The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1910-02-22

That night he wrote again to hi.

long stroll. This time the pair fol-
lowed the creek still further up the
gorge.
They saw nothing or the prodigal.
| Presently the boy stopped.
Here's where / saw Jed loiterin', e"
he said.
The keen eyes of the stranger
glanced about
And then a gun rang out and a bit
of lead flattened against the rock not
far above the strangers head.
The boy gave cry OF alarm, but
the stranger did not move. Only the
hand on his belt seemed to slip back
a little.
Hi. there. you below" cried a
hoarse voice from the ledge above.
These are private grounds. an you
amt no business here There's shoot
in goin' on around here an you're
likely TO get hurt. Better mosey back
where you came from"
The stranger looked at the boy.
"Its all my fault. jed cried the
boy. Il brought the stranger up here
He amt to blame. The fishin's no
good down below
Its a DUN sight worse up here"
growled the prodigal. you steer
your stranger right about face and
keep him away-you mind me-
Strangers amt welcome hereabouts. ="
"All right, friend,' cried the
stranger. in his easy way. There
isn't any harm done. Only it might
be better for you TO put up a warning
sign instead of using your cunning
method Come, boy"
They trudged back together. neither
looking around nor speaking until
they were some distance away.
"Artie," said the stranger, I'm
thankful you were with me this morn
ing. II you don't mind I'll shake
hands with you"
The boy wonderingly shook hands
with the stranger.
You don't think Jed really meant
to shoot you, do you?" he asked.
IF he had any such idea he
dropped it when he saw you" said
the stranger. But it was beautiful
spot for an accident-or a hiding
place"
Then they trudged along in silence.
the stranger smiling and the boy oc-
casionally looking at him in wonder.
That night he varied his custom.
He didn't send the usual mail com
munication. He telegraphed this mes
sage to his New York friend from the
Office in the little hotel: Leave here
soon. Much better Look for me at
any time"
Tho operator no doubt regarded
this dispatch as only mildly interest
ing. but he would have been consid-
erably surprised If he could have
read between the lines.
The simple message was at once a
revelation and a demand for help.
After he had returned to the cot
tage he called the boy outside and
they sat together on the little porch,
the stranger smoking and the boy
watching the rings Of smoke that
iloated above his head.
I'm well pleased with you, boy"
said the man presently. II find you
are just the lad was sure you would
prove to be. And now | am going to
trust you to do a very responsible
thing"
He paused and looked at Artie.
"All right, sir"
The strangers voice dropped.
at concerns the prodigal."
"Yes. sir.
There are reasons why want him
watched"
81 don't care for the reasons, sir. 8"
Good They will come later. I
want you to follow him tomorrow.
/ Keep out of his sight, but don't let
him get out of yours. am going
away early in the morning I will
return as soon as possible"
! Tomorrow, sir?"
! Eyes, but not before afternoon.
/ There are papers / must secure at
Springfield There are men must
meet I am leaving this trust in your
hands. my boy"
"Ill do my best, sir"
"I'm sure Of that. The prodigaI
may go to the place where you have
seen him. He will look for some
thing there. no doubt Watch him.
He may prepare to go away. Watch
him"
He glanced at the boy.
q understand. sir And when am
| to tell you all about it,"
" If there is anything that you think
I should know as soon as possible,
leave a note for me here at the
| house"
Eyes. said the boy You'll tell
me what II all means afterward, won't
| you. sir?"
Yes. yes. and you'u find Il fine
story--if the ending proves all right. 8"
He reached out his hand Good
/ night. partner"
Good night"
The man sat on the porch for some
! time after he finished his cigar
Then he stepped down and walked
/ away I'm the darkness. lie was gone
q half hour or more. When he came
\ back he paused ON the steps
Hes there, all right" he NUT
/ tered. He won't make any attempt
TO get away before tomorrow lie
/ yawned heavily. You've worried me
for two years. my man" he growled.
but your worrying hours are nearly
/ ended"
He crossed the porch and softly en-
/ tered the house.
When the boy arose the next morn
\ ing the stranger had gone He was