The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-06-03
BARRlE'S GUEST
BY JACK LAYTON.

For days Barrie had ridden the
lovely trail obsessed by hunger for
companionship which he had never
heretofore known. Even the gru1, IL
literate guide. whom he had left far
below. would now be welcome. And
as Barrie travelled his lonely paths. he
wondered If the clue which led him
TO this desolate spot might DOT De
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 his
own father was president.
Detectives, IL was proven. had been
AT sea in their suspicious. and Barrie,
in moment of inspiration. had put
his finger mentally upon the culprit.
and then had offered 10 take an ad-
venturOus trip 10 the far mountains,
where Glen Gordon was supposed 10
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 last hope
of proving his old employees honesty
had provided necessary bail, the
flight was more distressing. But now
II ~. =, Il civ hx
an old servant OF the Gordon's, had
been misleading, and his own 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. young woman turned.
At sight of her, Barrie's eyes reflected
the establishment Of her own.
Barrie broke the silence. PEG par
don," he said. 81 have travelled far,
without finding a resting place. May
rest here? And, perhaps, trespass
further upon your hospitality In ask
ing for food? A glass of milk or
piece of bread would be gratefully
received"
When she reappeared at the door
OF the cabin bearing light table. Bar
RE FASTENED 10 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
pot Of steaming tea. And as she
served him, Barrie noted the soft
Wilderness of her hands.
1T is unusually good fortune to en-
joy the hospitality of one of my own
country women I'm such a desolate
place" he said.
The girl, with an enigmatical smile,
ignored the suggested question.
when you feel refreshed you will
kindly ride on your way" she re-
turned
I'm afraid" Barrie said decidedly,
that before l do so | must gain that
information for which l came. am
trying TO locate q Mr.. Glen Gordon,
being the bearer of news to his ad-
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,
II you wish. occupy it alone"
Barrie stared, then laughed incredu-
lousy.
"Alone in this wilderness?" he ex-
claimed NOW, why you do that?''
The girl gathered up the tea cups.
II have answered you," she said.
you are the first living person whom
l heard speak in two months"
Over her shoulder she nodded 10
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 it three dis
tinct signals. Then Barrie saw a
mans tall figure-so the girl had lied,
as he suspected.
He rode on 10 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 10 hit
upon the guilty devil. and he con-
fesSed-Bains, your assistant. But
look here. man; why did you run
away? You must have known that it
would come out right?"
Inarticulate. tears rolling down his
cheeks, Glen Gordon stood. Then he
drew a paper from his pocket and
wrote:
ut was nerve shock; lost my power
of speech; wanted TO run away from
the papers-the suspicion-everythin
And Tulfa caraa with rna-TuTEo-