Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-03-13

~ iVhH ~ POWtA III nv
Of the little community, had with such
suddenness dropped that prominence
and power for the mean and volceless
walls OF the grave.
Immediately on the death Of the old
banker, the preacher had, for the sake
age. He had returned from the fu-
neral and had been for some time
pacing back and forth, or hdgetlng
restlessly In his chair In the cool front
room upstairs--the former minister's
study--wben he was very much sur
prlsed to see Jack warhope ride up
on Grayiock. dIsmount, throw the
bride rein over the bitch-rack and
come striding up the yard.
He sprang from his chair. opened
one OF his satchels, snatched out the
holster with the ivory handled revolver
sticking In II; hurriedly buckled II on
under his vest, where II was concealed
by the somber frock coat. and tiptoed
back 20 his chair.
A knock disturbed the sanctimonl-
GUS quiet of the study door.
"Come in"
The knob turned, with a force and
decision that somehow suggested the
power Of the hand laid upon II, and
Jack warhope entered; carefully
closed the door; stood coolly looking
the other over.
The preacher slowly rose from his
chair; slipped his hand down along
the front OF his frock coat and loos-
ened II against his side.
The motion was not lost upon the
woodsman. His eyes had narrowed
TO Sits In his face; his lips were tight
ened to straight hard line. He
dropped quick look at the preachers
feet.
"Ther' amt another pair o. boot
heels In the Flatwoods like them, Mr.
Hopkins"
The brows OF the other lifted In po-
lite surprise.
Il found the print O. them heels on
the dusty floor boards there by Pap
Slmon's desk. where they couldn't "a
ben made till after the rug was drug
back"
The preacher peered at him through
his huge spectacles; u subtle premo.
milton Of what was coming reached
him.
Il may have stepped there when
came out of my room. That was a
most distressing scene. Mr.. Warhope."
But the board was scratched
where the heel had slipped and dug
into II under strain. How come y'u
slippedf"
The affable, benevolent smile weak.
ened; the premonltion OF what was
coming deepened.
Really, you must not expect me to
remember every small detail Of 80 dis.
tresslng moment, Mr.. Warhope."
"That trick Of removin' the brim.
stone from the caps on the shotgun
was what I Gull downright smart. II
took good head Z think o. that But
amt II queer that u master hand like
that would unlock the door after the
murder. instid OF b'fore. and leave
blood ON the keyr'
The studlous pucker around the
eyes was fast smoothing out. and the
man was breathing fast. His hand
was fumbiing the lapel Of the frock
coat and slowly stealing down the side
what do you meant You surely
are not accusing me Ut the murder
Of my old frlendf"
Il mean" rasped the woodsman. his
Sits OF eyes on the hand stealing
down the edge ~ the frock coat. "thut
night bfore last I laid In the little
park and heard what was said
b'tween you nnd Black Bogus"
Like lightning the creeping hand
darted under the frock coat. hut
quick as he was. the ivory.handled
revolver was not quite out OF the
holster when the heavy six-gun OF the
woodsman leaped up and covered him
Butt nrst. Parson." came the cold,
decisive command over the steady
barrel
Hopkins stood just as the gun had