The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-10-04

A Colonist Of Canaan
By lola Forester

Guess it's about their new town hall
It consists OF four flags on a center
plot at present, with a geranium bed
In the middle. l suppose I'll have to
co. Be all right, won't you, Nell?"
She nodded and smiled. 1t was 10
minutes now She watched the road
to Main street every nov and then.
half expecting Fate to play her trick
and eend the long-limbed stranger
back again. 1t wasn't wrong. She
told herself over and over again. 1t
wasn't
A hundred suggestions and plans
swept through her mind as she lis
tened to him chat of the new town hall
at Alcazar Then all at once there
was dead silence. and she turned
quickly. The colonel stood In the cen
ter of the little depot, his hands
clasped comfortably under his coat
q tails. his lips pursed up for whistle.
q And he was looking at the suitcase un-
der the window ledge, a suitcase with |
T.. the owners name written boldly across
. 1t, a. P. Dexter"
. Nell leaned her hands on the desk
and waited tensely. She had forgot
ten to hide the suitcase.
We'll. honey girl, the cat wouldn't
stay put, would It? And you going to
- all this trouble Just to try and save
= your dad from himself" The colonel
spoke very calmly, very refecuvely,
:. almost with a CLINT of humor IN his
. blue eyes, as he saw the look on Nell's
face. When did Jack Dexter get
y here."
~ Father, listen" She put both
hands up on his shoulders and leaned
,o her face against his chin She was
lust about on a level with his chin
You must take this train. Surely.
nd when you know you're in the right,
at 1t doesn't matter what other people
think. They don't know for sure that
, y you are here yet The night operator
ad said you were, but know he isn't GER
tain. l can turn Jack Dexter away
n He didn't know me at all. Think OF
them sending him down here to bring
you back. the boy that owed every
thing to you
II He had to do his duty If they sent
him | certainly wish 1t had beer
some one else. | always set heap b,
Jack He's right fine boy. Studied
law with the Judge after we left, Nell
: II understand he's prosecuting attor
\ ney.'
From the bridge came the whistl
of the 10. She was on time to tn
II minute. The ticker was calling tn
II Canaan operator, and she went to II
the tears streaming from her eyes.
II the local pulled in the colonel stoo
In the doorway and swept his broad
brimmed felt hat OF in general 81
II lutte.
extra passenger.
Somebody came hurrying along til
platform and into the depot
81 can't locate him yet, but I'm goin
ri to stay over" Jack Dexter stoppe
short and whistled softly under b
IA breath The colonel held Nell close
ST him. and smiled
~ How are you. boy, how are you
he said, heartily. Il can't offer you N
hand, because, you see, they're bot
engaged. I'm mighty glad to ses yo
ord again, Jack Just take your suitcas
this right over to my house. sir. and we
and have a good dinner before we sta
north tonight. He put up one haI
p its as JACK started 10 eApiaii'' anu sno'
r II his head warningly NO need for e
shed plantations. l understand the situate
nted thoroughly l dout want to distu
that Nellie here, with any of the details" "
the But, Colonel Acton" Jack {
ask claimed You don't know what +
naan after, sir | came down to let "
,artv know that that indictment is squash
flatter than pancake. The whole CT
a IN is waiting to welcome you back,
you'll only come. The president of t
ID a bank confessed to the full amour
ere's swore he had made scapcgoat of yt
aker. sir, and then gracefully committed S
eide. 1t was the wisest thing hs
he done in five years
@ in well. now, that's too bad"
COMO colonel said. regretrully tie neeo
I'll have done that. l was comfortal
down here. It's home to Nell and 4
IS he self In fact, we feel rather resp
main sible for the future of Canaan. Migf
liking fine CT you to come down and let
know, Jack. though; mighty fine
was 81 wanted to be the first to tell y
n the sir" Dexter's hand gripped the {
num- | oneIs closely. "A crowd OF the ne
paper boys were after your trail. bu
lease knew you'd be 10 the same place VIII
him YOU left word we could ind you II ,
Ter to were wanted"
n TO The colonel smiled in pleased. CT
not Portable fashion all his own.
him "We keep our word, we Actions.
said Don't We, Nell?'
bours Il can hardly say that" she faltel
dear Il didn't tell the truth to Mr.. I
river ter when he asked me If | knew J
ok on just couldn't. | don't know what
d i'm must think of me-"
% the Think of your" gasped Dexter.
ushed think you are the bravest, tru
a. but bulliest-'
I him The colonel coughed and glance,
his watch
1oney 1--WE will all lunch In honor of