The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-12-07
eo,cnel Hamilton was a. good q

cTedlbly short space OF time he zane
out sufficiently clad for decencS. and
grabbing the young man by the arm
he. fairly ran down the corridor to-
ward the elevator. The late diners
were astonished as Colonel Bill and
the young cub forced their way
through the crowded hall to the auec-
mobile outside. The colonel had not
forgotten the munitions of war, and
he carried a tin box In his hand which
he had snatche6 from his table az he
left his bed room.
Get us down to the Office in double
quick tine" said the cub reporter to
the chauffeur. Never mind about
fines. Bust up the machine, if neces-
sary; but get US there! That's the
old mans orders. We haven't got any
time to spare" he yelled, as the big
car started.
This way, sir" said the cub re.
porter, piloting him into the eleyatvr
at once. Here you are!" he ex.
claimed after a wild sweep upward.
He led him through a couple Of
doors and ushered him into a big
brightly lighted room where two men
sat.
Col. Bill Hamilton, sir" said Alb.
bolt breathlessly. He almost felt like
saluting and saying, Come aboard,
sir"
"~Thirty-two minutes" said the night
editor, looking at his watch. Very
well done"
Mr.. Abbott, You may remain here.
if you wish" said the editor to the
cub. 1T will be interesting for you
to hear"
Thank you, sir" said the delighted
young reporter, making himself small
and inConsiderable in = corner whence
he could hear and see everything.
You must excuse me-" said the ed
itor, for having brought you down
here so summarily at this hour of the
night, but affairs of great moment"
You want to know about GormlyT"
1--WE do"
We'll, what is it,"
Read this" said the editor.
Colonel Bill fshed a pair of spec
taCles out of his side pocket and de-
liberately perChed them astrtde OF his
nose. He read the letter through very
slowly. The night editor was in a
fever Of impatience. Even the imper-
turbable editor-in-chief was consider.
ably more agitated han usual.
The night editor groaned over the
long w~indedness Of the frontiersmNn.
What's the matter, sonny" asked
Colonel Bill solicitously. Amt sick,
are you?"
"No, no." was the answer.
But go on, please, Colonel Hamll.
ton" said the editor; and will you be
as explicit as possible. We are hold.
ing up the paper in the hope hat you
may be able to throw some light on
this matter, and time is OF the great.
est Importance"
81 see," was the reply. We'll, then,
all that's written in that papers true
enough; but he amt told all the
truth"
Would you mind telling us what
has been suppressed or left out?"
1.-The mans wife was run away with
as Gormly, or Fordyce as l knowed
him, says on that night he indicates,
that the woman's husband was left
dyin' on the cabin floor"
Yes"
Mex mornin', some OF US, suspi-
cionin' that there might've been somo
trouble, after the storm died out, got
up a crowd and went over to the
mans shack. We found him there"
"Dead?" asked the editor.
mot yet, but mighty nigh gone"
Colonel Bill drew from his pocket a
key and unlocked the tin box. From
a worn envelope he drew forth a worn
piece of paper, on which was written
in pencil that was very much faded
but still sufficiently legible, a briei
message. Colonel Bill unfolded the
paper, yellow with age, and handed II
to the editor, who seized it, turned to
the light, and read:
Il killed him. but it was in self de-
| fense.-Fordyce."
That's the first bit Of evidence"
he said.
The editor nodded. THAT settles
it,"
mo, it don't" vas the reply. For
! when we got there. as l said, he warn't
| dead, and we managed to revive him
with a good drink OF liquor, which
Pete Breeden-that was his mt
always would respond to-" he inter.
! polated. And he managed to say a
few words"
+ What were they?"
HE said that his wife shot him and
run off with Fordyce."
Anything more?"
Then he died"
81 see," said the editor. "Gormly
took the blame upon himself to shield
the woman"
1T will be Colonel Hamilton's un.
supported statement against this writ
ten confession. though" i~nterposed the
night editor.
We'll, as 1t happens" vas the re-
Ply, the statement amt unsurport
ed"
What morey" asked the editor.
This"
Colonel Bill from the same tin box
a.Lol o,t o.othar phianr mronpaN is