The Lamar register., 1916-11-08

| Huldah. 1T shall be the OBJECT OF our
lives to make you happy"
1t was with supreme felicity that
Huldah and Seth settled down to a
peaceful, happy married life. The sec
ond week after the wedding Mr. Bing-
ham started for town to draw the
$4,000 that was to pay on the mort
gage. He had enough saved up now
neignbor to whom he owed the
money to come for II the next day.
It was just at dusk that Huldah, in the
kitchen. caught the echo OF the
CHEEKY Get up therei" OF her father
in front of the house. She fastened
the preparations for the evening meal.
Then she failed to hear her father as
usual busting about the stable.
That is strange!" she murmured,
as she did not see any lantern light
at the rear of the house. Then she
went out to the front. The horse and
wagon were standing near the hitch
ing post. Just then Seth came in from
the fields.
Why. | wonder what can have be-
come of fatherl" spoke Huldah. oh,
Seth There he is lying in the road"
The old man had fallen. or had been
knocked from the wagon-the latter.
it seemed, for there was mark near
the temple suggesting a blow from
some blunt instrument His pockets
were turned inside out, his watch and
the old purse he always carried were
gone. They carried him into the
house.
1t became known all over the dis
trict the next day that two thieves
had followed Mr.. Bingham from town.
in some way aware that he carried a
large amount OF money around with
him, and had robbed him OF the mort
gage money-s2. 900.
Jared was dazed when he came back
to consciousness. He recalled being
assaulted by two men Just as he left
the wagon to secure the horse to the
hitching post.
Il had the money from the bank in
two one-thousand-dollar bills" he
said. I'D put them in an old snufr box
and kept that in my coat pocket,
where could constantly feel II. They
must have got 1t, yet-yet-" and he
tried to think hRrd-''it seems to me
that their coming at me warned me.
and clutched the box, and-and-no;
it's no use, / can't remember It's
four years more hard work to make 1t
up, but I'm thankful they spared my
life
They never discovered any trace
NJ he fhFawrAa ~. Ill
man considerably to realize the ire
mendous loss with which he had met.
Il hope his mind is going to be all
right spoke Huldah anIiously to her
husband one day.
Why should you think otherwise?"
asked Seth.
Why, every once in a while father
stops work and goes out to the spot
where he was knocked from the wag-
on by those men. He will stand star
ing there for a full quarter OF an hour
at the hitching post. as II 1t we're a
sort Of an oracle he was consulting"
Well, it was a great shock, the
robbery" said Seth. but It will wear
on with father after time"
Seth had bought a new horse.
great powerful animal. and he hitched
him :. one morning to go to town.
The TX was all ready in front OF the
house while the family were eating
breakfast. Suddenly. glancing out OF
the side window. old Jared sprang
quickly to his feet and ran out of the
house.
That road roller is coming" h
shouted. "and I'll bet 1t scared the new
horse. Too latel Too latei Slam
etty-bang! The animals gone. hitch
ing post and ALL"
The announcement was true. The
new horse had pulled the hollow post
up and was speeding down the turn
PIKE with II swinging behind him.
Seth started in pursuit Father and
daughter stood staring after. Sudden
ly Jared uttered a strange cry. He
stopped over and from the scattered
dirt where the post had been pulled
from place picked up-his old snufr
box.
Why. remember, clear as day,
now!" he shouted. "Huldah!" and
he opened the box and the two 81 900
bills were safe and sound
II was true, and Just then the con-
meeting link in the mystery flashed
into the old mans mind When the
robbers had attacked him he had