The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1922-02-17
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THE FISHERMAN
BY DOROTHY A. BALDWIN.


a
time. THIS is ripper of a thunder
shower. isn't itf Here's your cousin
Ralph. Marcia" he added, turning 10
his daughter. '"Do come away from
that window, child. Dick will come
just as soon IL you don't watch for
I him."
Ralph's face darkened
''Oh. Dick Winthrop here, IL her
! Still think he's worth marrying Mar
| cia?'
DICK came two or three days ago"
said Marcia. ignoring Ralph's thrust.
He and Uncle Joe went down 70
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 terrible shower this Isl"
There came binding fash 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 :" she cried "But where's Uncle
Joe?"
Heavens! Isn't he herel We got
separated mt the brook Each playing
trout, you know"
Dick looked up quickly at the sound Of
the voice.
"Oh. halo. Ralph! Say. it's q
mighty good thing you're here. Get
into some toys quick and come back
with me 10 hunt"
InvOluntarily Marcia remembered
Uncle Joe's will. which was to leave
twO-thrds Of his property To her In
case Of her marriage. If he should be
dead. IL would mean that she and Dick
could be married without waiting the
few years Dick would need to earn
enough In his profession Ia 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. II was Of no use to think OF
going to bed. Sleep would be impOs-
sible. Dawn came. Then. just as the
clock struck Ave, the three men re-
turned alone.
Couldn't you fnd any trace OF him?"
cried Marcia.
I'VE found a decided trace" said
Ralph. quickly, looking hard at Dick.
Look at theser 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 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 good chance 10 benefit by IL,
that's what! Wen 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 II isn't, Marcia. Things
will clear up before long. II we could
only find your uncle"
"You never will. unless you choose
to find-his body" said Ralph signifi-
cantiy.
Dicks face famed. He balled his
fists and made quick step toward
Ralph, when the door flew open and in
walked Uncle Joe.
Don't stare AZ me as II were a
ghost" he cried. Did you think | was
lost for gOOd:"
Uncle joe" gasped Marcia. Where
have YOU BEEN"
over ar Ezekiel Johnson's. sound
asleep. Sorry 10 have worried yon
so"
Put how?' began Dick. ITS ten
miles everywhere. ~
why, you see, / went farther than
| thought after that trout. When The
shower struck. | found myself near tle
road. There wasn't shelter in sight,
but Johnson happened along Just then
and offered 10 take me 10 his house. |
tried to telephone you. but the wires
were out OF commission. When the
storm kept up. they offered me n
nights lodging and said they'd bring
me home bright and early this morn
ing.
II 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 q chance to thank
you!"
Il think Ralph would like to go i'm
mediately." said Marcia icily. 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
cia told him the whole story. Uncle
Joe chuckled.
That's the trouble my cut finger
caused, Thought Dick WAS after nv