Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-05
GARDEN
A NOVEL
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM

turbation, wondered il Brock had
some, pressing peed of money. which
thwart. He decided that a few discreet
questions would be in order. ,
What conclusions have the papers
now reached about my demise 2" he
inquired. !
Merely that you have probably
been done away with, though no trace
has been found" said Breck pleasant
~. "A body which might have been
you foated down the river; but identi-
fcation was Incomplete
Hunt" said Adam. Rather a
good thing for me. And have my dear
friends and relations made no inquiry
concerning their missing boy?"
Allen grinned.
of course they have" he said re-
a%ssuringly. "a thorough investigation
has been ordered"
Indeed, and may Task how and by
1t is being done?"
you may" said Allen. Such a
serious and important task could
scarcely be intrusted to utter strang-
ers. So I. as your nearest of kin, have
not u%nnaturally been appointed to
conduct the Investigations. And be-
sAOAN' / nave AOuuu you.
The little mustache twitched again,
and again Adam wanted to strike him.
After strenuous effort!" said Adam
dryly. II see."
Brock shrugged his shoulders.
These things can be done in a
day." said he.
Especially as every lost day brings
one nearer to the first of October"
commented Adam. COR makes hope Of
TQSr1linV mo eYraCy Gu voYIch laos
The implication seemed merely to
Breck.
"As though you could be saved!"
said he. And as for being dead-why
you are as good as dead now. Worse,
I should say" he added, looking from
Adams earth stained garments to the
shack.
is no more your concern now. than be-
said Adam sharply. my only
with you is that in about
five months YOU are going to get a lot
of money which you. deserve even less
I. Beyond that. we have moth
ing in common. However, I wish to
point gu that 1 am not dead yet, MOI
the time-limit on my inheritance
expired. OF course I won't get it.
But I see no reason why this bond
bring US together again. We both
how the situation stands"
Then why come to life ?" suggest
ed Allen. only his eyes betraying the
eagerness with which he put forward
the idea. why come to life?"
II don't intend to- replied Adam.
adam Van Week died-died the
night he came to this place.
"He did WE'LL" said Breck.
But Adam was noting the yelled
in the others manner. There
was surely some strong pressure bear
upon Breck. What it's nature was
mattered little.
But I am not yet sure that I shall
stay dead forever" Adam continued.
There was a note in his voice as of
Il might come to life at
any time. Particularly if anyone were
for instance. trying to get hold
of my inheritance prematurely. Do you
understands"
Damn you!" said Breck. what
makes you say that? How the hell will
it do you any good? You say< YOU
aren't coming back, and you know
III get 1t in a little while 49,"
He was evidently almost out Of con-
,rol again.
II have said so," replied Adam
smoothly. And 1 mean what I say. At
present, for reasons of my own, 1 pre-
Ter to remain dead. It is most con-
'enient. If eve leone to life I shall
a different person-though not in
he way vol mean. For the present.
neither confirm nor deny anything
ebout me. And not a word to anyone
IT my whereabouts
y scarcely see why I should take
orders from you!" sneered Allen.
Don't your" returned Adam po-
!tely. Then allow me to enlighten
If you bestfay me. I'll inform>Mr
Monroe of a few things he has over
ooked in you. Law tricks he may I'M
1erstand. But loose women are not to
his liking"
That's blackmail!''> Allen cried
And a very s~erviceable method
With YOU. my dear fellow" replied
Adam ch~eerfully. 1T is merely a pre-
on my part. You will keep
Iulet about me, and leave my money
for it is still my money-alone. And
l think o will agree that there
s no reason for prolonging this
charming visit. Inasmuch as I am
over-crowded with dogs at this time.
must respectfully refuse the care Of
1t was plain that Equality felt the
anne way about it, for he came around
he corner of the hut with a rush
which brought up short half a dozen ,
'eet away from the ~bull-terrier. There
vas a bristling and, a snarling, and
8reck hooked his cane through the
lnimal's collar, and made toward the
1alf-open gate. Adam following. At
he threshold he stopped for a final
word. and Adam, while he listened,
>ould not but watch a figure which
re had noticed approaching the, gate
Is he and Allen quarrelled in the gar
Brock now stood with his back
.oward her and had apparently NOT
cen her. but Adam could not keep
lis eyes away, for pity and interest.
She was a young woman, he judg-
ID, arrayed in pitiful soiled hnery,
hat and shoes which had once
'een white, and a cheap suit that fell
bout her emacipated figure liz: ". !
All the colour had gone out Of .ler
when Joy had gone from
She had crept up slowly. with
iragging step and bent head, as il she
cared yet longed to approach. He
wondered who she was and what her
GRAND. and his interest was further
when she paused by the gate
a herself down upon an over
II rubbish which Woolcraft had set
tut for the city collector. She crouch
ID there miserably, looking downward
It her clenched hands, and, as the
wo men came>toward the gate, Adam
gas startled to see how pretty she
Vas or must have been. poor waif.
before the iron hand Of the city night
laid its heavy tax upon her. Like
! soiled and tattered ribbon blown
his richer neigh fall whose first tn,
a~vl-- " IA--.- 80 - -