practiced upon
her.
Grasping his friends hand weakly,
he faltered, "Dick-Dick Lane"
Jack realized he must act quickly.
Some way or somehow Dick must be
kept out Of the house until after the
marriage. Then he, Jack, must take
the consequences. Dick saw his hest
tation. 1t was not what he had ex-
POSeON. LUZ SoAdCCALlS Vi Lu1SuI
have happened while he was away,
there had been so many changes.
"Why, what's the matter?' he asked
anxiously. "You got my letter? You
knew I was coming?'
Eyes, yes, I know" lamely answered
Jack. "But I expected notice. You
know you said"-
II couldn't wait. Jack. I'm a rich
man, thanks to you
Eyes, yes; that's all right" said Pay
son, disclaiming the praise Of the man
he had so grievously wronged with a
hurried acknowledgment of his graft
tude.
"And hurried back for fear Echo
"Oh, yes. I'll tell her about it when
she's ready to hear it."
what is the matter, Jack? Are yon
keeping something from me? Where
is she?'
'sIn there" said Payson feebly, point
ing to the door.
Dick eagerly started toward the
mousse, but Jack hated him, saying:
mo, you mustn't go in now. There's
q party-you see, she hasn't been well;
doesn't expect you tonight. The shock