The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-07-28

for the first time what had happened.
Their story staggered Wilton. On
the face Of 1t, 1T seemed an impossi-
bility, for no one else could have fired
the shot. Yet, had either Of the men
done so, II was the least likely thing
that he would have returned to brazen
out a concocted tale.
Wilton was too weak TO cross-ques-
ton them; he resolved, however, that
the matter should be probed to the
bottom, and meanwhile decided to alb
stain from arousing their suspicious Of
his doubts.
Il was on the Sunday afternoon
that, lying on his bed, on which Molly
had insisted, he saw through the win.
dow a sleigh approaching the store.
He recognized the two men who
walked with the driver as Tom Bow
yer and Lee Chambers, the latter a
CONSTITUTIONAL engineer who had once
been employed by Joe Bostock, but
had left him for the New Northern.
He wondered what Tom Bowyer's err
rand was. He suspected that, learn
ing of their journey, Bowyer had come
70 spy out the progress Of the Mis-
satibi.
He was in no mood TO welcome
either him or Chambers, Chambers
was suspected Of having betrayed a
good many Of the Missatibi secrets to
the New Northern.
lie decided to stay where he was,
unless Bowyer showed signs of re-
naming. But suddenly an eXclama-
ton of anger from Molly brought him
sharply to his feet and into the store.
BOwyer had his arm round her and
was trying to draw her toward him.
Chambers, at his side, a small man
with a sharp, mink-like face, was
staggering at the scene. Wilton's ad-
vent was like a thunderclap to the
pair.
In his flannel shirt and trousers, with
his left arm slung to his neck, Wilton
yet looked so menacing that BOwyer
released Molly at nee and put him
self into an instructive attitude Of self
deefnSe.
He was q man of about five and
forty, -red-faced, with red, thinning
hair, gray over the temples, and the
bold, staring gaze that falsely passes
for candor, which some rogues acquire
In place of the f%urtiveness of weaker
souls-such as Lee Chambers.
Bowyer stared, and suddenly he rec
ognized his man.
"Why, it's Will Carruthers he ex-
claimed with an affectation Of jOvial-
ty. How'd you hurt your arm, WHIP
Molly came quickly between the
two men.
"You'll-you'll perhaps realize that
this isn't Winnipeg! !" suffered Wilton
inaptly enough. He was quicker with
his fists than with his tongue.
"By George, it isn't!" cried Bowyer
in cordial agreement. IL seem to have
put my foot In it as usual. Your par
don, Miss Molly. That'n meet the bill,
WILL" he continued, keeping up his
p~retense Of holiness.
Wilton gulped. Toms eyes moved
swiftly from his face to the girls.
"We're just in 20 have q look
around" continued Bowyer. "Not
much construction being done this
weather. l suppose you might think
I've come to spy out the Missatibi
land. Well, you'd be right If you did,
Will. What's this story about coal de-
posits on your property? But perhaps
that's what the lawyers call a leading
question, eh?"
All the while that he joked he fixed
Wilton with his staring gaze. And
Wilton found himself wondering how
much Tom Bowyer knew.
The man was as sly as a fox, for all
his ~effrontery, and that was his
strength. He gave the impression Of
being n kind Of rogue, whereas he
was quite another, as many had dis
covered to their cost. There were few
more resourceful and cold-hooded
men, even in the Prairie city.
II heard you and Joe had come up
continued Bowyer. $50 I dropped in
to have a chat with him, though it's |
taken me fifteen miles off my road. |
Planned to ask him to sell out his
valuable holdings, maybe"
Molly, who was standing behind
Bowyer, looked earnestly at Wilbn.
He dared not signal to her, but he
caught the answering message In her
eyes, as If GEOGRAPHICALLY conveyed.
81 won't tell him." she meant to say.
Wilton's heart went out In intense
gratitude. 1t would have been I'm.
bearable to have had to tell Bowyer
that Joe was lying behind that thin
partition Of pine. 1t would have been
blasphemy 20 have let BOwyer's gloat-
Ing eyes fix themselves upon poor
Joe's body.
you've had a long drive for moth
Ing, then," said Wilton CURLY. "Mr.
Bostock Isn't here"
"rll say good-morning to the fac
tor, anyway"
mo, you WON'T" answered Wilton.
"aIr. XcDonai., y 100 III to be seer." !