The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-03-18
THE FISHERMAN
BY DOROTHY A. BALDWIN.

"Eallo. young man SAID Mr. Went
worta heartily. You've come Just in
time. This : ripper of a thunder
shower isn't it: Here's your cousin
I.uiph. Marcia" be added. turning 10
his daughter DO GENE a,,ay from
that window. child D.ca viii come
just rs soon if you don't watch Tor
him"
Halph's face darlzened
oh Dick Winthrop here. is he?
Sill think he's worth marrying Mar
cia?~
Del, came two or three days ago"
said Marcia. ignoring RaphS thrust.
ne and. Uncle Joe went down 10
Stevens brook this afternoon. Uncle
Joe's delighted 10 have someone
"a share his enthusiasm over trout
fishing
l,alphS eyes narrowed.
Il 90 wish they'd come They should
have been here long ago" she added.
What terrible shower this isr'
There came binding flash of light
! ming. followed by IL terrific crash of
thunder Then the front door was
fang open and Marcia rushed into he
hail
Thank goodness. you've come.
Dick" she cried. But where's Uncle
Joe?>
"Heavensl Isn't he here? We got
separs ted at the brook Each playing
a trout, YOU know"
Dick looked up quickly at the sound of
the voice.
oh halo. Ralph Say its a
mighty good thing you're here. Get
into some togs quick and come back
with me 70 hunt"
lnvOluntarily 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. ii would mean that she and Dick
could be married without waiting the
/ few years Dick would need To earn
enough in his profession 10 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 10 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 hm?"
cried Marcia
I'VE 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.
I'VE found these lying together be-
low the bridge. That's Dicks knife"
Marcia uttered an involuntary ex-
clamation. Then her head went IN.
well. what of t." 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 n good chance to benefit by it,.
] that's what Well just turn 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. |
know it,
"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 find-his body" said Ralph Signifi-
cantly.
Dicks face famed. He bal,ed his
fists and made quick step toward
Ralph. when the door few open AMI in
walked Uncle Joe.
Don't stare at me as If | were n
ghost" he cried Did YOU think. was
lost for goOd?"
Uncle Joe! :" gaSped Marcia. Where
have you bCen:"
over ut Ezekiel Johnson'S. sound
asleep: Sorry to have worried YOU
So"
But how" began lex Its ten
miles ever there
why, YOU see, went farther than
thought after that trout. When the
shower struck. found myself near the
read. There wasn't 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.
Il should say you people had been
beating the brush all night, by the
looks. Hold on. Ralph! Don't run of
before I've had chance to thank
your
Il think Ralph would like to go i'm
mediately." said Marcia Jelly. The
strain must be wearing on him.
Uncle Joe stared at Marcia In aston
ishment as Ralph slammed the door
behind him. Sparing no details, Mar
Ella told him the whole story. Uncle
Joe chuckled
That's the trouble my cut finger