Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1921-07-07
BARRIE'S GUEST
BY JACK LAYTON.
1921. Western Newspaper uniOn.)

as Barrie travelled his lonely paths, ne
wondered If the clue which led him
to this desolate spot might not be
false after all. In a spirit OF enthu-
siastic confidence he had offered his
service in seeking out the supposed
defaulter of the bank, In which MS
own father was president.
Detectives, it was proven, had been
at sea in their suspicious, and Barrie,
In a moment of inspiration, had put
his finger mentally upon the culprit,
and then had offered to take an adj
yenturous trip to the far mountains,
where Glen Gordon was supposed to
be hiding.
Glen Gordon had served faithfully
for many years in the bank where
Barrie, under his father, was EN-
ployed. And when Glen Gordon's
name was furnishing the sensation OF
city dailies, Gordon himself complete
ly disappeared.
AS Barrie's father-in a last hope
of proving his old employees honesty
had provided necessary bail, the
flight was more distressing. But now
Barrie feared that the clue, given by
an old servant of the Gordon's, had
been misleading, and his W offered
service useless.
Then, far above in a clearing, the
Young man beheld a small cabin;
smoke came from its chimney, and
Barrie eagerly pressed his horse for
ward. The sight Of human habitation
was at least comforting. And as he
approached, a young woman turned.
At sight of her. Barrie's eyes reflected
the establishment Of her own.
Barrie broke the silence. beg par
DON" he said. %" have travelled far,
without finding a resting place. May
1 rest here? And, perhaps, trespass
further upon your hospitality in ask
ing for food? A glass Of milk or a
piece of bread would be gratefully
received"
When she reappeared at the door
of the cabin bearing a light table, Bar
RE fastened to relieve her, carrying
it at the girls direction to the shelter
of a tree. Sharpness was still In the
air, and he would have preferred In
doors. But when his enforced hostess
came presently, she carried a basket
of cakes and cracker-sandwiches and
a pot of steaming tea. And as she
served him, Barrie noted the soft
whiteness of her hands.
''It is unusually good fortune to en-
joy the hospitality of m Of my own
country women In such a desolate
place." he said.
TheJgirl, with an enigmatical smile,
ignored the suggested question.
When you feel refreshed you will
kindly ride on your way" she re-
turned.
SIN afraid" Barrie said decidedly,
"that before I do so / must gain. that
information for which ! came. I am
trying to locate a Mr.. Glen Gordon,
being the bearer Of news to his adj
vantage"
Though the girls face paled, her
blue eyes regarded steadily the self
imposed detective.
"Mr. Gordon Is not here" she re-
piled. "You may search the cabin,
If you wish. I occupy it alone"
Barrie stared, then laughed incredu-
lousy.
"Alone in this wildernessf" he ex-
claimed. snow, why you do thatT'
The girl gathered up the tea cups.
II have answered you," she said.
"You are the first living person whom
I heard speak In two MONTHS"
Over her shoulder she nodded to
him. "Good night" she said mean
ingly.
Barrie did not search the cabin
but when he was again upon a lower
level he looked up at the house in the
clearing, and he saw the girl wave
white cloth, giving with 1t three dis
tinct signals. Then Barrie saw a
mans tall f1gure--so the girl had lied,
as he suspected.
He rode on to intercept the man
and as the man came Barrie recog.
nized the one for whom he sought
Glen Gordon, trapped and frightened
The older mans CHASTITY face turned
crimson as the young one, alighting
clasped his hands as the hands Of
friend.
"It's all right"-Gordon realized the
young mans words at last-"I came
to tell you that we are aware of your
innocence. | was lucky enough to hill
upon the guilty devil, and he con,
fessed-Bains, your assistant. But
look here, man; why did you rur
away? You must have known that II
would come out right7"
Inarticulate, tears rolling down bill
cheeks, Glen Gordon stood. Then ht
drew a paper from his pocket ant
wrote:
ut was nerve shock; lost my power
Of speech; wanted to run away from
the papersEthe susplcion-everything
And Julie came with m~e-Juliet, my
daughter. She was bound they
wouldn't find me to take me back
So I've camped on the ground, in tht
thick of the brush. But she said the
truth would come out, and 1t has