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‘H A 1=3‘.‘,1,:’>, 13;; p A Y S .
in the matter, glanced indhirlngly at Judge
Hepwor
“Milt,”
this man Miller makes against you?
“I hope’ I can r," our hero replied
“But it will be necesary to tell most of our
story.‘ c ,
“Tell it, then, but as briefly as you can.
Oihcers, will you be good enough to wait.
until we can hear this through?" .
,Eoth constables nodded respectfully.
Milt then started, at the beginning of
his disagreement with Job Wharter.
As the story proceeded, Job looked as
he would like lo break in upon the
but be qualled before -the old
eye. ,
Then Milt carried his story on through
the Royaiton ay
It was not until
aper?",uttered Job, uneasily,
the silence‘. at last.
ten the paper,
pursue
That
asleep on the mow.
d Mr.
“when I reached
into your pocket,
thought it was the pocket of Rogers. You
woke up, and I had my finger-tips on your
You believed I was trying to rob
the alarm.
,Miller had listened, a good deal of puz-
, zled bewilderment in his face.
‘ He did not now reply nto
nce.
‘But Job Whaxter, who had shifted un-
easily from one foot to the other, now rais-
ed a warning hand.
now‘-at once!
in my safe, unless it has disappeared.
few questions about it.” ,
cnkrraa xirv.
Coxcntsiox.
Even had it not been for the peculiar,
uneasy and shifty look in Job Whaxter’s
eyes, those present still would have scent-
ed the fact that another page was to he
turned over in the strange story that was
unfolding before their eyes
hirr-rr-rr! rattle! wentthe mechanism
as
of the combination on the safe lock
Judge I-lepworth nimbly'twirled it around
Click! The safe door was open, the ol
v man bending forward to look for the doc-
ument that he wante
“Here it is," announced the Judge, brine.
ing forth an envelope.
ob
Whaxter's sharp in-take of breath
was heard by everyone in that almost sil-
ent room
"Let me see," went on the judge, regard-
ing the document through his spectacles as
it. “this document really con-
he unfolded
. on, Mr. Wbaxter, know
the writer's full name?, Do you know who
is?"
‘Marlon F. H.’ .
“Was,” corrected Jo
“Ah!
favoring Milt's toe with a sharp look
Job breathed quickly.
too fast, and now he regrctte
“No,
d .
I don’t know, Jedge,” he answered,
rapidly. "Twas
dead by this time
“ is
tter,“ ‘went on the Judge,, “in-
from you whether there was any
left to come for her through the
business that her late husband was en-
,,,.
quires
money
gaged in with you
“That is. if the
tioned on that letter?‘
“No,” admitted the Judge, coldly. “But;
e of argument, that
pasted to the first page.
n
-. Judge Hepwortb paused a moment,‘ while
ded the ilrst page over and
he carefully fol
the second.
“This page is in some other handwrit-
ing, pursued e old man. ,“It is in a.
man‘s handwriting, possibly Yours, Mr.
Whaxter?" " ,- '
not answer.
Job did
‘suggested the old man, slowly,
“can't you explain away the charge that
5.
this that he spoke of the
dropped from Whaxter's
pocket on that night of the bomb explosion.
" breaking
“Give it to me, right
g it.” .
ignoring him, went on with the
v story of how Rogers and Hinkley had got-
and of how he and Chub had
brought our hero to an account of
how they had entered Miller's barn under
the impression that the pan-handlers were
Miller," continued Milt.
if you have any such paper, I or-
..
If
I can find that paper, I want to ask you a
ll.
Then you do know the full name
of the writer?” demanded Judge I-Iepworth,
He had spoken
only guesswork on.niy
part. That letter looks old, and so I guess-
ed that mebbe the party that writ it was
letter was writ to me,"
suggested Job, craftlly. “is my name men-
went on Judge Hepworth.
aal?” questioned Job
dollars’ worth of profits.” .
“ he?" asked Job, cunningly.
ter's eyes.
ument when Milt showed it to me.
it and told him I would try
meaning.
Bradlock what it all men
“Ye don’t know what it
Job, nervously.
Judge I-Iepworth.
gotten,
Edgeworth.
the matter down.
was a difficult case to handle.
was Marion Frances I-Iollister."
Milt’s foe.
Edgeworth.
under another name, for
Curtis.
Hollister, in a. certain business.
dollars.
and eight thousand dollars.
“I don't
prove it!
I won't pay it!
han can be brought forward.”
s
ford.
1) Y.
Job started. his face becoming more
one of surly bravado.
‘Why,
Iiepworth went on, slowly “that
the doorstep of the almsbouse.
“What's that,
ing forward, clutchin
' e boy, I miess, Milt,"
the old man.
age of that man! "
“ a-mother
struck voice.
lect from that man
drooping jaw.
“Where is she?” -
his watch.
living.
effect the first sight of your
have on the present Mrs. Cu
tremulous, pleading, sweet voice,
ook to get it in his possession a
“Indeed I
ier, heartily.
thought
“Up to
Wbaxter tried to poison everybody
Westford
“This is a description of two shares in
some profits that were made in business,"
“One share is
marked H, the other share is marked W.
‘, Perhaps W stands for Whaxter, and the H
for the dead husband of the woman who
“It looks here as though the man, II.
was entitled to some thirty-two hundred
Judge i-Iepworth folded the paper, next
looking straight and piercingly into Whax-
“My man," rang the old man's voice,
sternly, “I became interested in this doc-
I took
to find out its
I have found out its meaning,
and this evening I meant to have told Milt
nt.
means! " vibrated
“Pardon me, but I think I do," retorted
“Perhaps you have for-
Mr. Whaxter, that this letter of the
woman's was dated from a town called
I put a detective out to run
After all these yearn it
But the
detective discovered that ‘Marlon F. H.’
A low, uneasy cry came from the lips of
“Mrs. Iiollister." continued Judge Hep-
wortb, ‘had long ago moved away from
To-day, she is even known
some years ago
she married her second husband, a Mr.
Mrs. Curtis, however, remembers
you very well as a partner of her husband,
You
assured her that there was nothing due on
T is second page
‘of the document, however, shows, in your
own handwriting, that you owed, and still
owe Holllster's widow thirty-two hundred
That sum, after all these years,
amounts with interest, to between seven
owe it,” raged Job. “Ye can‘t
“Fortunately,” rejoined the old Judge.
coolly, “my detective has found other evi-
dence of the debt. My man, I think yap
will pay the debt, for the courts will cer-
tainly order you to do it on the evidence
t
“But what has all this got to do with this
boy, Bradlock, anyway?" raged Job Whax-
te
r.
“Perhaps nothing, perhaps much," re-‘
h “Whaxter, Dexter
left
In fact, Holiister never was in West-
ford. When I-Iollister died, he left the baby
boy behind him. W'hat ‘became of that
O W
V .
“Well, what did become :3’ the kid ye’re
talking about, ledge?” he demanded in a
it seems reasonable to suppose,
from some things I have learned," Judge
, Y0“.
Whaxter, had that infant son delivered at
sir?" gasped Milt. lean-
g at the Judge's arm.
smiled
“In fact, I'm rather sure of
it, for I've seen a photograph of Dexter
I-lollister, and you're almost the living im-
e - ha living?“
breathed Milt, very slowly, and in an awe-
“The present Mrs. Curtis should be your
mother, Nate Hollister,” replied the old
man.
“Nate Iiollisterl Is that my real name?"
“If the present Mrs. Curtisproves to be
your mother, then you're Nate I-lollister
b .
Job, who, now silent, stood looking on with
“But my mother!‘ almost subbed Milt.
“About taking the train for here, I should
say,“ replied Judge Iiepworth, consulting
‘ ‘She will reach here in the
know
I am waiting anxiously to see what
“Mr. Miller,” spoke in Grace IIepworth's
that you understand all that that once-
stolen paper really means to Milt Bradlock
Nate Hollister-can't you see how
g .
can, little lady!" replied Mil-
the time when I
Milt meant to rub me I allus
thought him a mighty manly chap. But
the trouble was. I reckon, that this pesky
against your young friend. I'm
MiIt's friend, though, from now on. Con-
stables, I take bzlck.my charges. There's
going to be nothing doing from me! "
want to ask this fellow,
Perkins," continued Grace, “what he was
doing prowling around the back of this
house some two hours ago?”
“Was he?" demanded Judge I-lepwnrtb,
eagerly. -
"I saw him, from my bed-room window,"
Grace replied. “Still, I didn't know but
that he might have some business here. In
fact, at the time I didn't pay much atten-
tion to him, beyond npticing his red hair
and beard. '
“I think I can answer it all then," hint-
“Perkins, you scoun-
tbe bonds, saw b
dropped them in his pocket."
“Constables,” directed the old Judge,
sternly, “you may take Perkins in charge
on my accusation that be severely beat
young Eastman a little while ago. Boys,
everything seems to be so well proved in
your favor that I hasten to assure you of
my greatest friendship. Milt, I didn't want
to tell you about t e chance that your
mother was living until she reached here.
Then, when things looked so black against
you, I trembled at the very thought of her
coming across such a rascally son as you
then appeared to be. As for you, Whax-
ters .
But Job had slid out and was gone. .liil-
afterwards was sentenced to two years’ im-
prlsonment for that assault on Chub.
The Hubbards and Annie Irving remain-
ed, by Judge Iiepworth's invitation, after
Milt had introduced them.
-Soon afterwards Milt, as we shall still
call him to the end, strolled down one of
the shady paths with Annie lrving, Chub
leading Millie in another direction. ,
“I suppose that beautiful Grace is the
sweetheart of these happier days?" asked
Annie, bravely, and in a steady voice.
“Yes,” nodded Milt, with a light, happy
laugh. “She's Dick Jordan's sweetheart.
He's a due, splendid young fellow. I've
met him once, and Grace talks to me about
him every day.” -
“Why, I thought-"
“Thought what, Annie, dear? Good
heavens, did’you imagine Grace was my
sweetheart. Annietlrving, did you think
a fellow could ever give his heart to you
and then get it back again?“
What loving girl could fail to be satis-
d-ed with an answer like that?
The Hubbards and Annie remained at
Judge Hepwor-th's over night.
Soon after dark Mrs. Curtis arived. With-
in two minutes all was understood, and she
and Milt-Nate-were left to cry a bit in
.each others arms. 1
Mrs. Curtis's second marriage had been
to a. wealthy’ and indulgent man, who
promptly declared that our hero’: home
must be with his mother.
The money Job Whaxter was forced to
pay over in full. Mrs. Curtis turned it
over to her son's account.
Milt was soon in his chosen business
world, and Chub with him. ‘
Our hero established a pretty, happy lit-
tle home ‘with wife, once Annie Irving.
Chub and Millie keep house under a roof
on the same block.
Grace is married to-her choice, and the
young couple are engaged in making the
declining years of Judge I-Iepwurth happy.
Whaxrer left Westford, driven away by
his disgrace that come u u him through
Milt‘s moves and Judge Hepworth's dis-
cover es. ,
No one knows where Job is in these days,
but all Westford folks agree that Milt
Bradlock-Nate Hollister-kept his threat
of making his ancient me look like ‘Two
for u Centfj
(rm-: zso.)
O060%OfOf0f090$0QOVOO0tO‘O90-
“TIIE LIBERTY BOYS OF '76” No. 328,
out to-day, contains a stirring Revolution-
ary story called “The Liberty Boys With
General Stark; or, Helping the Green
Mountain Boys.‘ Price 5 cents. ' '
OOOOfO$040+O-60009-00
in the Zoological Gardens of Berlin
dwells ‘Master Lin,’ a chimpanzee. Some
time ago this intelligent ape held a fash-
ionable reception‘ at one of the leading
hotels in the German capital. Wearing full
evening dress, “Master Lin” presided at n
“5 u‘cluck tea.” handing his card with
graceful mien to the lady visitors, and
passing sandwiches and other refreshments
to his guests. Then, surrounded by ele-
gantly dressed admirers, the chimpanzee
partook of a dainty repast, in which tea,
bananas, biscuits and cakes predominated,
and afterwards shoo with his d
parting guests in approved fashion.
“Well,” grinned Perkins, “maybe I did."'r
,A Little Fun.
ilarry-You mean to‘ say that I married
her for her money? Clarice-Absolutely.
I've seen her.“
She-Soldiers must be feaifully dishon-
est. lie-Why? She-Well, iL seems a
nightly occurrence for a sentry to be re-
lieved of his watch.
Miss Lovelorn (slghlng)-Cupid ‘often
misses the mark. Miss sweetly (demure-
ly)-Yes, but the oftr-ncr he hits it the
more Mrs. he makes.
Host-Vvhy did you'sIril-:e my dog‘!
only sniffed nt you. Visitor--Well,
don't expect me to wait until he lasted
me, do you’!
“Yes, I was awfully fond of that girl, and
I believed her to he crlect; but I
something about her last night that made
me ill." “Whot'was thaw" “Another fel-
low's arm."
Doctor.-Well, Matthew, did you take
Patient.
something different?
terrible hard to swallow.
He-I'm going to lilarlenbud to take the
waters and thin down a bit she-Why,
aren't you thin enough‘! No; I've
just had a dozen shirts made, and they fit
me too tightly round the neck.
Banker Sussell (who with his friends
has made an excursion into the woods, is
summoned by his servant, who brings im-
portant news)-Ilut however did you and
me, Jean? ServantAOh, I simply followed
the empty wine bottles.
“Do you still believe in
nesses?” “Yes." “Ilow do you account
for the fact that little Mary Bingler cries
so easy and so often?" “Her mother work-
e in an onion cannery, and her grand-
mother was an emotional actress."
The Model-I was sitting for Mr. Dauber
esterday. He said he thought you were
very lucky. The Artist-Ah, he's jealous
f my work-what? The Model-Not ex-
0
at it closely, he had come to the conclusion
that you must have a private income to
live on.’ , ,
m.:.:.
BUY
OUR 10-CIENT HANDBOOK
No. 39. How to Raise Dogs, Poultry,
Pigeons and Rabbits.
A useful and instructive book.
somely illustrated. By Ira Drofraw.
‘lntere
sting items.
A campaign is being arranged in South
Devon, England, against the wood pigeons
annually.
ized by the tenant farmers. but all the
landowners and shooting tenants are being
invited to co-operate. It is intended to line
the borders of the great woods where the
birds pass the night with guns. and when
they return from the day's foraging to
shoot them. this being the onl way in
which warfare can be successful y waged
against them.
ught by some
coup either to repair their shattered for-
tunes or to bring down utter ruin upon
themselves. One of the most curious in-
stances of this kind comes from England
A notorious
chance of winning! Odd or even for 15,000
guineas!" “Odd!” replied the peer placid
ly, and the gambler
howl against the wall, when they counted
,the pieces Lord Lorne had won.
A popular idea in Switzerland that some
of the wells in that country are reliable
weather prophets has been proved by scl-
entists to be well founded. These wells,
by some sort of pressure, not clearly un-
drawing in
definitely if there Was any
of weather prophecy the wells were cover-
ed, aud a small opening was surmounted
with a ‘U-shaped pressure gauge. It was
found that when the barometer rises the
air rushes into the wells in a steady cur-
falls the air
inherited weak. .
But he said that, after looking 7
Hand-.
which, it is ral- .v
Driven to desperation by tbetr heavy ‘
hurled the magnificent‘