Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-03-10
s. Barring GOULD
CHAPTER XIX.
The Old Gun.

IL
Evening had set in, the room was
not only chilly, it was dark. He sat
In his leather-backed leather-armed
chair with his stick in his hands,-in
both hands, held across him, and now
and then he put the stick I'D to his
mouth and gnawed at it in the middle
AT others he made a sudden move
ment, slipping his hand down to the
Ierule and striking in the air with the
handle at the black spots which
noated in the darkness, of a black
ness most Intense. He was leased
Il Dy them, and by his inability to strike
tnem aside. His stick went through
them, as through ink, and they closed
again when cut, and drifted on
through his circle of vision unhurt,
undfsturbed.
MI. Coyshe was gone; he had or
oered the old man to be left as much
In quiet as might be, and he had
taken boy from the farm with him
on horse, to bring back a soothing
draught which he promised to send.
Mr. Jordan had complained of sleep
lessness, his nerves were evidently in
high and perilous state of tension.
Before he left, Mr.. Coyshe had said
to Barbara, Keep your eye on your
father, there is irritation somewhere.
He talks in an unreasoning manner.
| VIII send him something to compose
MIN, and call again tomorrow. In
the meantime he coughed, II
would not allow him to shave him.
self
Barbara's blood curdled. You do
not think She was unable to finish
her sentence
Do as | say, and do not allow him
to suppose himself to be watched
Now Barbara acted with unfortun-
ate indescretion. Knowing that her
father was suspicious of her, and COM
planned of her observing him, know
Ing also that his suspicious extended
to Jasper whom she disliked, know
ing also that he had taken a liking
for Jane, she bade Jane remain about
her father, and not allow him to be
many minutes unmatched.
Jane Immediately went to the old
gentleman, and told him the instruc-
tons given her. 'And-please your
honor she crept close to him, i've
seen him. He is on the Raven Rock.
He has lighted fire and is warming
himself. l think it be the very man
that was took here, but I can't say
: for certain, as / didn't see the face OF
him as was took, nor of him on the
Rock, but they be both men, and
much about height
Janet Is Joseph anywhere about
No sir,-not higher than Tavis-
took
Go to him Immediately. Bid him
collect what men he can, and sur
round the fellow and secure him.
But, your honor! Miss Barbara said
| was to watch you as a cat watches
mouse
Who is master here, I or she? I
order you to go; and if she is angry
will protect you against her. am
to be watched, am I? By nv own
children? By my servant This Is
more than l can bear The whole
world is conspiring against me. How
can I trust anyone-even Jane? How
can say that the police were not
brlbed before they let him go? And
they may be bribed again. Trust none
but myself he muttered, and stood
up.
Please master said Jane you may
be certain / will do what you want.
I'm not like some folks, as is unnat-
ural to their very parents. Why,
sir! what do you think AS l were
coming in, who should run by me.
looking the pictur' of fear, but Miss
Eve. And where do v think her
ruined? Why sir-I watched her. and
she went as fast as a leaping hare
over the fields towards the Raven
Rock-to where he be. Well. I'm
sure I'd not do that. don't mind a.
going to love feasts in chapel with
Joseph. but I wouldn't go seeking him
in wood. Some folks have TOO
much self-respect for that, l reckon
She muttered this looking up at the
old man, uncertain how he would take
it.
Co. said he. 'Leace me-go at
once
Presently Barbara came in, and
found her father alone.
What, no one with you papa?'
'No-I want to be alone. Do you
grudge me quiet? Must live under a
microscope Must I have everything
1 do marked, every word noted? Why
do you peer in here? Am an escaped
felon to be guarded? Am I likely to
break out Will you leave me? / tell
you l do not want you here. 1 desire
solitude. I have had you and Coyshe
and Eve jabbering here till my head
spins and my temples are bursting.
Leave me alone Then, with the
craftiness of incipient arrangement
he said, I have had two-three bad
nights, and want sleep. I was doing
in my chair when Jane came in to
light the fire. sent her out. Then,
when WAS p0ddinO off again