OCR Text |
Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SUNDAY MORNING, The .TUNG, 19, 1921. Prim Little , Assistant librarian The 'Masked Dancer Sunbury s Biggest Man. Illustrated by 0. D. BATCHELOR. The SAMUEL MERWIN People who are forced to stand on their feet all day know what sore, tender, sweaty, burning feet mean. They use Tiz, and Tiz cures their feet right np. It keeps feet in perfect conTiz dition, is tne only remedy in the world that draws out all the poisonous exudations which puff up tho feet, and cause tender, sore, tired, achIt instantly stops the pam in masked dancer bounded on the stage In ing feet.calluses and bunions. Its simthe slightest of costumes, a bewitchingly corns, more money to spend than wa good for him, he had on numerous occasions mildly distressed the transplanted New Englanders who mainly composed the original population of Sunbury. orchestra1 When the "augmented broke Into the weirdly delightful opening measure of the "Marche Miniature," and a slim little by Tschaikoweky, Public Library board of Sunbury its' meetings In tho office opened off the rear of the tack. Here were assem bled, on a certain evening in the gentlemen and Indie of that Mr. Overton, of the bank, w a hotly. there; his hair was white now, hie manner utterly calm. Mr?. William B. Snow, a elderly lady, with views regarding proper reading for the young, sat beside young Mr. David whose financ-ligift reached always toward funds for the new. bundiMiss ng. Wombast, librarian for thirty years, being ill at this time, her place at the secretarys desk was occupied by her a.siethnt, M ss Henrietta Brown. Mr. El.berfnrce Jenkins presided, a tall, quiet man of perhaps 45, who had inherited considerable wealth and made e great deal more a roan of dignity and srwidlrg, a widower, and a backer of the Chicagp .opera. . Mr.. Jenkins' disposed of the business of the meeting; and the members of the .board set out for their various homes. Left alone, Alias Brown deftly tidied up the de-then moved .about with quick, birdiike steps, replacing books and switching off the lights. During her residence in Sunbury she had corns to be accepted es useful on committees; but no one ever saw her at a dance or walking with a man. She might have been under or over 80. but must have looked an old maid at 20. She never talked never exhibited emotion. She tripped briskly along Simpson street to the rented House that she spoke of as "home." , Here lived her married esterv-MrGeorge C. Battle, younger than Miss Brown, faded and tired from the demands of three young children and unending housework. Mrs. Battle sat darning stockings. Overhead two of the children were crying vigorously. "What's the matter with themT""" asked Miss Brown. Her sister s'ghed. "George always says that If I dont let them cry it out, we'U never have any discipline here. . . . What are you going to do?" , "Going out to the study." "I wish youd stay and talk to me. Maybe you think it doesnt get on my nerves, too with George staying in town evenings, and all the worries. , . . What do you do out there, anyway all alone? Sometimes it seems as if ws dont know THE au-tm- ed , I k, - -- s. it-- . at all." You know X cant work In here. "But if it's work, why dont we se results from It once in a while? And what kind of work needs a' talking machine placing Have vou supposed, all these sears, we eoudnt hear it and wonder a little? Seems to me that you're You'd better go to bed, Mary. said Miss Brown quietly. The rnuslo helps When ft slim little masked dancer me with mv work. And she went out into the back through the kitchen hack over his whole existence. . yard. Miss Brown had made over the- small garage at the rear into a simple den, mica In the stove door, they would find her out with desk and chair, bookcases, an During this autumn the Battles fell on round stove, a closet, and an troubled ways. George C., caught in the was tacked to the inexpensive rug that floor. general financial confusion that followed the war, She gave out. Finally they carried bolted the door behind her, ' A. t. public ward of the swttched on the soft ra- him to a cot in theHis wife struggled diance shone on the desk, with its neat Sunbury hospital. Henriof debt a wave of against reference rising books. She etta papers and piles moved about drawing down the window dipped into her slender savings account to and milkman with grocer, on help the fire. shades, and put a little coal She sank into, the desk chair, drew and then took to selling her small Liberty toward her on& of the piles of papers and bonds, one by one, at a loss. With an that seemed at times fingered It. to be risingintensity into a fever of the nerves. But her eyes lifted to the cheap talkMiss Brown on a smalt table sought relief in her secret ing machine that stood between the bookcases: then strayed to outlet. She developed new steps and transitions. Looking for a novel by the door she seemed to be listening. A flush crept high on her thin cheeks. Henry James in an obscure corner of the bookstack, she forgot herself and was The nervous eyes burned with an Inner fire. She spread out a few of the pa- nearly caught pirouetting bv two high school boys. This frightened her. pers. looked intently at them; then she Late in October the incomparable Lou-poreplaced them on the pile and pushed appeared In Chicago. Miss Brown that back In its place. Then she disappeared behind the screen for weeks planned An afternoon off. During the dancing, sitting alona In ft in the corner. Five minutes later she stepped out, attired In a light shirtwaist front seat of the gallery, her spirit and gymnasium bloomers, her Teet bare. soared to the heqyens Its .the exquisite And mnv it was evident that this little little dancer floated about the stage. To the soft lighting and beautiful scenery, woman had the divine gift of grace. She moved slowly, rather laxity, about to the atmosphere of on exotlcally bethe rug, flexing her muscle drawing witching art. her starved nature opened responded like that of an eager her thin arms sinuously up over her and child. She lost her in head and lowering them, rising on tipan illusion that enveloped her and illumitoe and swinging first one leg and then nated nil that was rea! in her curiously the oilier in a smooth, wide arc. She dual life. She found herself .like Stood, next, with feet a little apart, liftone In a dream, up a littered going, ed her arms and bent very slowly backalley and door. at a stage ward until her hands touched the floor, knocking then ran lightly on her hands and feet Dreamily persistent, asking and waitin a circle as wide as the mg. ing and asking again. Miss Brown found Next Miss Brown turned a handspring, herself at length in the presence of two as neatly and lightly ns the most expert men men who were f.it and rough, and acrobat. She laid a sheet of note paper wore their hats tipped back, and neglecton the rug, stood on It, and thew a ed to remove their cigars when they backward somersault, alighting squarely spoke. That they were rude seemed on the paper. She amused herself next wonderfully not to matter.She heard her own voles Insisting on with a few dance steps of an intricate an opportunity to exhibit her skill. Thev pattern and rhythm. She now started the talking machine had to consents otherwise she would have had to insist further. It was Desplaying Tchaikowskys "Marche Miniature," and leaped into a dance. The tiny. It was what life had been really 'e about all these years. At half-paher own a steps were in a sens of hits she had seen done, and seven thev would eee her; here on the wonderful childhood. dim, remembered from steps stage! She caught the 5:40 Out to Sunbury, There were occasional crudenesses In the transitions from step to step and threw her dancing costume into a handbag, and caught the :30 back to town. posture to posture, but her quick intel-ligeFor a miserable hour she watted about e and amazingly alert activity covered these, actually converted them into the stage door, but the men did not As her breath come; the doorman mercifully let her incharacter and color. came more quieklv and her bright cheeks side then; and still she watted. From a shadowy corner she watched and e pm kling eyes told of the happiness Loupova as that greatest of dancers exshe found in this perfect physical freeercised on a and there Miss her face took thin of dom, degree elfin beauty. . . . She danced a Strauss Brown listened to the rolling waves of one that the Russian bethen of the her sis- applause greeted waltz, A ter had complained of a grotesque, made yond the wings. Later the two men were there; still up of bounding jerky steps and lightning spms and pirouettes. smoking cigars; and without a Then for a time, wrapped In an old thought she presented herself berobe. Miss Brown sat moodily before the fore them. It was arranged then, stove. Even her sister had forgotten grudgingly, that she should dance after bow prettily she had danced as a little the performance. She was given a dressg rl, but poverty bad come, and work. ing room, where at once she prepared The sensitiveness of a,' thin, shy child herself, and then. In an agony of dehad hardened Into a forbidding sire for she knew not what, watted. Stie could never become recA languid young man sab at a piano. onciled to that wild strain in her breast. He couldn't play the "Marche Miniature. It was bitterly real. Live with it she Impatient to begin, she cried: Oh, play imi't. At times it terrified her. a anything a wait Of recent years she had taken to Shaking with fright, shs ventured on Afternoons off and slipping into a few tentative steps; then, hardly aware She slipped furtof what ahe was doing, she danced. Chicago to see daneing. vaudeville Into houses. talked ively They excitedly afterward. The Some day, she reflected, as she stared fatter man patted hen shoulder. The lanthe at redly glowing squares of guid pianist addressed her as My dear! grimly fox-trot- ... - ed drop-ligh- va - ... com-posu- st ni ... bark-stag- e; fox-tro- ts ua fox-tro- t! ng Continued from preceding page.) I throwing tha lines over her horaa'a sack. " I'm going home," she answered, aa sharply as the words could be spoken. IJelle Crossed the sidewalk to her side. This is a poor time of day-fa long ride. Weve quarreled, I know,- but dont try a mountain trail a night like this. Tha rain isnt over yet." HI be home before it starts again," returned Kate, springing into the saddle, " Pm sick of this town and everybody in it." So saying, she si ruck her horse with the lines and headed fof the mountains. For John Lefever the rainy night promised te be a busy ane;' darkness and tha storm would, be felt, give Laramie a chance to get Hawk safely into town; but to do this would (All for precaution.- The rain had hardly begun to fall that afternoon to the discomfiture of Kate and her undoing with Belle before Lefever began to cheer up in speculating on what might be done. lie found Laramie at the hotel and set out to round up Sawdy. The rendezvous was br I I f and beauti- ply glorious. Ah! bow comfortable your grotesque feet fell after using Tiz. t You ll fully lighted and set out against a back round- - of shimmering never limp or draw up your face in pain. draperies fenkind experienced a thrill the like Mr. of Your shoes wont tighten and hurt which he could not remember In a swift your feet. glance back over his whole existence. Get a box of "Tie now from any The little person was at once exquisJust think! a whole year itely graceful, amaslngly active, quaint. druggist. footmomfort for only a few cents. wild He thought of sprite and elves leaves of wet oak glistenhamadryads, (Advertisement.) ing under a slanting November sun. "She's a true artist. Jenkins reflected, "probably a 'Russian, or perhaps a Then Mr. Gentle was hack, storming Hungarian, Certainly no American or In past the pmid. British person ever danced like that. In "So vou think you can Insult him like the abandon of that strange artistry that, eh Insult, him, me, everybody spoke out the free spirit of a finely darAfter all Ive done, for you! God ing soul." And so little Miss Henrietta knows Brown was driven from hie mind. Bhe sat white and still. Mr. Jenkins had meant to watch dur"Well, he cried, "what you got to ing that next day In the postofffee,- but say for yourseif? it had abruptly become necessary to "Nothing." It was hardly more than adapt the routine of hta life to a new and ft whisper. "Mr. Gentle, Im going home, emotional great experience. Accordingly Going? When?" he ran back to Chicago during the day Tolaynow. ' to put his business house in order; and "But good Gawd! returned to spend tho evening again at "What will you take to release me?" that vaudeville house. "Don't talk I can't release you. After the performance, on the second How can 1? crasyl Were ail booked up. And evening of hie great experience, Mr. Jenwe've got a fortune in sight money kins stood timidly, seif consciously, like reel hard money! a bewildered boy, with collar turned up "You could release me' if I were lll.r and hat pulled down, in an alley doorway, " "Well, but and eased out of a shining dream at a "I am 111. I want the contract back. slim little person who wore an impeneI'll pay you five hundred dollars for . trable veil and stepped into a closed In the end the amazed Mr. Gentle had motor cab to be whisked oft into the unto accept her. offer. a a a friendly night. On a December evening in the city of the George C. and his wife sat Washington the Masked Danoer bounded table that still bore the unwashed by dinner off the stage and stood panting, behind dishes. draperies. With her dainty head poised Henrietta stood In ths doorway, pale, slightly to one side, she listened to the but otherwise natural, wearing her last roar of the applause from the great auditopcoat and turban. ence. Through the mask her nearly winters "I in ball down up- my put the bag black eyes anapped with excitement. Her stairs, Henrietta TU unstaying. little hands were tightly clenched. It pack as soon as I we lifrom the setback was, she fait, the great moment of her brary. Theyll hardly have my trunk life; for out there sat the dignified presihere before morning.N dent of the United States, applauding "Have you had anything to aat? happily. Time and again ahe returned asked George C sternly. to sink on her heel in a curtsy that was "I picked up a bite of supper in the In Itself a little feat in delicate acroba.ua Chicago station." balancing. But what are we to think? cried She turned her shoulders to the wattMrs. Georgs C. What are we to ing maid, who drew a wrap about her. think? Then she found her path blocked by the It Isnt that we dont appreciate tout person of Mr. Gentle, and the deall you've done, put in George C. "The lighted sparkle lett her eyes. money but "Just a minute, dear!" said he. "Suppose you Just try keeping still? "Please let me by, ahe answered. With which remark little Mis Not yeti Brown stepped brisk "No, 1 wont, he retorted. out and sharply closed ail right, this stuff not speaking to the front door. its hounded bn the stage, Mr. Jenkins experienced a thrill the like of which he could not remember in ft swift glancs me. You neednt think I care a damn. As she left tha discordant household ' . But if ita getting so you wont even let behind, her spirits quietly and unacme talk business with you. then whats countably rose. The library building The slender woman in the coat of real it is? Or where you'll be! Aren't we with her tralnk g. Well, shes been very the use o' my trying to do all this for seemed to smile comfortably at her like an old friend who knew, and knowing, Russian sables, , who had applauded, even to have an address? It seems to good about it In one way. My my own you? me that youre He was raising his voice. Bhe loathed forgave much. affairs have had something of a setproved t to be Loupova herself. Misa Wombast, at the desk, greeted her "But-jushim. She knew now he was drawing 5750 back through a serious Illness and what is it you want? qsked Silly, I told you I would be travelthe less fat man! "I cant very well lake ing! And of course Ill send you ad- this is rather personal she has sent a week for the "act that still paid her with an embrace. My dear, go right dresses from time to time. you into my company." money to her sister every week so much the "two hundred and a half of the back into the office and hang up your Miss Brown was silent For the first "It sounds fishy to me, if you want to money, indeed, that It's been rather dif- original agreement. things!" Miss Brown demurely to quiet him, Well hmro! know ficult for us to time this evening she was uncomfortably "Well." she asked, George obeyed. She C. compressed h!s lips. "A-- me lay this "what is It? aware of her unconventional costume. lingered, pursing her lips, smiling faintly, "Really, I dont want to know, while folded In of a a How about this? alt was the fatter "But who la this woman? before you. touch the He drew That millionaires hers sitting stole into. her page cheeks. Misa Brown swallowed down, a lump a newspaper from a breast pocket. "Ev, third man speaking. He waa It transpired, a From the boeora of her dress she drew Mr. Gentle. "I can get, you vaudeville "Mr. Gentle, If you that rose in her throat. ery week she has written us her address "It'a It's Madame Loupova," she Said, for the following week but always Gens "My dear, you got to listen! r 4 Ilka a crumpled letter which ahe spread out bookings in a minute. IU pay you well eral Delivery' in a new city. For in- to know who you think you are, anywayl on the desk and read slowly through. what do you say to two hundred and a and turned white. Hhe on was Madams who Lou in last half?" Then, suddenly holding It aloft, she What stance, Minneapolis week, While you're about It, why don't you lifted one foot, epun up on her toe, and St, Iaul the week before, and Kanwalk out front there and Insult ths presiearth? "Two hundred and a half?" whirled The Russian dancer. She's really a sas City before that. This week shes dent. Here's this Chicago millionaire "Two-f:ity- a gayly, exuberantly, and then week. And your railroad in Milwaukee. I've looked him up, I tell youl Ho fol- went dipping and spinning across the fares and hotel rooms. And a maid, if very dignified person a great artist,' room. "Indeed: and Columbus to lows you a a Indianapolis want one. name?" you Whats your ' Yes. And now look at this. Its and Akrqn and Detroit and Cleveland and At an extraordinary little gasp from "Oh, I couldnt tell you that! I I Five weeks , later George C. Battle from the New Yoik Times of Sunday. the doorway, Buffalo and Albany and Boston and she came down flat on her Hon't know that I could appear in public. called Mr. Elberforce his Jenkins at feet. Mr. Jenkins stood there. His fai e up C. spread out the newspaper page. I couldnt let people see me I will not Usten:' Miss homo on Lower Chestnut avenue and George was I "Dramatic on sheet. bv gray. it happened Brown was now in utter confusion. "You gotta! Youre going to bear if he might come to discuss an the meret chance Both stared. Mias . Brown felt her lie ran a thin what "But what's it all about then? What asked I've done about It." exceedingly important matter. Just cast your finger down a column. shaking. did you come hero for? she stared through the knees Frightened, C. was thin and subdued after on that! George He into tha room, and so nearstepped if wear I a could or mask. "Perhaps mask, weeks In hospital. Hi suit Was Mr. Jenkins read aloud as follows: forgot himself aa to push tho door Hess made up to me. We had a talk ly something of that sort I couldnt let many on elbows and - " a to worn smooth luster behind him. h see Thirty-fourtthem house Manhattan opera my face. And it I could get back. He wss the eort of Insignificant today, I tell you he'a a real swell. He The situation, was saved momentarily between Seventh and says you're too wonderful for this vaudeaway you see occasionally on early and Eighth street, by a sudden descent of tho blessed spirit avenues. Second Doubtless they thought her craxy. She figure ville triumphal game. Asked if you were married. of and suburban late trains mischief on Mies Brown. promptly if Madame asked month and were. she herself her like If he wouldnt fpel Her origiLoupova weakly Well, I asked Tm sure must have wanted your nal complete Russian ballet temples were hot. She felt that she must forget. putting up for a big show next year-p- lay letter back, you Miss HenIt's about my sister-in-larun off, hide, scream. Weill" Jendisnifled cried the Mr, a Broadway house. He Jumped at to him. bhe shs murmured, and gave It exclaimed this rietta Brown, and joined Miss slipped On Saturday his it! suburkins, hooked. But eve him he nearly evening Mr. Jenkins seated In Mr. Jenkinss spacious person, perfeot forgetting says Wombast at the outeroutdesk. got living ban composure, looked in at the public library. Mins room and "Well!" lie's got to meet you. So I told It was all of twenty minutes before lighting one of Mr. Jenkins's You get it. dont you" 'George C. " Brown, who had planned grimly to cal! cigars. Mr. Gentle he came out, and, bowing stiffly, left the was sajlng, excitedly. at his home on Sunday, asked for a word Loupnvas been Oh. Indeed? No trouble. I trust, "Now, Just you go It easy. Im only budding. there In New York! Henriettas with him. right for a a Mr. to him suits murmured call up bringing your Jenkins, exhibiting It was excitingly above all been fifteen hundred miles away from at eleven o'clock tomorrow "I've been wondering how to tell you morning. I'll else, so far on this pleasant mildly polite Interest. this. Mr. Jenkins delightful evening her, shooting all over the place!" she began. 1 have eome to you because we need !n room like. if the you to stay right about Mies go with Wombast mused Mr. has I .Its surprising," putting "Nothing unpleasant happened. With a breathless exclamation she the piles of returned books away, making My wife Is beside herself with Jenkins. pioet Just what did you wish ms rushed trust," said he with the composure that advice. e past him and ran up ths stairs out ths postcard notices of do about It, Mr. Battle? to had apparently never been ruffled. look- worry." C. felt that he should to her dressing room. The rest of the charges, switching off get to lights and locking see, here 'are you and I, ing down at her with an impersonally theGeorge worse a Mr. Jenkins did the"Well you a wss tho For fever, evening Her night was point quickly. to up. linand impulse men whov had any interest than sleepless horror. delay only gracious sort of kindness. look slightly surprised. ger, but she walked brightly home. In her. You were, tn a way. her emOh, no, Mr. Jenkins! And now that to Fhe see but knew "Mv her work them, refused gave ths At foot up' howfront the of steps, Mils Wonibast is better, it You see, ployer. Theres no telling the library last month, Mr. JenMr Jenkins brought a firm hand down they wojuld come. Bhe wore a tailored ever. she Stopped short. One of the parit has become necessary for me to earn in kins street suit, and put on the hat with the lor shades had not been drawn on the arm of hts chair. more money. And an unexpected chance quite She spoke to me. Yes, I remember. heavy veil hanging about her fare and down. A caller aat within. Shs tiptoed "The simple th'ng to do Is to go right head. has come to me, some interesting travWhoever he was, whatever his inI offered her a letter, and peeped. There he was Mr. Jenkins, to and find Milwaukee there up her. eling. I'm afraid I fatuation for the Masked Dancer, be was looking strangely grave, visiting with the "First, then, let me ask you did she "Yes Thats the thing!" "I'm sure we shall miss you very , Henrietta Brown. you whet she was planning to do? Betties. "Then if you can take tomorrow off, not to see much. Miss Brown." - He spoke with a tell"No, I believe she spoke of some InHer pulse fluttered. For a moment she They did come promptly. The maid I should be glad to drive you up there. "But If you feel that courtly precision. announced a with them, teresting traveling." respectfully clung to the porch railing; then, she 4 will better youraelf by making the a a a you C. nervshrewd with walked softly around to the garage and Georga spoke glancs' change, of course we would not wish to ous"Exactly! and that gentle- locked heroelf "She left us in the dark, In liis account to his wife of the scene "Its Mr. IGentle in. Tha air there was stand in your light. If you w1b(i, I will too emphasis. - mansion her sister and brother. man." but she dared not raise a shade. in the on musty, Impressivevou-Lower letter., give Indeed! on She "Really! C. turned Chestnut found himavenue, Geoige the desk light, looked with Her heart sank. Her depression deep"Oh, no," she cried, "I aha' n't need a "Pact' 8he she even m'sled us. self making more of an impression on the ened Into something near despondency. alien eyes at her old piles of work, unletter, thank you very much. It'a all aware you astonish me' of "Really, tired hitle woman than for a number of . . , Breathless, miserable, she moved the cold. . . . Then the knock arranged." "Don't I. though We my wife and I came, and aha had to let Mm In. He Into the parlor. years preceding. weakly To her sister, that evening, ahe ex- couldn't have been more astonished if No M iss Henrietta Brown was regisThey stood by the window. They was standing by the desk looking gravely plained: hs hesi tered at any of the pr'ncipal hotels you yourself, Mr. Jenkins of turned Mr. Gentle moved forward with down at her where ahe had sunk Into "Pm going away tomorrow." tated. the chair. Hla eyes burned in hollows. Milwaukee. General At the his oiliest smile. The other man Delivery Going a wav? "Miss Brown has always been so quiet window in the central poxtoffice no In- expectantly. It was Mr. Jenkins. turned "I cant accept thi letter." This she Ite all ngtu, mv dear. Youll have and conscientious. observed that and dimly understood. "It is formation could be gentleMias had, moment a Brown brief caught During Geoige at home again soon. I have a man somewhat hurriedly. "Has she What it comes down to, said Mr. swayed, fighting for breath. yours. Again I offer it to you. silently fled good position. For a while, until George disappeared" room as they sat over a late liw heon. Then, without a sound, The Jenkins danced about her the stove, shs into the gets back to" work, 141 send some money Worse than that?" the bookcases, the old talking machine. "Is to stay down there ip the postoflce bedroom and bolted ths door. every week "No! and watch." She awhile heard Twenty minutes later the maid came . I'm too herself saying: But what on earth, Henrietta! You ' Yes George C. was beginning to ento talk. Its all confused the other door, George C . who had no fur coat, had In from the mean the situation. "You see there has felt the cold during the long ride up, with a note. hail, through a joy atrange Ive been through so much. I decided not to consult with you. always been a side of Henriettas nature and was now She heard Mm Mr. sent been Jerkins "Hes saying: there, writing It, Youve had enough on your mind." that we couldn't quite get at And there him home onsneesing. an afternoon train: and she explained. sitting "I have been through everything. Out "But where are you going?" was something queer about the evenings himself stood near the general But she neglected to explain about the in that world I lost you. But now I find delivery "Traveling." she spent in her study locked in, mind window until 7 o'clock. By that time he bill that was crumpled tn her you here. "Where? was hungry again, and his feet hurt. He left hand. Then she: you. with a talking I cant talk sow All around the country. "Have you any knowledge as to whAe decided to stay overnight and continue It's all Her temples throbbed. Her eyes filled. Miss Brown Her fingers trembling, Is now? she right." on the morrow. Then ho had read a sfralghforward proposal of mar How how could they ever he and sho his vigil But what Is the Job? "Yes.. I'm getting at that. Her exdinner and drifted into a vaudeville ring. He told her, with the franknesstl t ni the possible bridge of words across Oh secretary. And companion." the gulf of confusion that yawned beplanation was that aha was going as sec- theater. of an emotional boy, his name, his finan"Who to? Henrietta, seems to retary to the Russian dancer. it Those few who had known Elberforce cial condition more. Indeed, than his tween them. Loupova." ' me if youre She would make an excellent secre- Jenkins twenty-fiv- e Then her heart .whispered brightly, earlier In know years found would until Sunbury neighbors Do you Now, do be quiet. think tary." mused Mr. Jenkins. "Steady, difficulty tn accepting him as the set. liis will should be read. And he didnt wonderfully, that it knew a way, Im not old enough to take care of myaccurate in matsmall he had much tied, so become. as know dignified figure her name! , 1911.) self? I appreciate the compliment." t ters " Back tn the middle eighteen-ninetieas The effect on Mjjjp Brown was that of (Printed by (Copyright, arrangement with MetropoliBut you havent even told me who "It's the only thing shs could do. a thin, suave youth, with (it was felt) utter tan Newspaper Service. New York.) panic. -- Macl-oude- you FEIBIBIIIG A TALE OF LIFE AND LOVE -- - ' t or , ee him" ove-du- sister-in-la- but" a set at Kitchens barn, and half an hour later the three men were shut up in the old harness room back of the office to talk tha venture over. Laramie made no effort to discourage John concerning the project; it had become s pet one with the big fellow; but be did not give the idea strong Indorsement. "Youre too blamed pessimistic, Jim," growled Lefever. No, John," protested Laramie evenly, " Im only trying to see things as they stand. Dont ftgure we are going to pull this thing without trouble. Harry Van Horn's got a good guess that Hawk la pretty well shot up, and that he's hiding out. He knows a man cant hide eut without friends. "I grant you that," Interruptedl ilohn, But If you can get him across theOCrazy Woman. Jim,- it's a cinch to run him Into town. Dont , figure that every mile of that road isnt watched, for It is. I ride It oftener than see plentef sign. And Harry you and knows what a rainy night means just as well as wa do. Hell be on the job witi his men ftve-doll- , ' - thats all Im saying. Now, go ahead. You want Hawk brougbt-lthats your business. Tm here to bring him in thats my business. n Shoot." Laramie and Lefever arranged things. Number Seventy-eight- , tha through fast freight, wquld be due to leave Sleepy Cat for idedlcine Bend at 4:32 in the morning. The Oraw were friendly. Could Laramie make it with Hawk, starting by midnight? He could.. It was Impossible to meet Laramie outaide town, because no ane could tell which trail he might have to choose to come in on. But Sawdy and Lefever could look for him out on the plateau at tha head of Fort Street. Henry Sawdy, his heavy mustaches sweeping his thick lips and his bloodshot eyes moving from one to the other of tho two faces before him, only stared and listened-- -, ' Why dont you say something, Henry? demanded Lefever exasperated. Sawdy turned a reproachful look on his lively partner: " When you're talking, John, there ain't no chance to say anything. When. Jim's talking I dont want to say anything." . i s, r Laramie ordered his horse, got into oilskins, and, riding out the back way of ths stable, started for the Falling Wall. The day wss spent and the rain had turned soft and misty. He rode fast and with a little watchfulness, exercised before reaching the Crazy Woman, satisfied himself that he had not been followed out of town. followed. the wind rising brought a heavier rain. The trail became increasingly difficult to follow; rough at beat, it was now almost impassable. Sheets of water trickled over stretches of rock, causing the horse to slip and flounder. In other places rivulets shooting out of crevices cut the loose earth from under the horse's feet. What had actually .happened was thaN the horse Anally resented being rode north not long after Kate herself started beaded into the driving rain and went forfor home. But Laramie followed old trails ward slipping, hesitating, and groping like out of town even at the price of rounding a man on hands and knees. fences and at times dodging through wire When Laramie got him to tha old bridge gates for short cuts. Night wss upon him the pony was all In. Laramie found shelwhen hs reached the bluffs of the creek. Beter for him under a ledge and, rifle in hand, tween showers the eky had lightened, but the , clambered along the side ef tha canyon tonorth.was everoast, and Laramie knew what ward tha abutment. Close to the engines to look forward to. When he had got up the t he set his rifle against ths rock, listened carelong hlU and reached tha northern bluffs it fully, as always, felt down at hla feet for the was raining steadily again and night had few chips of rock he had so placed that they spread ever mountain and valley. would ba disturbed if trodden by an enemy, listened again carefully, and, with his reAbating something of his usual precaution in riding to reach Hawk's hiding place, Larj-m- i volver cocked In bis right hand and the went slowly' into the bad lands by a muzzle lying across his left forearm, Lara-ml- e routa less dangerous than that he usually slowly zigzagged his way to tha Inside, Leg-tire- As the night deepened, Once there, he stood perfectly still In the darkness and called a greeting to Hawk. He failed to receive tha usual gruff answsr. This nsver before had happened, and, without trying for a light, Laramie moved slowly and with much caution over to the reoese within which Hawk lay. There he could hear the cowboys labored but regular breathing aa ha slept. The storm, waking tha water ererlces of the mountains Into ft noisy chorus, had lulled tho bunted man into an Untroubled sleep. Laramie shook his oilskins in a heap on tha floor, cautiously lighted a candle, and set it an the board that served as a table. In spite of his slickers he was wet through. Ho hung his hat on tho end of a broken timber and laid bis revolver beside the candle. Bethinking himself, however, of bis rifle, be again, stepped outpicked up the side the entrance, brought in his rifle, wiped It, stood it in a convenient corner, and turfted toward. HSwk. To be continued. 1 iy Copyright: . 192X: By Freak B, SrarailJv . |