Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-06-14

and the bed if it worn't for the hard tonnes
and the CROWN family, but it's matther
Of sivin-and-a-quarther the day, and only
the bit of Il bag wild tramp's wardrobe for
security, which amt worth the half of it.
Will the gintlcman pay"
Help the poor fellow in. l will pay you
the arrears" said Norris, plying the
friendless condition of his charge. The
latter had sunk into a state of collapse at
the appearance Of his landlord. He scarce
~ seemed to hear what was being said a.
he leaned, weak and dizzy, against the
door-framc. Mr. Maloney put his head into
the saloon.
"TOm, come here, will We. Give Us a
hand. This way, sir; We shall see the ille-
CANT 'commodationS yer frind has wild nc.
Is it dhrunk he is. the craythur-and him
nivcr to spind nickel in me house for the
beer aither, the rogue!"
Norris fastened to explain as he followed
the two men who helped Millerup the stairs
between them. He gave one look at the
bleak and dismal room they entered, dimly
shown by the splttering tallow candle the
landlord had procured.
g This will never do" said he. dccisively.
The man must have fire and care. Do the
best You can with this. Give him bcef-tea,
plenty of it, and unless he improves speed
ily, advise you to send for doctor. /
shall call to see the sort Of treatment you
give him." he added, meaningly.
''Sure, yer honor, I'll do me BEST" prom
ised Maloncy, lovingly lingering the bill
which Norris had placed in his hand. Eyer
honor can't blame a man for loOsin' after
his own. If yer honor'S the friend he was
loOkin' for. yen may be know why he's
liapin' shady, and the bit of boord noways
pays me for the risks / take, belize gettin'
a bad name to me house now. But I'll do
the best for him If yer honor says So" and
leaving the room the next moment he could
be heard shouting his instructions to some
invisible person below. In the interval of
his absence Norris went up to the bedside
to take leave of Miller.
IF you have any friend whom you can
call to your aid, you had better do so. l
greatly fear that yo.l are going to be i'll;
you will need care, watchfulncss. long nurs-
ing. perhaps. BY all means, send for your
friend. Give me his address and l will
write to him in your behalf"
A WiStful, doubtful shade lowered over
the face of the man for moment.
''I-thank yol," he said, hesitatingly.
YOu-prOmisel-to come again. If there
is need then, win tell you. l can't think
now"
With that Norris was forced to be con-
tented. \ boy had appeared in response 20
MalOney's summons, and tn" light flame of
the kindiing he brought was curling up the
black chimney when the young man de-
parted.
The door Of the bar-room was ajar as he
passed through the hall below. The place
was full of hard-loOlling characters who
were smoking and drinking, while the clat-
ter of dishes came from an eating-rOo.l en-
the other side. At the same instant the
man called Tom, who had helped in convey
ing Miller up the stairs, swung the door
open and backed out.
"Mind yOu, if tho cops git you agn,
won't help You out" he WAS saying in gut
tura!. disguised tones. Il should think the
last time cost You steep enough. and even a
big II mayn't sit sou of again. What in
thunder brought you back, anyhow!'
The answer did not reach Norris ear, but
he had one fleeing glimpse Of the face Of
the man who spoke it-a face that was ia
miliar to him, wnich sent thrill to his very
inger-tips.
1t was the burglar with whom he had
fought his battle il the Chlldsr home, who
had forfeited his bond, secured by funds
stolen from the express company, which,
being identified beyond doubt by the right
full owner, had been restored to him, and
the authorities were left in u hurlor to make
short work of Abraham Stone, should he
fall into their hands again.
Abraham Stone was here in Mike Ma
loney's place, and Norris, who had the
deepest personal interest in his rccapture, |
had recognized him at glance under the |
thin disguise he wore. The latter, how |
ever, realized that it would not do to raise |
an alarm there S:ngle-hande1. he would |
have Little chance in that resort of thieves |
and desperate men. as he correctly guessed |
it to be. Re passed quietly out, and, cross
ing the street, took Up q position where he |
could watch both entrances, undecided |
what to do. Should he leave his post to |
summon the police, Stone might make his |
escape.
Indeed, the two men came out into the |
street, and remained standing in the light |
which streamed through the open doorway. |
A Liird figure was approaching, at which |
Norris scarcely gave q glance, until he /
paused beside the other two. Greetings were |
exchanged, the newcomer shook hands with |
both. and then the three turned within.
while al the Thrill and eagerness brought |
By his former discovery died out IN the
heart Of the watcher before the new reve
ation-for the third man was kvmas
Childcr.
no e CONTINUAL