The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1911-01-27
THE CONVICT
GUARDIAN
Love For His Ward ImpelIed
Him to Crime.


mo. 146. you are discharged from
this prison and may 60 where you like
hope you'll live an honest life and
not have to come back here again."
As the warden spoke the prisoner
stared at him as though his mind were
upon other matters. then. without re-
ply, fastened out into the world.
Several years before this Henry
Tracy was young business man Of
such marked ability that when Man
ming Brightman, an intimate friend,
though fifteen years his senior, died 1t
was found that Tracy had been named
sole executor Of bis estate and guard
Ian Of the only heir, Edith Brightman,
seventeen years old. One day Abel
Barnicourt, who had once been Bright
mans attorney, produced papers trans-
ferring the whole estate to Sarah Par
ton, who claimed to be the second wife
of the deceased. These papers dlsap-
peared, and there was such strong EVIL
dence that Tracy had stolen them that
his incarceration followed. While he
was in prison the estate remained In
litigation, and Edith Brightman. being
deprived Of her income, was forced to
earn her own living.
On the evening Of his discharge he
stood on street corner waiting for
the clocks to strike 10. At the first
stroke a man crossed the street and
Joined him.
1.-THE shovels?" asked Tracy.
"On the place"
"All right. You go ahead, and III
follow"
Tracy followed the man out Of town
to deserted house standing beside
the road. and the two entered the
grounds. A pick and a shovel were
found under a porch. and Tracy. lead
Ing the way to large tree In a corner
OF the lot. began to dig. Coming to a
small sheet iron box, they removed It
and returned with 1t to the city.
Wen go to your room, Brown" said
Tracy. you've got the documents
there, believe
YES"
few minutes later Brown scratched
q match In his room, lit the gas, locked
the door, pulled down the shades, and
the two opened the iron box, taking
out bundle of papers. Brown mean
while unlocked desk and brought
forth an envelope containing docu-
ments Tracy seized them eagerly and
scanned them one after another till he
came to one at which he uttered a cry
Of joy.
This is the key to the situation!' he
exclaimed. Without this the others
are worthless. I'll take care OF this
myself. You look out for the Others"
1t was IL o'clock at night when
Tracy left the detective and walked
rapidly to house where there was but |
one light burning. He rang the bell
and when a servant came asked for
Miss Brightman.
Gone to bed"
Never mind that. I must SEQ her
"Who shall I tell her wishes to see |
ler?"
Never mind that either. She'll ap-
'rove Of your calling her up"
When Edith Brightman entered the
Dom and saw her guardian, the ex.
she caught at the doorlnob.
lis Imprisonment and the mystery at
ending 1t, together with the loss Of her
property, had not only been q puzzle
ut horror to her.
Edith" said Tracy, .your estate =
ayed to you"
She stared at him wonderlngly ~
e proceeded:
when your father asked me to be
Is executor he told me OF the woman
Tho claimed to be his wife and that
e also suspected BarnicouJt When
de- he said, 'therell be some ras-
aiity practiced on my little girl.
romise me you will see that she 10
OF robbed Ia
u promise on my honor and my I
fe. l replied.
when the blow Tell l knew the pa-
RS We're fraudulent. but could not
'ove 1t. The court was about to turn a
Ter the estate to this woman, who
ouid at once turn 1t intD cash and
ave the country. deliberately stole
cir papers and buried them in my
'rd. While serving my term en-
Dyed a detective, who has only re-
ntly unraveled the case. Here 10 4 u
ntract between Abel Barnicourt and :
ran Parton. wherein she agrees to I
vide the estate with him In case he !,
cures 1t for her, and below her con-
ssion that she was never married to
ur father and the documents are all
rged. the signatures being copied s.
pm letters of your father which had
lien into Der possession. This con.
ssion Bar nicourt was to hold over \,
IN case she refused to divide with :. :,
4 aitey the estate was acquired"
nle Tracy was giving his ward II
. nrief summary Of case which al
dio only be written in volumes her ~
e wore the expression not of one de-
hted at hearing how she had regain
ner property, but an engrossing pity VI
ngled with wonder. admiration, us
attitude. for one who had suffered
'grace and Imprisonment that IL
ght pass to Its legitimate owner.
ana you did this to fulfill prom ~
=