Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1915-05-27

Ka0@SS'Se
silver coin on the lad. About to
make on. the latter, with fresh stare
at the mystic inscription, suddenly ut
tered q whoop Of enlightment.
'"Oh, sayl" he shouted-"I sec
what II II. It's q name. look-read
Il right along. and It says Spider
Brown" and on bolted the urchin.
and rubbing his head thoughtfully the
brofeSsor saw his hope of . scientific
discovery 30 to pieces.
"Ah.u.um!" he cogitated. "Just
the vagrant mark OF some Idle lott
eier."?
And idle for the nonce. the professor
casually poked with his cane about
the side Of the imbedded rock. The
name "Spider Brown caused him to
grope In his memory
why" he broke out suddenly, Il
remember now!"
Yes, Spider Brown was suggestive.
40 the professor abruptly recalled.
Six months previously the village bank
had been broken into and some cash
and a box OF bonds secured. The po-
lice had traced down the burglar. His
name was Spider Brown, the crime
was proved against him and he was
sent to the penitentiary.
Later, the professor recollected, II
became. current news that while q
part Of the stolen money had been
recovered, the box Of bonds could
not be found Spider Brown had
chuckingly and shrewdly admitted
that the bonds In: question had been
q part Of his plumber. He had. how
ever, demanded pardon and enough
money to take him out OF the COM
munity and q few thousands besides.
as the price for turning up the miss
ing securities-
The bank people had offered q lib
eral reward for the recovery Of the
bonds, but they were not willing to
reward. crime. and thus. nc the pro-
fessor now remarked. the situation
stood.
All this ran through his mind as he
carelessly prodded at the soil about
the rock. Undoubtedly, while wait
ing to consummate the burglary or to
hide after its commission, Spider
Brown had scrawled his name on the
rock.
"Oh-dear mel" abruptly exclaimed
the professor. stepping back Q trifie
as the stone gave tilt. His prodding
had revealed the fact that there was
loose dirt underneath II. And then
he notad a glitter . CLEAN. He
pushed the stone aside
A tin box! The tin box! Its clasp
was wrenched OF. He lifted II from
its. hiding place. He timidly pushed
back the cover.
Bonds" ne uttered, big-eyed and
thoughtful. "Can II be possible that
I have been fortunate enough to dis
cover that missing property Of the
bank?"
The professor brushed the dirt
from the box. He placed II under his
arm. He proceeded back to the vii
lage ana reached the bank.
There was q great excitement a.
he told It's officers his. story. The
president of the institution eagerly
inspected the contents Of the box.
Then he shook the hand Of the pro-
lessor as II II was Q pump handle.
How can we thank you!" he cried
fervently.
II am glad to have been Of service
to you," said the professor modestly,
starting to-leave the room.
Hold on. you're forgetting some
thing" challenged the bank president.
"Ah, ihdeed-what, now; may I
ask" submitted the supplemented
professor. e.
"The reward-we offered one thou.
sand dollars. It 10 yours" and the re-
lieved and delighted onlcial ran to
the vault Of the institution and re-
turned with q handful Of new crisp
bills.
Yours" he announced, and thrust
the money into the hands Of the be-
wildered professor.
The latter stood staring at the. IN
expected wealth. Practical ideas
moved slowly through that profound
brain Of his. Finally, however, his
serious face expanded with smile.
I'm not to be trusted" he OBJ
served. Just keep the money IN
trust for me. will your. Why. de-
clareI It solves my life problem,
doesn't It? can get married nowl"
And. newly radiant. the grand
hearted fellow wendell his way to-
wards the home Of Natalie Bertram,
to tell her Of his great fortune-and
his great love.