Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-19

He did not OBSERVE us Tor mo-
meut or 50, his eyes intent on the
story he was reading. Then. as II
feeling our presence. he slowly rails
cd his eyes. AS his gaZe fell upon
Us, a startled expression swept over
his face 1t hlushed red. then paled,
In Il second. he jumped to his feet
and in a rather frightened Voice
asked;
What do YOU WANT"
He was decidedly nervous look
ing youth. his hands twitcbing as he
looked at US. His complexion vas
salow and his face did not have the
most pleasant expression that l
have seen.
In fact. there was about him n
rather shifiy look as II one could
not trust him or even believe his
word. He seemed one Of those
people YOU often meet that think
the entire world is trying 10 inture
them.
BARLEY did not respond TO his
question for Il moment, looking him
in the eyes till the NounG man
dropped his gaze and glanced away.
Then In rather dry voice he an
SwCred
What do We want: Why. moth
ing except Yourself
The respond seemed not to puzzle
the Young man. but il did have the
effect OF confusing him. In fact. he
acted a bit friEhtened. For mo-
mcnt he said nothing, then sudden
lN With n leap jumped for his coat
that hung on the tent pole. hartley
Jumped for him at the same time
hut the Young man got his hand on
his coat pocket and came forth with
n revolver before BARLEY reached
him. What ne intended to do with
It. could not tell. Before he could
raise his hand hartley had him by
the wrist and with quick twist
sent the revolver flying to the
ground Then taking his hand of
the boy. he stood in front ot him
laughing.
You poor foot" he said. what
did You expect TO do with that CUR:
The answer surprised me. His
face. white and his voice filled with
raGc. the young man snapped back
at him:
You leave me alone Get out
You have nothing on me-"
The chief nudGed me with his
arm. The reply was startling in one
sense. why he should say Just what
he did If he knew nothing about
tile murder was rather queer. In
fact. his whole attitude, his attempt
To get his gun, made mo think that
he must know something and per-
haps why we were here. The chief,
| knew. was sure OF It. And the
Young man was rather frightened To
say the least
Whatever Bartlcv might have
thought Of his answer he did not
say instead he simply said TO tho
young man.
"Maxson, l was your uncle's
friend. John BARLEY. You know I
have visited him several times"
II he expected the answer would
cause any difference in the young
mans manner he was greatly mis-
taken, for he snarlcd back:
"What in the devil has that to do
with me-"
The answer came short and cold :
Nothing maybe. except your uncle
WAS found murdered yesterday
morning"
For a moment the Young man
looked at him az II he did not
understand. Then seeing the grave
look on Bartlcy's face, he turned
and looked at the faces OF tho
chief and me. Seeing the same an
swcr in each Of them. it suddenly
dawncd upon him that hartley was
in earnest.
The red flushed face that had
been filled with anger turned sud
den white. and he eripped the pole
of the tent for support. lie Gnspcd
but one word:
"Murdcrcd,"
Yes stated tho chief. and I
- But the sentence was not
finished for. with quick glance.
which the boy ala not see. hartley
prevented him from finishing. In
stead he tuned to the Young man.
who had raised his eyes and with a
frightened mir was Watching him.
Yes, lie was murdered We
came over here to get YOU ana TO
ma out why YOU were not home"
lie seemed unable 10 speak. I
could not tell If his fear was be
cause Of Bartley's presence or II Il
had been caused by the nows OF
ms uncle's death. But he was
AFRAID of something. His hands
tfemhlcd and he licked his IIps with
tiS tongue. II was not until Bart
ley repeated the question that he
answered. and it was In a low. nm
even voice:
why, camc--camc over hero 70
camp for a few days" Then sud =
denly raising his voice he halr
yelled, = had a right to"
BARLEY looked at him crayclv
speaking slowly: YES. you hnd n
right to- But why did YOU try to
make us think You had been drown
ca Why did you try to spoil your
cousins wedding day.
silence again-a silence that none
OF us wished to break The Young
man, MS head bent and eyes on the
ground. would not answer and wo
hin not care to speak. 1t was tho
chlef that broke the silence. His
voice was rough as he said:
You better answer. As II "a va,
are apt to be locked M III Won tcii
us what you know of your uncle q
In Sudden rage tho Young ,,r
nan stepped forward. his face rod
"lth anger. What in hell do Won,
mean Z" he roared. What do +
know or his DEATH"
That's what | want to find mn, "
came the short answer from tho
chief. l"e
CONTINUED Monday