Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-01-28
on the door nothing was shown but


during the half hour he sat star
ing wildly at the heap. occasionally
turning. with start. TO hear In the
chirrup of "A cricket the jeering cackle
OF old John Rooney.
Presently he rose. cleared the rub
bish into the yard and went 10 bed
Next morning the first poignancy Of
his disappointment was passed. In
deed. the matter that stood most prom
inently In his mind was the loss of the
f20O he had paid for the field. But on
further thought he was able TO relieve
his depression by the conclusion that
he would have small difficulty in coax
ing the amount from easy going Frank
and so restore affairs 10 their original
condition.
With this purpose in view he set out
to call on Frank. quite forgetting the
warning in the will and the bamboo
stick.
Frank, too, appeared to have permit
ted his testamentary duties TO slip his
memory, for he babe the old man well
come and hailed him to the parlor with
every demonstration OF respect. The
object OF Toms visit filled him with
delighted speculation. Was 1t some
thing about Kitty? Had Tom repented
of his harsh opposition?
His heart leaped wildly. but grew
calm enough again when Tom referred
with mournful air to the matter of the
purchase of the field as the reason OF
his call.
The mention of Kitty was enough
for Frank. Up he jumped and. going
to the press In the corner, extracted
from little box the check just as
Tom handed 1t to him.
Toms eyes glittered as he crushed 1t
into his pocket.
You're a thoroughbred, Frank"
said he, land If can do anything for
We, my boy, command me-"
"Give me Kitty, then" said Frank.
promptly Selling the opportunity.
Good humor instantly fled the old
mans face. 1t became hard, flinty.
But, conscious that he owed Frank
something for the ready return of the
| check. he resorted to diplomatic eva
sion to smooth over the incident.
Before l answer that let me ask
| you a question:" he said.
"Well?
"Have you ever made a search for
Rooneys money that he got by the
American uncleT
Indeed / did. l searched every
where in the house, but not a thrace
! of 1t could find"
"But it must be somewhere, Frank.
Ould John couldn't have taken 1t away
with him."
That's thrue."
"Well. now, just listen to this. If
you find that money I'll give you Kit
ty."
Franks eyes rolled wildly in the ex-
element Of the prospect this remark
opened out to him. In one Of these
revolutions they encountered the bam-
boo stick. A chill struck him, for he
was at once reminded Of the duty i'm
posed by the will, which left him no
alternative but to belt out Of the
house the man whom 1t was his best
interest to propitiate. But. though his
soul girded at the task, the bamboo
drew him as II the very spirit of old
John Rooney possessed It.
Sorry I am, Tom Gaynor, but y
must get out Of this" he said, leaping
to his feet and running to the corner.
Remember what the will said. man.
You're to be belted out Of this place
every time We come into It. Be OF
now, II you place. Quick. mani Sure
it's not my fault, but it can't be help
ed anyway"
Frank purposely fumbled with the
stick TO allow Tom to collect faculties
grievously scattered by the abrupt out
burst.
Are We gomez" cried Frank, wav-
ing the bamboo menacingly as he
swung around, just in time to see old
Toms coattails disappear through the
door
Down along the path sped Tom,
with Frank not a yard behind i'm
proving his position gradually by way
Of demonstrating that there was no
deception in his effort To give fur
Their evidence Of his determination to
/ carry out his testamentary obligations.
he made a fierce blow at Tom just as
he flew through the gate. The blow
missed Tom, as indeed It was intended
to do. but struck the gate with ter
rife force
Now in safe territory. Tom drew up
gasping for breath, while Frank gazed
ruefully ut the bamboo broken across
the middle.
"Begor. I've done for ould Rooney's
bamboo" said he But what's this
hereY" gazing closely at the slit ITS
hollow within. and there's something
in 1t. What can 1t be-" he added, pull
ing out a long tube Of papers
There's more Of them here up the
hollow" he said. throwing the papers
on the ground and proceeding TO fur
ther investigation. This is something
ould Rooney hid here. I'll hould We.
What can It name, / wondher?"
"Mane" cried Tom. who had picked
up the roll and opened f. what can
It maner with a hoarse shout at
names that these are bank notes for
ESQ apiece; aye. and here are move for.
f1O0."
The pair stood and gasped their as
constituent
The American legacy" whispered
Frank when he had caught his breath
That's just what It is" returned
Tom. vaulting from trembling excite
ment 10 genial enthusiasm. Frank.
my boy. I congratulate We. Ye're the