Geyser Judith Basin Times (Geyser, Mont.) 1911-1920, November 14, 1912, Image 3

1 PROLOGUE OF THE STORY. David Jenison, a young Virginian, hunted as a fugitive, seeks refuge un- der a eircus tent. He is found asleep by GrinaId!, the clown, otherwise Joey Noakes. In the dressing tent GrineIdi recognizes him as the \boy murderer,\ for whose capture WO reward is of- fered. Braddock's circus is in money diflicultiem, and Braddock, in spite of the protests of his wife and daughter, who are impressed by David's declara- tion of innocence, roughly demands that the boy be surrendered to the au- thorities. Braddock changes his mind when David produces $3,000, an inheri. lance from his father, of which he of. • fers Braddock the amount of the re- ward if permitted to remain. He be - 'mines a clown to evade his pursuers and later is stuffed Into n circus wagon. .kt the next stop Braddock offers him a steady position and warns him to de- posit the rest of the Inheritance with hint. But Mrs. Braddock, distrusting her husband, already ban taken the• money for safe keeping. Colonel Beds Grand. a race track gambler. who has Braddock in his grasp financially, ap- sears at the circus and, as usual, is ettentive to Mrs. Brriddock, much to her disgust. GrineIdi recites to his daughter. Ruby, MA David the story of Braddoek's changed character since tinder the influence of Bob Grand, also telling of how Mrs. Braddoek fell in love with and married her present hnsband, being disinherited v her fa- tter. Braddock orders David not to talk with his wife and daughter, but through the compassion of some of the circus troupe be is led into a meeting with Christine. to whom he relates his story. Ile mentions how his disgraced uncle returned after the war and of- fered proofs of his innocence to Da- vid's grandfather and how this uncle's business dealings with a negro lawyer aroused David's suspicions. David's Story of the Shooting. HEN I went back to Jenison hall I tried to te s ti grand - Dither about an this. but I didn't do It. I couldn't hear the thought of carrying tales. I went back to school, but I couldn't get the thing out of my head.\ Christine interrupted him. intense almost to breathlessness. \They -Btu were fixing up a new will:\ she whispered, vastly excited. He smiled wanly. \1 II • wish white shirt fronts Oh. I can't tell you prove that. About three weeks ago I how it\ -- had a meseage from Unele Frank, say - Mg that grandfather was quite Ill. I was to come !vette. Wh - en I got to the hall grandfather was .much better, and seemed annoyed because my uncle had brought me home unnecessarily. That very night he was murdered.\ \Oh:\ she whispered. ••He sees shot by some one who fired through the parlor window. It happen - • at halt' past 11 &sleek, a most un- moult time for grandfather to lientmet. was Dilly dressed when they found him a few minutes after the shooting. A heavy charge of buckshot had struck hies in the breast. I-1 -ant tell you any mere about that. It was too hor- rible.\ \I know. I knovv! Poor Dnvid:\ was studying in my room up to a short time hefore the shot was fired. The 1101!Sel 1Vfla very still. Uncle Frank was downstairs with granddaddy. I couldn't imagine what kept them Op so long, talkine. Finally I heard Uncle Frank go upstairs to hie room. Grand- father was pacing the parlor floor. I could hear the stumping. Finally he Caine out in the hall and sgilled to me. I hurried downstairs. Ile was very much ngitated. 'Darid: hit said 'do yoe rementher darks; we used to hare named !Rene?' I was startled. 'Well, he hits became , a Inwyer up In Pihtmond. Ile has 4lone very Well. end I want you to know what I have done for him. You are to ()Wit this Place einne day -soon. I fear. I have eigned it paper tonight. deeditig over to Isaac the little live acre pa teh on the \reek where he was horn and where his fattier and grandfather were born. lie saw your Uncle Frank in Mole mond recently anti asked him if it wonld be possible for hini to buy the g round. He •a - ants to put up 0 !mint 'ma to be known as the old netzrees' home. I have thought It ever. I did find done. He told of my attempt to I am :mine to kill my Uncle ant sell It to, him. El:11 - bl i rave it to run and of hi.4 struggle to heid me, he said quite calmly. tele of the servants had seen me go - Ob. David: - him. It is all smite retainer and legal. The paper Is in that drawer there.. clown when gran:Id:A(1y Ca lied to ine, \If I find I can't clear my' S'I it and egrila Into eeen Inc go do tv II going hath thOre at sh.nt You are taking the law coarse at the nniversity. I want you to look over quietly to the library after the paper. like it does is he shot his j,o 'Ira - the agreement tonight or tomorrow I did go quietly. it is true, so as not to father.\ distnrb the On zentlemait. \You must not iii. that. - \They - ail rushed upstairs to search \Thea they wiellit -loads 1; r00111. Lying on my table Was the \All. bet I is oeidn't mind long envelope. Judge Gainaborough snit] 1;etneen hi teeth opened It. so he says. They (11111P down- \David. yoti mest le•t stairs. and I shall never forget the lone , Mit!' yen. She can tell v-oe to of horror in the judge's eyes as he : I•01:t think of- of t;e0.\ 5t06,1 there staring at me. 'David.' he tie terned mom her. SaA, 'this is a terrible. terrib'e thine Ynn that ht• '• y011 have done.' I couldn't speak, he demanded. *Hew did you know that your grand- ! \Can'! :1 bldg father had made this nee ni:1? she tine, the -the paper was a new itut (.: The Rose In the Rin By GEORGE liARR WCUTCHEON Copyright 1910 by Dodd, Mead 0, CO. ground. Your uncle Frank advised me to tell you of it tonight,' said he. \I went upstairs to my work, leaving him below. Soon afterward I went down again to get the paper, feeling that I might as well read it before go- ing to bed. He was reading in the back parlor. I got the envelope out of the drawer in the front room and went back upstairs without disturbing hint. A minute afterward I heard the shot. My own gun was standing In the cor- ner. I grabbed it up and crawled through a window on to the gallery, running down the back steps. As I reached the bottom I saw a man climb- ing over the fence to the right. Not dreaming that a tro.gedy had occurred I rushed after him. He easily got away in the darkness. Then I return- ed to the house. As I came near I saw Isaac Perry -unmistakably Isaac Perry- at the corner. lie turned and ran the instant he saw me. When lie crossed in front of the lighted parlor windows I distinctly saw that he did f .E / It e \My grandfather was lying on the floor.\ giving everything to my uncle Frank, excepting a small bequest in money and a house and lot in Richmond. which, however, were to go to Uncle Frank in case of my death. The will looked genuine -everybody said so, even Judge Gainsborough. It had been drawn three weeks before and had been witnessed by George Whitman, who died tea days after signing. and :Mortimer Simms, who, strangely enough, died three days later.\ \It was a forgery -a false will:\ she cried, trembling violently in her excite- ment. \I know it was --I know It. My grandfather had told me of the deed. This was the envelope and the paper. There was leo such deed to be found. That makes me half believe that he did sign the will, thinking it was some- thing else. My story about the deed was not believed. As for Isaac Perry, my uncle said that he left for New York soon after my grandfather's visit to Richmond, doubtless when the will was drawn and signed. Ile could not have been near Jenison hall at the time of the shooting. Uncle Frank produced a letter from Isaac. received that very day from New York, in whieh he said that he was going to Europe as the body servant of a New York gentle- , man who had helped him to secure an education. \They locked me In the cellar and put a guard over ice until the sheriff could come up in the morning. Chris- tine, there wasn't a single chance for me to prove my hmocenee. I knew that Uncle Frank and Isaac Perry had arranged the whole devilish plot. How nicely they arranged it tool it snorked even better than they expect- ed. for I unwittingly damned myself. I ran never tell you of my feelings when the whole thing became clear to me. I must leave that to your Imagi- nation. I was as innocent as a babe. and yet In the eyes of every one as guilty as any murderer has been in this world. My only chance to escape ,.ertain hanging lay in escape. It was after 3 o'clock In the morning when I began to think of flight. I made up my mind that I could never hope for In:mental. I thought only of getting away from them and then devoting my whole life to finding the prof of morning, before it is taken over to the eounty seat. It is just as well that You, who are to be tile next master of Jenieon hall, should understand all that there is in It,. \'Has Isaac Perry been here? asked, for I Was ittrtingeir troubled; 'He has,' said granddaddy: 'he brought the document over this evening. Hittlit\ seems likely to make something of himself, after all.' 'I will rend It in the morning,'! said, and then 11)1(1 him that I was glad that he bad given the not carry a gull. The man I chased had one. Just then a great cry came from the parlor. I rushed up to the window to look within. One of the panes of glass had been broken. \My grandfather was lying on the floor. Two of the servants were standing near, looking at him as if paralyzed. There was blood en his three times. Then he cailed for help. Servants came running from all di- rections. I didn't know what he meant Soon I was to learn.\ \He -he thought you ktiled him?\ whispered Christine. - Ile said I killed him. I was dazed low the old slave I. don't -I ryas crazy. It was a long time be- know when they missed Inc. 1 only fore I realized what was happening to 1 ` 11 `\ v that I reaelled thess-o,dsanti me. The -the servants and the neigh- ran and ran till I thotight I should 'sirs who came in wanted to lynch me, . drop. Some other time I will tell yon but Judge Gainshorough, who rode of all I went through during the next over in his night clothes from his week. Y\\ won't believe a 1^I it, plantation, prevailed upon them n knows it was so dreadful. There were walt--to give ale II hearing. My Uncle a'good many times when I was ready Frank would have let them hang me. , g i vi n li p and a goOd ninny limes I began at last to realize how had it w het' th e y almos t I I \ lee- \ I looked for me. They laughed al my eel me. though. 1IP heard my prayers. story of the man who ran a Way. My I'll never anatin thin!: there is se mied. Uncle Frank deliberately denied that att a lot of us used to think at the mil- ls/me Perry had been there. I was Y'll\ 1 \n't kiv\v the \ f stupefied. It came over me suddenly dread and fear in whirl) I II+ v that -that Uncle Frank had ,lone top sea. Something tolls me they ehooting. Ile bad killed his stye .get me it Lit the t I'll TIP7pr have fa titer: ' 'he elialice to find Isane Perry to force - How wonderfully everything worked hi\ to tell out against me. The gun, with one hal' am snre yo: , will find hint. Da_ re; empty, for I hail fired it that very viol.\ sta. , said, bat her heart wes day in the woods: my presence at (*Old. 1 window: the servants su Ii, situ - me The eircus tents \ - ver.• Pct :ikead of looking in: my uncle Frank's tale ef them eons The band was plre.•:'!.7 and how lie ram,t out on the garery aieoe people were huarying ninny the peerly and saw ITIP hiding Ili the dead nal ; lighted streets. eholtereil afterward creep ap to the all imieind for the et . ..tools, window to ler•,, in upon the thing I Ilavitl's lips were An Infamous Uncle. H E could not continue for a full minute or more. The girl was scarcely breathing. \I just stood there and star- ed, the gun In nty hand. Suddenly some one leaped upon me from behind. It was my l'ncle Frank, and he was out of breath, very much exciterl. icy innocence. Isafte Perry ean prove it or my uncle. But my uncle will not do it, and Isaac is not to be feund. ;fiseevered that when I reached Rich- mond two nights afterward. He bad left nearly three weeks befere, never ' to retern, it was said. • \Well. I hit the darky guard over ' the head with a chunk of stove wood. I hated to do it, hut it was the only chance. You can't kill a nigger by hitting him nu the head. Then I crawl. ti timemsti a small hole in the cellar wall into the potato bins beyond. From there I could easily get into the 'You little devil!' he yelled two or • back yard. provided no nne was watch- ing. They were all on the other side of the wing iliseeseing the murder -- and me. They said I'd surely be lynch- ed the next might. Oh, It writ; awful: I crawled out of the window Inde and sneaked off toward the henhouses he - it on him. Christine, I -I wouldn't be showing that the wool was not to be ettrpris.d if he has also killed Isaac pulled over Joey's eyes. Perry. I've thought of that too. \I think I understand,\ said Davld Isaac is too dangerous to be left alive, gloomily. \lint what am I to say to don't you Kee? He drew the will him \ arid perhaps forged granddaddy's name \Doe't peep. leave it to me. I'll and ASO that of George Whitman aft- tell 'im that you're talking of putting Cr Whitinan's death. Maybe grand- most of it into the business after you daddy really signed the Will, thinking get moiety over into Indiana or Illinois, It was the transfer. I\- That'll stave 'int off. But he's going \Do you think your uncle wanted to 'aye that money one way or anoth- you to be imaged for something you er, may lad. That's wot's on is WIWI.\ do -for a murder lie committed The next morning, just after the himself?\ parade, David went off for a walk in \Why not? I was in the way. If the tont], Ills thoughts were of the they lynched me at once he could feel evening before and the half hour he very seeure. Besides, be kiiew of the hail spent with Christine. He was other trill, dated y6ars ago. which ts thinking of her wonderfully spline - In the bank at Richmond. Of course thetfc eyes, of the live touch of her the fraudulent Will takes the place of hand on Ills arta, of the soft music in the old one.\ her voice, of the delicious words of David did not then tell her of ids faith and contldenee she had whis- stealthy return to Jettison hall two pered. Ile could still feel the tight nights after his flight and before the clasp of Aer fingers on his arm. He funeral. On this occasion he not only could still hear the tremulous note in secured the envelope containing the her voice. $il.000 hidden in his mother's black And how gravely ahe had smiled at leather trunk, but from a place of con- him in the ring! What a profession epalment he was forced t hear such of deep loyalty there was in the glance damning talk regarding himself that she gave Idm when he passed her In he agate stole away, fully convinced the dressing, tent! The world seemed that his wild design to charge his to have grown brighter for him all of uncle with the crime would be abso- a sudden. For the first time in weeks lutely suici,lal, he whistled -and It was a blithe air A sharp exclamation from the girl that he lilted, for by nature he was a brought him out of his last it of ab- blithe lad. straction. They were quite near to His reverie was abruptly disturbed. the tents. Turning a corner he came upon a \We are late,\ she cried nervously, group of town boys. They were mak- \I didn't think of the time. The band lug faces and hooting at a strange fig' is playing the waltz -that's the second tire that crouched against a high board piece before the tournament. We must fence. David recalled this figure at hurry. Oh, I do hope father has not missed us!\ once: a squat, hunchback lad who was to be seen at times behind the counter There was abject terror in her voice, of the \snack stand.\ More than olive They broke into a run. I:deriding to hod the strong, straight Virginian make a wide circuit of the maintops. gazed with a certain pity upon the She was breathless with anxiety. !lel pale faced cripple. grasped her arm n to help her across But now that look was gone. The the rough ground. hunchback, who could have been no \If in knew he would drive you away,\ she cried. more than fifteen, was convulsed by rage. He was showing his teeth like a Near the dressing tent they were vielous dog. The most appalling flow tnet by Mrs. Braddock. of profanity came shrieking through \Hurry.\ she whispered. \Oo In on his white lips. Never had David heard the other side, Jack, quickly. Come such unspeakable names as those this way, Christine. Your fattier is which the tormented boy was scream - routing back through the maintop. Ing at his tantalizers. Oh. I've been so nervous\ Suddenly he spat upon the biggest \Goodby David,\ whispered Chris- tine as she flew to the side wall. An Instant later she disappeared, casting a qiiick glance tip into his face as be gallantly lifted the canvas for her to pass under. \I'm sorry,\ he murmured impul- sively to Mrs. Braddock as she follow- ed. Then he raced around the tent and bolted under the wall into the men's section. Joey Grinaldi simply glared at him. In two minutes he was out of his clothes and beginning to slip into time stripes. of his scoffers, following the act with a name so vile that the other leaped forward and struck him a heavy blow In the face. David dashed in and planted a sting- ing right bander on the jaw of the en- raged bully, sending him to the ground directly. Let's get back to the mt. beside the hunchback, who was - writh- ing there with blood on his lips. Fin not particularly anxious to get For a second or two the fellow's 01 tied just floss'.\ IIe winked at David in a mysterious companions, four in number, stood un- decided. Then, with one accord, they way and then grinned broadly. Davlii rushed at David Jettison. looked puzzled. Then a deep flush spread over hie unstained cheek. The Virginian met the rush stanch- ; \You mean because you are With ly. To his own surprise his wild swings landed mith ninazine precision me?' he demanded. \He's my brother,\ said the.,Other.: putting his hand on Ernie's misshapen shoulder. \No I won't forget this,\ he went on. \You didn't have to in- terfere, but you did. l'iucky thing to do. They say you come from Vii' -I ginia. Well, you've proved it. Thanki you for doing this. My name's Dick; Cronk. I'm from New York. Ernest,, I haven't heard you say anything that. Bounds like 'much obliged.' Speak upr The hunchback looked sullenly at the ground, his black eyebrows almost' meeting in a straight line above his' nose. \He couldn't have licked 'em If you hadn't come, Dick,\ he protested. \See here, Ernie,\ said Dick, \that's no way to act. Mr.-er-this young - gentleman defended you until I\ - \I saw him looking at my -my hump yesterday. He laughed at met\ cried the boy fiercely. David's hand fell from his bloody cheek. \Laughed at you!\ he cried. \I never did such a thing. You are mistaken.\ • \What were you laughing at, then?\ demanded the unfortunate boy, nettle oversensitive by his dread of ridicule. \I don't remember that I laughed,\ said Dasid. perplexed fled distressed: \Let's be friends.\ Dick pushed Ernie forward gently, but firmly. The hunchback extended his hand grielginglY• \All right.\ he said sulkily. \Conte on!\ said Dick, suddenly alert. \The cops will be along here Throe Abreast. Braddoek came In, his cigar WfillOW. Iii' runk stared. \What's that get eniatoryismile. Every one stood ready l and the most gratifying effect. Two recall something to mind. \I dills' , big In the throes of a vaeuous but con - for a shocking display of profanity. l the savage impact of his bloot his assailants reeled away under to do with me? Oh!\ lie appeared to blow's. A ' isi as k y si h e e „i i i with amiable (us. stone struck him on the shoulder; a mean neythIng like that.\ he hastened regard for the novice's tardiness. young ruffianto explain. \As far us that goes. reached his face with a \would you mind letting me take $50 cutting blow of the list guess you're in worse company thee He felt the I until tomorrow? here's a guy out hot blood trickling down Ills cheek, but I alo at the Present moment.\ here that threatens to attach us if I he stool squarely in front of the I With this enigmatic rejoinder he lik e ma d, proceeded to collect three tropaiee don't settie an outrageous bill for feed hunchback, his fists swinging the battle and toss them over the high and provisions. I'm just als1.50 short.\ No one etinize, Dnvld did net even glance at Grinaidl or the others Ile knew and I114.3\ linew that there woe no such claim against Braddock. Ile hesitated for aim instant only. Then It was borne In upon him that Brad- dock may have heard of his Walli with Christine nail was demanding tribute. He picked up his coat and deliberate- ly drew front the lining a thin. folded bit of paper. It contained all the mon- ey that was in his possession at the time. He counted off five ten -dollar bills, replaced the remaining $30 inside his striped shirt and banded the tribute to Braddock. \You're a fine boy, Jacky,\ maid the man. \I'll not forget this.\ He eame back when the show was half over and with vast good nature took David over to where Mrs. Brad- dock and Christine were standing with wonder als1 lionlit in their faces. \I guess It's all rigid for us four to see a little more of each other.\ he said, but he did not look at his wife. Handed the Tribute to Braddock. 11 .1ael:y. yet, raseai. vee are us ill: I !IS ciii, 1 In It13. 1',711.1,3. I ers all he ft ?It . - 111-.1,1 , be k\. : ! •1 tne, ot a. ' the eff , r: I, secir la vld's :icy. Cle . ,stim• lieu- father mut c.d . , itio: -11.sfs't 4.12 lel: 1111 y4 , .1 14. it inomiy ti.v in a io' that .Toey (\.r:bahli saht 1 , 101 O•t, front. It a sent - eet It ef advice. The Brothars Cronlc. board fence. The three of them turned into the UDIST:NLY a new element en• narrow alley and waited briskly along. tered into the one sided conflict ; Dick ('monk regaling the perplexed Da - A whirlwind figure dashed out ; add with airy continents on the meth - of an alley hard by and came ; ods employed by rustic police in thelr crashing into the thick of the fray. \Dick. Dick:\ shrieked the cowering efforts to preserve the city (rein the depredations of circus followers and cripple. the fiercest glee in his shrill voice. scalawags. Ile was a revelation to \Always on hand:\ sang out the the young Virginian. a newcomer, slashing out right and left. \'re you a performer?\ asked David. Dick Cronk laughed softly. \Yea. \Old Nick -o' -time, my lads! So you'd I've been performing on the perpen- jump on a cripple, would you? Here's (Peeler bars for the past two weeks. a Christmas gift for you, you bay - Not the horizontal bars, mind you. Ranks and Davis do that net. Climb- ing up and down the bars has been my Job lately.\ \You mean?\ \Even the innocent must sliffer seed I\ Singing i glibly after this fashion, the tall recruit laid about him with devas- tating effect. Three of the surprised town boys were sprawling on the ground; another was trying to scale sometimes.\ quoth the nonchalant pull - toe: the fifth was being soundly pol- David that he had been in jail. ished off by the exhilarated David. In less time than it takes to tell it five 4 Three abreast they moved down the terrified hoodlums were \streaking it\ main street Of the town, soon mingling in as many directions, their chins with the throngs of country people in high with a mighty resolve, their legs the neighborhood of the public square. working like pinwheelis their eyes pop- ping rind their mouthe spread in speeehless endeavor. Five seconds hat - Pi -'k Cronli'a.hands were in his troll- ser's pockets: his shoulders were thrown hark, his chin elevated, his er you t•ottidn't have found one of them long legs stepping out freely, confident - with a telescope. ly. His stiff black hat was cocked air. The bunchbaok had leaped forward ily over his richt ear. He was rather and was elasping a leg of the tall, an. flashily dressed, hilt he had the ease of gry rescuer, whining petulantly: \Why manner that enabled him to carry Ins didn't you eeme sooner. Diek? You clothes with peculiar unobtrusiveness, never look out for ice. One of them They were threadbare and untidy, If struck me. See:\ you took the pains to look closely. hut - \Stritek you. did he? I'd -I'd have von never thonght of looking closely: ii lied him if I'd knowed that, Ernie. you merely toon in the general effect. Put. say, who's your friend? Looked which was rather pleasing than other - as if lie was (bible business all rieht wise. I came lip. They got to The fnee of this debonair knight of you, did they? Bleeding like a pig. 1, - ; o z ats-,-.0ta vvas cprimislv attractive, you are. Say, young feller, never mit thoo-01 not what y - on would call hand- :, our nose a it -re it can is- hlt. I hates some. fentnres were too pro - was wiping the blood from his li o n t r o p o q. pr i o ri ti s e d t n o rk t w ha l a ir t tile sight of blew'. and always did.\ cheek. The tall punt:: man came over grew nil be:' low on Ida wide forehead: rind inspected time break in time cuticle_ it always looked straight and damp. - Suet peeled it off a little,\ he tin- Tile nnee wee lime and pointed. When nommed. \No harm done. Ob. I saY• was almost lives- cal're the new Howls nin't you? I a:or, the tip of it appeared to pro. •.,aw you last night. Pot it there, kid. at least half an inch farther era You're a bill,. I'll not forget what I r. tn his face and to assume a new ele- you did for Ertile.” v1sqttInr‘eiag gray n.1lls 'rite INVO '4111.10k ha11114. The satirical s , , : ‘ , rt ri,i n grill had len lhe \ranger's rano , lie '-' I winkled :rood buinoredly under n eye , . narreweil by the (aid 'vu -'-regarding David with It i i ii 7n gray ento ,..,triu to be with the show of huh gaze. David hail the feeling the lest ef the summer?\ asked David !hat his Innen:mist soul was being itesitatiorziy. searelted by the shrewdest eyes lie hail • -I don', know.\ said the other. wirs- e . .. - er I ,otzeil Into. Pig his lips. \1 'ant say that I :Me e , line lilt just In lime: . exPlaIlled Itrathlock's greedy ways. Ile wants th e v Ir.:johns still somewhat out of too initell in the divvy. There's p!elity li:eath. \'I 11.y %%ere tei:s!ng him. and ,.r s:114PWR nowadays that don't ask any- tliett et14 , o,!\ II.° I riTte. :1 , 1, 1 thinu.i on , us. But Brad's got to have fair pia,. I t kitig a shieC of it. See? I've been thinking .1 hand Ito i;;W Linn a little ur Barnum :tad Van Antleire” severely. - (To be continued.]