The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-08-12
rnsss was the closing o. a deer AID

"Je-mlmii" whistied hastus 70 nis.'
self EFF dat amt row zen
whites An all over dat hisnfaiutan
man. wha's only been here tree weeks
OATS why Miss Ethel cries all de ti'ns
--an' here he comes now.
Up the wooded lane walked TWO
men. one attired in the latest fashion.
the other dressed most quietly oat
with a sinister. repelling countenanee.
aCome now. Jack" he was saying
"don't be hard on fellow when tns
prey Is 80 nearly within our sFasp
sour grasp" the other repeated
with a sheer. ''You say that nice. but
rye heard you talk before. Dick Maioy.
You owe me something ON that other
deal. and say square old accounts
before you open new ones"
~But I haven't got cent. Jack. !
had a talk with the old man this
morning. and he promised me his
daughters hand. He win make her a
wedding gift Of Ave thousand dollars.
and half OF that Is yours the minuts
get my hands upon H."
~Ughl That's all right as Il sounds,
but I want my money"
well. how are YOU going to get III
~Just 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 orr
'You wouldn't dare"
wouldn't /? You owe me goca
sum, and that would square accounts.
"But be reasonable for a short time,
man. 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 win know you were In X. and
I'll call II square. Is Il goT'
what DO ! get7"
"One-third Of the plate"
I'm with you"
The two strolied down the winding
path. The twilight had deepened int
dusk when Rastus crawled cautiously
from hts hiding place. and CHANGING IN
all directions 70 make sure that his
mOthersor her emissafles 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-fashloued clock In the dining room
licked slowly. and with a great deal Of
preparatory whirring made ready 70
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. bur AZ though hu'
man foot had trodden upon a dry twiK
For a moment al was sfiii then there
was a cautions scraping AZ the sash,
Presently. with a ciink. the piece Of
glass was removed. and a hand cama
through the aperture. feeling for ths
window catch The sash was gently
raised. and a head covered with a
piece OF Grape snrmounsed by a tat
tered hat was thrust inside
The man drew himself through ths
opening and passed noisclessiy into ths
dining room. Soon he returned. and
leaning over the SIN murmured.
Curse Il. Dick. come up yourself. =
Another man mounted the ladder.
and the two went into the dining
room. Suddenly from behind the tall
old clock dartcd 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 filed with men.
Aroused by the noise, Squire Hartford
vas one Of the first 70 appear.
what does this mean7~ he thun-
dered. who are you. and what
But with a 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:
EFT means that you were TO have
been robbed-and murdered had you
shown any resistance. Rassus over
heard the plot and warned me. He
was secreted behind the clock. and suc-
ceeded in performing brave act.
Now. squire. look well at this vliiaini"
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 brave boy. and
shall not forget what you have done."
Rastus grinned with delight. but
suddenly catching sight OF his mother
among the crowd Of frightened ssrv.
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 7"-Waverley Magazine.