Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-05-28
CHAPTER XIII.


a n couple OF pOrtmanteaus, across his
saddle bow. Bran and I met the lawyer
at the door.
Good evening. gentlemen. Good even
ing he called. He dismounted. and shook
hands heartily. i've brought my boy.
Dick, with me, you see" His eyebrows
arched Significantly Dicks a reliable
man, Henry. WHAT
Good l returned i've been telling
Bran about the threatening letters I've
received from the Pine owls told him
l had let you persuade me into keeping a
garrison IN the house. I think it's all non
sense. though"
"Of course-lt's fooushness" said Bran.
Cad. l wouldn't clutter up the house
with lot Of niggers and farm hands I'd
see all the fool letter writer's in the Jer-
seys hanged first.
But you were warning me against foot
pads about here only the other day" 1 re-
marked innocently.
'Eh7 Well, you know my nerves weren't
in good shape that morning" He gave
his hearty laugh. NO, no-if I were in
your place, I'd kick the whole garrison
out Of doors-not meaning you. Mr. Stock
ton, OF course. I'm not saying but what
some Of the lads of the neighborhood NAV
come mp with a calthumpian band some
night-they Go that much to every bride
and groom-ha, Ia! But as for anything
serious. It's all balderdash."
Il believe you're right" I returned.
But I've made all arrangements. so I'll
let them stand as they are. BY the wav.
Bran, what sort Of humor did you leave
Mr.. Lawrence Arnold imp
Bram's hearty manner quieted at once
He eyed me with pronounced respect. 80.
so. Henry-so, so! Cad! I wouldn't have
hrw
could have given Laurie Arnold such a
bruising. Hes so so"
This was not very definite. but I had ex-
pected nothing more I turned to Mr..
Stockton, who. was being helped off with
his great coat
Dick is. reliable, is he, sir?'
ReAable as the day is long" said the
lawyer. Funny didn't think Of Dick be-
Tore. He's as quick lightning, silent az
the grave, good as gold and the best
quail shot in the county. white or black.
what! He's brought his own firearm.
Henry"
so see. Put 1t in that rack. Dick.
Hang your powder and shot on the antIers
Now, you know the way to the kitchen
oont you? Tell Joshua to give you every
thing you want to eat. II he doesn't lst
me know, and Wen lock him IN in the
potato cellar
The man departed. grinning. and I led
Mr.. Stockton to the Washington room.
SO you've taken Rram into vour co,
Iuoehce Henry said the lawyer, as he
got himself into a ruffled shirt Told
MN frankly about Pine Owl? What Ha
ma! protest you ought to he a Justice
OF the supreme court. You have a LEGAL
mind" iesSi
had to make some explanation Of our
Warlike Preparations"
re been keeping close to the house all
'he atternoon-ever since I got back from
al MADE this morning I think I
impressed him early IN the dav."
Bran? Impressed him? How so,.,
told him the happenings OF the r,or,,,.-
emitting as immaterial n part Of the a.
talIs OF my interview with Ferriss Da,,o,,
huIn-m! Lawrence Arnold has met hi.
master at last" said the lawyer. ..Rv the
eternal! ! wish III seen the mill. What,
I've oee0 making some inquiries about him
since saw you I couldn't understand
why ne should mix up in this business
hes not the man to do II simply out OF
friendship for Bran Morvan."
Have you learned ahvthing?'
Yes, l have. Arnold is mortgaRed-
mortgaged 10 the eyes, Henry and sink
ing to the hair line. That's IT, What, Too
much santa Cruz up here at Morvan-too
much Old sledge at Bat Merry's-too much
cock fighting in the old blacksmith's shon
and Lalases and Phrynnes here and thers
in tho lower counties. That's whore b,s
moneys gone-rum and cards. and women
Mortgaged to the eyes"
Joshua knocked on the door n tall -,
that Master Bran sent word to come 70
dinner FOR heavens sake, before the goose
was cold
We discussed the dinner at length-we
were all strong men, not ashamed OF our
appetites When we came 20 the hickory
nuts and Madeira I sent Joshua-for some
reason unusually alert that night-to find
out II Baker had yet arrived In a mo-
ment the farmer himself appeared.
ION hand, I see, Baker Are you COM
fortabe?'
Yes, sir" he answered. I'm taking a
smoke on the back porch"
That's right Did you get up to the
Buckaloos 70 tell them the news today?
I started but didn't reach there"
The honest fellow shifted his feet in
embarrassment. Yes. sir. l told EN-.
It's all right. Sues wiIln'. and SOS the
old man He planted himself sqdarely.
squire, I heard about how you beat Squire
Arnold-I can't say how much I'm obliged
70 you"
I'm glad I was on the spot Baker"
When he had drunk a glass Of wine and
had left US, Bran looked up sharply.
What was Baker talking about? He
said something about Sue being willing
Willing for what?"
Didn't 1 tell your returned easily.
They're 10 be married next week"
The deuce they are" Brams face went
a yard long. The deuce they are"' he re-
peated.
What's the matter? Don't you think
us a suitable matchg''
"Eh? Oh, yes, it's suitable. right enough
The ney sort Of bowled me over because
well, aang H. Hal Only a week ago
Baker would have come 70 me about H.
dye see? The king is dead, long live the
king! Ia, Ia! I'll get used 70 IL, after a
while"
/ said nothing more on the subject. and
BY and BY We adjourned 10 the library
Bran stuck 70 US ike a brother, and 1 had
no opportunity for any private eonysrsa-
ton with Mr.. stockton.
CTO be Continually