Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-07-09

her hands, and with a towel knotted
about her head, appeared at the door:
She took a startled step backward
when she saw the crowd.
why, what's the natter" she
gasped. What's happened?" h put
her hand UP TO shade her eyes and
examined the scene with bewilderment.
rs Mr.. Farthing at homer" The
sheriff stepped forward with business
swing.
They're up in the Gap peeling bark"
she answered. Blu what are you all
here for? What is IT? What's hap
pened?"
I'VE suspect that YOU folks had
something to do with that break last
night, and 1t is our duty TO search your
premises"
Break? Why, what do you mean ??
She took a step nearer the sheriff and
looked up at him appealingly.
My store was broken into last night
and robbed, and we've got proof that
your people were the ones that done
it," broke In the squire brutally.
"Why-why, our people break into a
store?"
ness. We've got a warrant to search
your premises, and we're going to do
it. Come on. Sheriff"
Why, certainly" she said briskly.
You are welcome 10 go anywhere you
wish and search"
Here, Johnson and Carpenter, come
in here with u.s. ordered the sheriff
authoritatively, Squire, l shall want
you. The rest of you stay where you
are" The four followed Mrs. Farthing
into the house. In half an hour they
appeared at the door.
Nothing In the house." announced
the Squire, briskly. w are going TO
try the barn now" For 10 minutes
more there was no movement. Then
Johnson and Carpenter came u at a
side door.
1t was evident from their looks that
something had happened.
What is it?" called several in
chorus.
Nothing; only we've found the kit.
We've got the whole layout" They
did not wait for further explanations,
but pressed toward the barn with q
rush. Several entered, and the others
crowded the door.
Keep out of here!" yelled the sheriff.
They fell back, but Immediately
crowded forward again. After a no.
ment they were IN the middle Of the
barn floor. The squire II the Sheriff
were in ono corner. From under a
heap Of hay they were pulling out n
by one various articles. A pair of rub
Der boots, a suit of clothes, a blanket,
and a number Of ans of salmon lay In
a heap beside them.
"Only eleven here" announced the
squire coolly as If he were taking ac-
count of stock. They had salmon for
breakfast. All. see herei" He was
blowing the chaff from a large, thin
book. That's my stamp book; stamps
still in it. Here, Sheriff, u EN-;
there ought to be 81 worth In ones and
twos."
The sheriff took the book and ran
over the number of stamps between
the pages. There were 1920 worth. The
squire was still fumbiing in the hay. A
sharp exclamation turned all yes in
his direction.
Good God. see here!" His voice
fairly broke In its excitement. That's
Karl Keichline's stamp book, took the
night he was murdered. Here, Sheriff,
look at IL for Gods sake"
BY mighty, you're right" cried the
sheriff, excitediy. That's it. Look
here: Report of the Secretary of Ag-
r%iculture, 1886. See, the covers loose
and there's the blot on the front.
Stamps all gone. Yes-suh, that's the
very book" He continued to handle
il in a dazed sort of way. There was
an absolute hush about him in the
barn. They stood gaping at the book,
and no one breathed.
Amy of you remember what l said?"
spoke up the Squire at length. with the
tons of the mar who says Il told yeh
So" after the event. He had arisen,
and he gesticulated heavily as he talk
ed. Them Farthings can't bulldoze
and bluff me. I knew all the time Jim
Farthlng killed Karl; l knew it as we'll
as l knew / was alive and breathing.
And you thought the old mar was mis-
taken, did yeh? Where's Amos?
Heigh?" There was a rasping sneer in
the searching party; he was at home
and at work.
II don't seem to see him, do you?
Wal. sub, all I can say is hat o folks
are in luck. the biggest kind of luck,
and all because | didn't lose my head
and be bluffed out Of what I knew. l
tell yeh a den OF murderers in your
back yard amt safe. We've found
goods in this haymow from three diff
ferent breaks. and there's more under
there. You can all thank your lucky
stars you're alive. that's all. Poo
Karl-he knocked him over jest like a
chicken He made a dash at his
eyes with his coat sleeve.
A wave OF Indignation was gathering
in the crowd sinister and deep. They
had been angry when they started
from the store, and the sight of the
stamp book Infatuated them. The low
murnurs grew in a moment TO angry
denunciation, then quickly into cries
of hate and vengeance. They had not
the slightest doubt that they stood in
the. retreat of the veritable murderers.
Fear, self protection, apprehension OF
they knew not what mingled with their
feelings for Karl to lash them to mad
ness. Little knots gathered here and
there arguing excltedly. Then all at
once a single voice raised the wolf
cry and they were beyond reason
Lynch EN-"
(Contiaued Ncxs Week.l