Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-03-12


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 Lanev'
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-
pected. But something dreadful might
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 was coming?"
"Yes, yes, ! know" lamely answered
Jack. But l expected notice. You
know you said
81 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 you
keeping something from me? Where
is she?"
I'm there" said Payson feebly, point
4 ing to the door.
/ Dick eagerly started toward the
house, but Jack halted him, saying:
No, you mustn't go in now. There's
a party-you see, she hasn't been well;
doesn't expect you tonight. The shock
might be too much for her"
4 Jack grasped at the lame excuse 1t
was the first to come to his mind. He
must think quickly This experience
was tearing the heart out of him. He
could not save himself from betrayal
much longer.
You're right" acquiesced Dick. You
tell her when you get chance. Jack,
as | was saying, I've made quite bit
Of money out of my Bisbee holdings.
l can pay back my stake to you now"
mot now" said Jack nervously.
Would this torture never end? Here
was his friend, whom he had betrayed
come back in the very hour of his mar.
rlage to the woman who had promised
first to marry him. Now he was offer.
ing him money, which Jack needed
badly. for lis prospective mother-in-
law was complaining about his taking
her daughter to u mortgaged home
Sure, now" continued Dick, pulling
a roll of bills from his pocket. Its
$4,000. Here it is, all in one bundle"
Not now. Let that wait" said Jack
pushing the money aside.
Its waited long enough" cried Dick
doggedly. You put the mortgage OIL
your ranch to let me have the money
and it must be about due now"
Yes, it will be due, but let 1t wait"
whats the use? I'm all right now
l brought the cash with me on purpose
wanted to square it with you or
sight"
Dick pressed the money into Jacks
hand, closing his fingers over the roll
of bills. With sigh Of relief, as if 9
disagreeable task was completed, be
questioned, "How's Bud?"
Jack replied shortly. "All right; he's
inside"
II didn't write to him." cheerfully re
sumed Dick. 81 didn't want the kii
to know. He is so excitable he would
have blabbed it right out. I'll sure b.
glad to see the boy again. He's i'm
pulsive, but his hearts all right.
know you've kept lookout over him.
This trust in him was getting toe
much for Jack to bear, SO the voice o.
Polly crying to him to hurry up wa:
music to his ears. Pm coming" hi
shouted. IN see you in few min
utes," he told Dick. 'I've something
to tell you. 1 can't tell you now"
go in, them" answered Dick. .Il
wait yonder in the garden Don't keel
me waiting any longer than you cal
help"
Dick turned and walked slowly to
ward the gate which led to the kitch
en- garden, Il part Of every ranch home
In Arizona. 1t was cut off from the
house by struggling hedge, on which
Echo had spent many hours trying t.
keep 1t In shape.
Jack hesitated about going into the
, house. Even if Echo married him hi
knew that she would never forgive
him when she learned of his bastard
ly conduct from Dick Lanes own
mouth. 1t was better to sacrifice the
life of one to save three lives from
being ruined.
Jack followed Lane up, partly draw
ing his CUR. 1t would be so easy tt
shoot him. No one would recognize
Dick Lane in that crippled figure
Jacks friends would believe him If b,
told them the stranger had drawn OF
him and he had to shoot him In sell
defense.
: Then the thought of how dastardly
was the act Of shooting a man in tn,
back and he his trusting friend smot
! him suddenly, and he replaced the pts
r rol in it's holster. 1T is worse thai
| the murder of Old Man Terrill." b
, muttered.
3 Dick walked on, entirely unconsc!ou
Of how close he had been to death
: with his friend as his murderer.
: So interested had the two men beel
in their conversation that neither hat
4 noticed Buck Mckee hiding behind tn
: hedge, listening to their talk and GOV