Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-07-02


II know. but-oht IT'S all upon my so-
count II It hadn't been for me, they'd
never have come here. It's all my fault"
mo, no. You've been misied all along by
a clever scoundrel Rememberi they told
you themselves they were after plumber
they, didn't come for any other reason.
Cousin went on, you must be worn
out Let Sue put you to bed You can go
home when you're rested tomorrow-or to-
day-it must be nearly morning"
She was to weary to protest Indeed, she
had been through an agony OF terror and
anguish that might well have turned her
brain. slipped my arm about her should
ers, and supported her TO the very door
OF Sues room. She gave me a long look.
Then Sue closed the door softly behind her.
Dick was distinguishing the candles in
the hall. It was almost daylight Mr..
Stockton and Hubbard we're awaiting NEE
Sam has gone for our horses. Henry"
said the lawyer. "Now's the time to finish
up this business" He brandlshed handful
OF warrants. You and l and Hubbard
must be riding. Yes and Bran, too"
Where are we going?"
'Everywhere-everyw where. What I'll
send Dick down to the village to my clerk,
F1thian. Ffthian will see that the machln-
cry Of the law runs true OF course. well
have to report all this fighting to the au-
thorities. Fortunately I'm about the chief
authority myself-in this particular cause
l and Hubbard. Are you ready there,
Bramfield?"
My cousin got on his feet. He stretched
himself stlffy. Yes, SIR" he answered
His tone was grave, but free OF resent
ment. I'm ready. Let's get through with
it,"
In five minutes we were all booted and
spurred. Sam brought the horses We all
mounted and swept around the house. Sew
eral FLASHES OF blood were distinctly visit
BILE upon the whitening grass.
"Just So" said the bailiff Some sick
people in the swamp today. ! guess"
The sun rose out OF the pines as we
cantered sharply down the slope. In those
same pines murder had lately been hatch
ing-perhaps ruffans were even then drag
ging their shattered limbs through the
thickets.
Mr.. Stockton seemed to be lost In thought.
The bailiff, too, looked grim. 1 did not
care to ask them our destination. How
ever, 1 soon perceived that we were maxi
ing toward Falrview township. Doubtless
we would trap Lawrence Arnold, lurking
like a wounded tiger in HIS den. We might
Bran glanced side-long at me from time
to time If l looked as l felt, my face was
not encouraging; but when our horses fell
to walk, he refined beside me.
I've been a cad, Hal" he said. II must
have been Grassy"
understood his character too well to be-
lieve that he was endeavoring to fend off
punishment by this acknowledgment. He
was not the man 70 cry for quarter. His
words told OF q genuine repentance, but
was in no position to answer him. He sur
veyed me ruefully, and fell back 70 his
place.
We gained the Fairview turnpike and
galoped along 1t. 1t was a glorious autumn
morning Silvery networks glistened in the
grass beside the road: The sky above the
pines was blue as steel. woodpecker
called piercingly from blasted oak.
1t was the spot where the avenue to
Fairview branched from the turnpike, yet
We were passing 1t at a gallop.
This is the place. Mr.. Stockton" called.
Aren't we going to Fairview?"
mot yet-not yet, Henry" answered the
lawyer over his shoulder. Were after a
craftier fox than Lawrence Arnold. No, no.
it's the keystone of the arch we want. If
We break the keystone, there won't be any
arch. What Come on. before he out
wits U.S."
Amazed, spurred my roam after him.
But, Pine Owlr' l said, as we pounded
along. He must be the man we want"
Yes, you're right, Henry-youre right
Pine Owls the man-if he's alive. Yes, yes,
II he's alive"
But isn't Arnold Pine owl?''
"No-he isn't" returned the lawyer.
you'll see-one moment"
We turned sharply into a sandy path. II
was the back road to Chestnut Farms. ]
caught the lawyers eye. and a dreadful
suspicion seized me.
Good Heavens!"
Mr., Stockton pursed his lips. II won't
swear to it-not yet but" He nodded
significantly.
We dsmounted a hundred yards below
the house.
Hold the horses, Mr.. Bran, II you
please" directed Mr.. stockton. you won't
want to take part in this. suppose. Now.
then, gentlemen"
We FASTENED forward on foot. The house
faced us stark in the morning light. It's
implanted woodwork showed ghastly-its
gaunt windows were eloquent of misery.
We stole forward cautiously, but no
where was there a sign Of life. The bailff
pOlnteu 10 udFk plOtcn on Lno lowest step
of the porch. There was another on the
very doorsill.
He turned the knob. The door yielded,
and we slipped into the house. The blotches
on the doorstep might have prepared me
for anything, yet the poverty of the place
appalled, me.
As we passed into the nearest room Hub
bard uttered an exclamation. He crossed
the room at stride and threw back a
shutter. The light poured in and / stared
about Pine Owl had been overtaken at
last
Bowed over a center table sat John Day
ton. His square shoulders were dropped
and his head hung forward. but the dead
hand still grasped the pen with which he
had been writing his last effort at decep-
tion--writing In the same quaint characters
in which, although disguised. he had in
dited Pine Owls warnings to me.
Hubbard read the note in a low tone.
ITO my dear Daughter: Forgive me for
the shock your finding me here will cause
you. 1 had intended to die In the chestnut
grove-I shot myself there, but feared dis
covery before death came, 80 have
dragged myself to the house. You may find
some bloodstains where / leaned against
the rails. l die by my own hand--life has
become insupportabls to me. Poverty ana
infirml--"
He had died as he uyrota