Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-02-24
Gran'pop nodded silently.

Gran'pOp nodded silently.
His denial did little good. His unsup-
ported word had been sworn away by the
two overdressed women. The money had
been found in his trunk. His long,
blameless life awaited little against the
suggestion that his aged mind was fail
ing. Several of the jurymen looked at
one another and shook their heads pity
ingly.
Abner drew q large red bandanna
and blew his nose. Then said casually
to the foreman, wonder eff I could ask
a few questions about some things?"
The foreman nodded assent.
You are certain the brooch was in
your room Jest before lunchP" Abr
asked Goldie.
Yes"
You've Jest sworn you didn't give it
to him?"
Yes"
thumbs INTO the belt which encircled his
vast middle, and sighed. This is a funny
case" he said slowly. George Mason
left all his money to his wife-but his
will stipulated that she had to keep a
good home here in Beaufort for his
grandfather. Now Gran'pop has got the
idea the two ladies want to sell the
house, take George Mason's money, an
go to the city"
Gran'pop swallowed. They do" he
said stoutly.
Goldie and her mother shook their
heads and smiled pityingly. The jury
men looked at Gran'pop with compass
sion. then at each other knowingly.
Apparently" Abner went on, the Ia
dies are mighty kind to Gran'pop. Yes
terday morning the leather came of the
bottom of his peg leg and the exposed
screw ruined their nice hardwood floors
when he came In to eat lunch"
Il didn't know It," Gran'pop quavered.
Soon as Silverstein told me about it In
the afternoon I got 1t fixed"
That's right" Abner said. ut was just
before lunch time that he marked the
floors. Later in the afternoon he marked
the floor in Silverstein's shop also. and
when Silverstein called his attention to
it he vent an had the peg fixed. But.
still, he had marked the good floors up
at home. And when the ladies saw the
marks they didn't say a word to him
about it. Amt that a fact. ma'amP"
Goldie, flushed with success, nodded.
Yes, we saw them when we came down
to eat lunch. But I told Ma not to say
anything to him about it. / would rath-
er have my floors ruined than hurt his
feelings"
Abner's voice grew soft.
Now, then, ladies'" he said. I'VE know
that yesterday, from before you left the
room where the brooch was till after 1t
had r ed into Mr.. Silverstein's hands.
Gran'p. 2s peg leg left a mark every time
he stepped on wood. A mark he didn't
know anything about.
Nov, then-can you tell me how he
went up the polished steps OF the stairs,
walked along the waxed upstairs hall to
your room, got the brooch. then came
back downstairs, without leaving a mark
on the stairs or the polish OF the upper
hall?"
Goldie n her mother stared at him.
vainly trying to grasp this new develop
ment. The Jurors stirred with increased
interest.
Can your" Abner asked gently.
II don't know anything about that"
Goldie answered s%ullenly. Ma and l told
all we know"
Abner faced the jury.
You can see where Gran'pop went an
where he didn't" he aid GO over an
look eff you want to. Remember that he
didn't now he was making marks. Now
does it look reasonable that he wen UP
them stairs like he is supposed to have
done?"
1T does look funny" the foreman adj
mitted.
"It looks to me" Abner suggested gent
ly, like some one was tryin' to get Gran
POP w NAS poyAAAby W N"~y
+. we'll fgger it out for yourselves
Goldie demanded hotly. Are you tryin
to make me an Ma out liars?"
I'm jest tryin' to find out who Is
lynn" Abner answered humbly. Nov
there's the matter O. the rest o. the
money. It's in new bills that can be
identified. They might be some'eres else
in your house, your room say. Or, come
to think Of it, one or two might have
| ctro vod IN un,rr honAhao .ackar {fsr
time ! started a search for EN-. Sup
pose / start IN the handbagp" He looked
at her steadily.
Goldie clutched her beaded handbag
tightly, said sullenly. Il won't be insult
ed any longer. I'll pay Silverstein the
rest of the money and let the matter
drop"
Mrs. Bird glanced at the handbag un-
easily.
Abner saw her. His eyes suddenly
glinted with triumph. He took q swift
step toward Goldie and snapped, "Give
me that handbag. young ladyl"
Startled, she let him take It. He
opened. thrust his large hand In. and
brought forth a small wad of crisp new
bills. After a look he tossed them or
the jury table.
Don't reckon theretl be much trouble
Identifying EN-" he said shortly
AlCy &c luS SAINT ISSUE Oh Oils hS LuObS
found in Gran'pop's trunk"
Mothers n daughters faces paled
until the rouge stood out on their cheeks
in glaring red patches. But when Goldis
caught Abner's eye, she said d~efiantly
Well-what are you going to do about
itP We didn't steal anything"
NO" Abner admitted coldly, but you
testified n oath that you didn't give
the o to Gran'pop or receive any
money from him. That's perjuryl There's
a penalty fer It,"
There U.s." the foreman agreed sternly
And this Jury doesn't mean to be triled
with"
Goldie swallowed. glanced ~nervously al
the 1urymen, and then looked down al