Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1921-04-22
THE FISHERMAN
BY DOROTHY A. BALDWIN.

worth heartily. you've come just In
time. This is a ripper of n thunder
shower, isn't it2 Here's your cousin
Ralph, Marcia" he added, turning to
his daughter. do come away from
that window, child. Dick will come
just as soon if you don't watch for
him."
Ralph's face darkened.
"Oh, Dick Winthrop here, is hef
Still think he's worth marrying Mar
cha 2"
"Dick came two or three days ago,
said Marcia, ignoring Ralph's thrust.
HE and Uncle Joe went down TO
Stevens brook this afternoon. Uncle
Joe's delighted to have someone
to share his enthusiasm over trout
fishing"
Ralph's eyes narrowed.
II do wish they'd come. They should
have been here long ago" she added.
"What a terrible shower this isl"
There came a binding flash of light
ming, followed by a terrific crash of
thunder. Then the front door was
flung open and Marcia rushed into the
hall.
THANK goodness, you've come,
Dick I" she cried. But where's Uncle
Joe?"
Heavens! Isn't he here? We got
separated at the brook Each playing
a trout, you know"
Dick looked up quickly at the sound of
the voice.
"Oh, halo, Ralph! Say. it's a
mighty good thing you're here. Get
into some togs quick and come back
with me to hunt"
I~nvoluntarily Marcia remembered
Uncle Joe's will, which was to leave
two-thirds of his property to her in
case of her marriage. If he should be
dead, 1t would mean that she and Dick
could be married without waiting the
few years Dick would need to earn
enough in his profession to support
them.
Marcia instantly dismissed the
thought as unworthy. She loved her
uncle, and she and Dick did not want
to profit by his untimely death.
Ten o'clock struck then eleven, then
twelve. 1t was of no use to think of
going to bed. Sleep would be impos-
sible. Dawn came. Then, just as the
clock struck five, the three men re-
turned alone.
Couldn't you find any trace of him?'
cried Marcia.
"We found a decided trace" said
Ralph, quickly, looking hard at Dick.
Look at these!" and he held out to
the startled girl her uncle's handker-
chief. covered with blood, and an open
jack-knife.
1--WE found these lying together be-
low the bridge. That's Dicks knife"
Marcia uttered an involuntary ex-
clamation. Then her head went up.
"Well what of it?" she said, defiant
ly. ''Dick loaned him the knife, and
he accidentally cut himself with it."
"Oh, very likely" said Ralph, with
biting sarcasm. Dick knew about your
uncle's will, and he just thought he
saw a good chance to benefit by it,
that's what! Well just turf this young
man over to the sheriff"
Marcia looked imploringly at her
father, who shook his head sadly and
looked away.
"Dick," she cried. ITS not true. 1
know til"
"Of course it isn't, Marcia. Things
will clear up before long. If we could
only find your uncle!"
you never will, unless you choose
to 1nd-his body" said Ralph signif-
cantly.
Dicks face famed. He balled his
fists and made a quick step toward
Ralph, when the door flew open and in
walked Uncle Joe!
Don't stare at me as if 1 were a
ghost" he cried. "Did you think 1 was
lost for good?"
"Uncle Joel" gasped Marcia. "Where
have you been"
"Over at Ezekiel Johnson's, sound
asleepl Sorry to have worried you
So"
"But how?" began Dick. Its ten
miles ever there
"Why, you see, l went farther than
l thought after that trout. When the
shower struck, I found myself near the
road. There wasn't a shelter in sight,
but Johnson happened along just then
and offered to take me to his house. |
tried to telephone you, but the wires
were out Of commission. When the
storm kept up, they offered me a
nights lodging and said they'd bring
me home bright and early this morn
ing.
81 should say you people had been
beating the brush all night, by the
looks. Hold on, Ralph Don't run off
before I've had a chance to thank
you'll"
81 think Ralph would like to go i'm
mediately," said Marcia Jelly. 1.-THE
strain must be wearing on him p