Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-09-22
BARRIE'S GUEST
by JACK LAYTON.
20. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)


llterate 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
10 this dcsOlate spot might not be
false after all. In n spirit OF enthu-
sastic 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 culprlt
and then had offered 10 take an add
venturous trip to 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 GordonS
name was furnishing the sensation OF
city dailies, Gordon himself complete
ly disappeared.
AS Barrie's father-in n 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 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 ut least comforting. And as he
approached. n 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. 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 a light table, Bar
RE fastened TO relieve her, carrying
II at the girls direction to the shelter
of 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 Understandable and
a pot of steaming tea. And as she
served him. Barrie noted the soft
Wilderness OF her hands
at is unusually good fortune TO en-
Joy the hospitality of one Of my own
country women IN such a desolate
place" be said.
The girl, with ar enlgmatical 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 I do so l must gain that
information for which l came am
trying to locate Mr. Glen Gordon,
being the bearer of news to his al.
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. l occupy 1t alone"
Barrie stared, then laughed incredu-
lousy.
"Alone in this wllderness?" 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
! heard speak in two MONTHS
Over her shoulder she nodded 70
him. "Good night" she said mean
ingly.
Barrie did not search the cabin;
hut when he was again upon a lower
level he looked up at tine house In the
clearing and he saw the girl wave
white cloth, giving with ii three dis.
tinct signals. Then Barrie saw
mans tall flgure-so the girl had lied
Us he suspected
He rode on 10 intercept the man,
and as the man came Barrie recog.
nized the one for whom ne sought
Glen Gordon. trapped and frightened.
The older mans CHASTITY face turned
crimson as the young one. allghting.
clasped his hands as the hands Of
friend.
"Its all right"-Gordon realized the
young mans words at last-T 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
away7 You must have known that Il
would come out right?"
Inarticulate, tears rolling down his
cheeks. Glen Gordon stood. Then he
drew a paper from his pocket and
wrote:
at was nerve shock; lost my power
Of speech; wanted to run away from
the papers-the uspiclon-everything
And Julie came with me-Jullet, my
daughter She was bound they
wouldn't find me 10 take me back.
So I've camped on the ground. in the
thick Of the brush. Put she said the
truth would come out, and It has.