Willmar tribune., 1916-08-02

OlSCanC Clurcl was tOllluG, ana cross
ing the street Il couple Of squares be-
low he saw Il crude hearse followed by
few buggieS and carriages slowly
moving toward the cemetery on a red
.ntll to the west. 1t was the burial pro
icession Of the murdered man.
Just as he was about to ascend the
stairs Abner met a young man coming
down. 1t was William Barnett. a ris-
Ing young lawyer. whom Abner had
known from his bcyhood.
! "Hello. Billy" Abner greeted him
warmly. "Whar've you been? I hain't
Aed you fer a month"
Been away on business" the lawyer
answered. He was of medium height
rather slender in build and florid COM
plexion. He had a face that Indicated
the possession Of rare intelligence. a
clear blue eye and active body. I'm
about to induce some big cotton mills
to locate at Darley. Yore paper has
started Il boom. Uncle Ab.'
II hope so," Abner answered list
lessly. You've heard Of Howard's
trouble. l know"
Yes, hurried home on that account"
Barnett answered. his face falling into
gravity. I've just been up to see him.
He and l are very close friends.
ROOmed together at college and been
: chums ever since. We used to share
our pocket money between us. Uncle
Alb, this thing has hit me hard. You
see. l know from experience what a
sensitive fellow Howard is. He almost
cried up there just now. l tried to
cheer i'm up with my cotton mill news.
but he hardly heard what l was say
= ing. He blames himself for getting.you
and his family into such great trouble"
DO you think an arrest will be
made?" Abner faltered.
"Oh, yes: there is no getting around
that, and it will happen at any minute
now. The grand jury has found bill.
The sheriff is only delaying because he
= likes Howard and hates to take action.
les. it Is awful. Uncle Alb. for an inno-
rent young man to be accused
Then you think he is innocent?" Alb
ner exclaimed gratefully.
Il not only think it, but l know it,
Barnett returned. ANYBODY that looks
In Howard's face can see the truth
beaming out of it. Knowing him as
do, I'd take his word for any statement
that he would make I don't believe
he ever lied in his life. Hes true blue
and finer now under this cloud than he
ever was. God knows this is terribly
unfair, Uncle Ab. He has temper
that he came by honestly, and it was
= nothing bat natural for him to resent
Craigs insulting remarks. I'll lose
faitn in the universe if this goes
against him. There is something
wanted to say to him, but was afraid
It might hurt his feelings. Uncle Alb,
owe Howard for a thousand kind acts
In the past. l have saved up some
- money, got nobody to support, and II
you need any cash l want you to come
to me for it. Just let it be betwee1
you and me. Howard needn't know
about it. but want to help"
Abner's eyes grew moist. He caugh
I'VE won't need no money" he gulped
- "butj*e need lawyer that believes il
i'm! I've talked to one old hog tha
links the boys guilty. Billy, you ar
me only man in the state that I'd trus
the case to. Will you take it?''
''I'll do my BEST" Barnett said, take1
aback somewhat. IF giving my Who'll
soul to it will win, I'll succeed. How
- ard Is innocent, and somehow l fee
like I could make any twelve men i
the world believe it. l see now tha
bail won't be allowed, and our frien
will have to stay in Jail till Octobe
~ v7y71oca find tho rno1 0lsin0
nal. The officers are SO sure that the
have the right man that they will le
. the other slip through their finger:
We must do some detective work o
our own account. 1t is the only thin
that will do us bit Of good"
Entering the Office a few minute
later, Abner saw Howard still at hl
table, but glance sufticed to convinc
him that the young man was unable
. concentrate his mind upon his worl
Abner paused behind him and locke
Ovsr his shoulder. This Is what b
saw 4s the beginning Of an article:
OLD DARLEY ON A BOOM! BIG COZ
TON MILLS TO LOCATE HERE!
NEW RAILROAD TALKED OF!
Abner sighed. and, looking up, How
ard caught his eye.
"Ef I was you I'd not bother abou
that fer this weeks issue, anyway
the old man faltered. II hate to sa
1t, my boy, but I reckon we ort to la
sech things aside fer awhile, an"
you mean because-I see, because"
Howards voice trailed away in wave
of despair.
"We'd as we'll face the truth, bad {
1t is," Abner said, his tones full an
round.
"But l want to do my work." tt
"nG man declared. 1--WE underta
to help you run this paper, and
Lghtn't to let "a false charge of al
sort stop me. Your money is in
I'll keep on if work in jail-in ja
Do you understand? 1t won't be II
1 first time a fellow has written und
such conditions. The worst part Of
Is, however, that you deserve diffe
ent sort of reputation for the pap
THAN that it is edited by a man q
cused Of a terrible crime"
"D91't talk that way-don't"' Abn
cried. "Some'n' has got to be dor
ut what l don't know yet. Work
>efore us Of different sort than gat
.rin' and distributin' news"
Howard laid down his pencil al
'tood up. His face, in it's bloodle
- ast, was almost gray in color.