The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-15

j tfly and turned away as if anxious to
avoid him. At the table, as he sat
waiting for his brea kfast to be brought.
he noticed that the three walters. with
their heads together on one side of the
room, seemed to be celebrating as to
which should take his order, and when
finally one of them came he seemed to
act more stffay and awkwardly than
was a walters habit And when the
food was being brought i'll Howard no
iced that the cook and a couple of dish
washers We're peering in at him curl
iously, but on catching his eyes they at
once disappeared.
Further perplexities were before him,
for when he had eaten his brea kfast
and was going out he saw Abner Dan
lei talking to Sugart in the Office.
There was no mistaking the fact that
Abner was disturbed. Howard had
never seen such a woebegone expires
sion on the cheerful old codntenance
as his friend turned upon him.
II heard you'd come back, an
thought I'd stop by to see you" Alb
ner's voice shook of course, at a
time like this
AT a time like what?' Howard ask
ed, fixing Abner with an impatient
stare.
Why, why, you see Abner began,
but he went no further, for several
drummers, leaving the dining room,
had gathered around and were gazing
boldly and cuxiously at Howard. Lets
go down to the Office Abner suggest
ed, laying his hand on his friends arm.
sOur talk must be more private. i
don't know how much time we've got
either, and the sooner we understand
what is best to do the better it Will be.
Time is valuable"
you seem to be crazy like all the
rest Howard said impatiently as they
went out into the street and started
down to the office. Just then they saw
Pole Baker on horseback, and he rein
ed in at the sidewalk.
II had started down to see you, I'm
Gle Abb he said grimly. II didn't
know Howard was here. So many
false reports are in the wind-hun-
dreds of lies mixed up with. 1t. I'll
put up my boss an come down You
kin both count on me, What's done is.
done, and thar amt no use cryin' over
split milk. We got to git to work an
face the thing
Another foolyv Howard said an
grily- "For Gods sake, what is the
matter with you all ~ =
Abner was in such deep thought that
he failed to hear what Howard had
said. However, when, they had reach
ed the office and found themselves
alone Howard demanded, iercely:
ssTell me what is the matter? Why
are you all acting this way?"
Abner bent a startled gaze on him.
Without a word he stared steadily for
a moment. then he faItered: I'VE must
understand each other, Howard. Do
you intend toto deny all knowledge
of it p Have you reflected and decided
toto take that course ?''
"Good God, what is the matter with
your Howard repeated. Come to
the point. I'm tired Of all this blasted
tomfoolery. You all act as If 1 were
a wild beast escaped from a cage"
For another moment Abner continued
to stare, then he suddenly took a deep
breath. and his eyes lighted up from
faint hope.
Howard, my boy, didn't you know
that Fred Craig was shot and killed
on his boss at his own gate last
night ~
KILLED shot p Howard gasped,
I Daniel laid his hand on Howard's
shoulder. He bore down on it affec-
tionately and hopefully. "Look me in
the eyes, my boy he said, with emo
ton, his lips quivering. 81 know you
won't keep back anything from me,
and the truth is important. Did you
do it? Forgive me, but SO many things
point that way"