The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1912-09-06

IufelT necessary: hut | nave Just
heard that Mrs. Delaney is to leave
for New York tonight. and if ! don't
see her today there will be a pack Of
troublesome complications. Tell Mrs.
Graves she can count me in on the
box party tonight
"WeIl need you, Crosby. Don't miss
the train"
"f'll be At the station an hour before
the train leaves. Confound it, it's n
mean trip down there three hours
through the rankest kind of scenery
and three honrs back. She's visiting
in the country, too. but | can drive
out and back In an hour
ION your life. old man. don't fail me"
Don't worry. Graves. All Christen-
dom couldn't keep me in Dexter after
4 O'Clock this afternoon. Goodhy."
And Crosby climbed into the taSicah
and was driven away at hreakneck
speed toward the station.
Crosby was the junior member Of
the law firm Of Rolfe & Crosby. and
his trip to the country was on business
connected with the settlement Of a
Dlk CSldt c. MIS-. lytl5utl, Nl'l'N VI
q son Of the decedent, was one of the
legatees. and she was visiting her sis
terin-lsw. Mrs. Robert Austin, in cen
trail Illinois. Mr.. Austin owned ex
tensfve farming interests near Dexter,
and his handsome home was less than
two miles from the heart IF the town.
Crosby anticipated no trouble in driv-
t~~ - AL@ ave -nl h4.J, l.. 4.-,. h.
catch the afternoon train for Chicago.
It was necessary for Mrs. Delaney to
sign certain papers, and he was con
f1dent the transaction could not occupy
than half an hours time.
At 1870 Crosby stepped from the
coach to the station platform in nex-
ter. looked in%quiringlv about and Their
asked a perspiring man with a star on
his suspender strap where he could
hire a horse and buggy. The officer
directed him to n feed yard and sta
ble," but observed that there was a
funeral In town an he'd be lucky if
he got a rig, as all of Smiths horses
We're out" Application at the stable
brought the first frovn to Crosby's
~ L 'ohi II 'NIl Al lS hllll
after the funeral, and that would make
it 0 late for him to catch the 4
o'clock train for Chicago. To make the
story short. IL o'clock saw him trudg-
ing along the dusty road covering the
two miles between town and Austin's
place. and he was walking with the
rapidity of one who has no love for the
beautiful. The early spring air was
invigOrating, and it did not take him
long to reduce the distance. Austin's
house stood IN a hill far back from
the highway and overlooking the entire
countryside.
The big red barn stood In from the
road a hundred yards or more, and he
saw that the same driveway led to the
house on the hill. There was no time
Tor speculation, so he hastily made his
way up the lane. Crosby had never
seen his client, their business having
been conducted by mail or through
Mr.. Rolfe. There was not a person in
sight, and he slowed his progress con
siderably as he drew nearer the bic
house. At the barnyard gate he came
to a full stop and debated within him
self the wisdom Of inquiring at the
stables for Mr.. Austin.
He flung open the gate and strobe
quickly to the door. This he Onened
boldly and stepped inside, finding him.
self In a lofty carriage room. Several
handsome vehicles stood at the far end.
but the wide space near the door was
n1ao~ nh Aooo ~-o- H
pin," except along the west side. No
one was in sight, and the only sound
was that produced by the horses as
they munched their hay and stamped
their hoofs in impatient remonstrancc
with the flies.
where the deuce are the poopIeT''
he muttered as he crossed to the man
gers. 'Devilish queer @glancing about
in considerable doubt. The hands
must be at dinner or taking a nap
He passed by a row of hangers and
was calmly inspected 10y brown eyed
horses. At the end of the long row of
stalls he found Il little gate opening
into another section of the barn. He
was IN the point of opening this gate
to pass in among the horses when Z
low growl attracted his attention. II
some alarm he tool a precautionary
look ahead. On the opposite side of the
gate stood a hugo and vicious lookin-
bulldog, unclaimed and waiting for him
with an eager f%erOcity that could no
he mistaken. Mr.. Crosby did not Oper
the gate. Instead he inspected it to see
that it was securely fastened, and ther
drew his hand across his brow.
what an escape he gaSpcd. after :
lOnu hroath tInfEv for mo vol