Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-07-09

degrees Lamar had gained an ascenden-
cy over me, until now, even as I cursed
him, | recoiled at the very thought of
boarding him, of daring to pit myself
against his relentless will. Moreover,
/ realized that within the last few
months a fresh reason for caution had
sprung into existence. They say love
makes men brave; know 1t sometimes
makes them towards.
When 1 approached the farmhouse,
still bitterly considering the difficulties
which seemed TO hedge me about, Mrs.
Weston appeared in the doorway.
I've got a message for you,' she
called out. "Your birds flown
What? Not Jones? He can't be
moved" cried.
NO, he's here fast enough. DIR.
Banks has called, and says he's doin'
well; no more fever than to be looked
for. But he's got something to do with
my news"
What in the world is it, them
Mis- Loring has gone chasin' of to
Trent, takin' Miss Gray with her for
luck"
"Gone TO Trent?" repeated. How
is that?"
We'll, she got up this mornin', an
dropped in to see Jones. Somebody told
her that his pillows was kinder hot for
him. Then there was nothin' but
she must go to Trent right off and buy
him one of them kind that's got only
air in 'em. An SO, off she goes, an
Miss Gray goes too. They'll be home in
time for supper. Johnny druv EN- to
BASKERVILLE in the carryall, and he'll
wait to bring 'em home"
"Oh, the outing will do Mrs. Loring
no HARM" said 1, moving toward the
Office.
But that amt the message" said
/ Mrs Weston. That's saved for the
last, like q thanksgivin' mince-pie. It's
from Miss Gray, and it's about a boat" ;"
"Yes. She was to look at one this
afternoon"
"Well, bein' as she's In Trent, she can't
| keep the appointment. So she asked
me to tell you TO hire the boat anyhow;
if it suited you, it'd suit her"
Thus it happened that when John
son navigated his craft to the head of
the inlet was prepared to bind the bar
gain with him.
1T may be-" 1 told him, that the
ladies would safer IL they had a man
with them when they ventured out on
the bay. In that case, could you help
them out?"
"I guess 1 could" said he, after a
moments reflection. Most general
ly I'm off watch the best part of the
day"
"Of watch" set me to thinking,
though very well knew to what he
referred.
"By the way, Johnson" said I, with
an effort at carelessness, 81 understand
you look out for Mr.. Lamar's mail
"WelI, you might say So" he an
swered, cautiously.
81 imagine his correspondence is
light" said I. following up the advan-
tage scored by the chance shot.
He nodded assent.
Writes to New York, as a rule" L
suggested.
That's about It,"
But his answers are slow In COM
ing"
1.-TWO months, sometimes" said John
son. Look here, Doc" he added,
quickly, 81 know you're thick with
him, or wouldn't have said that much.
1t don't go no further, doit?
II give you my word on that" said
/, adding, rather disingenuously, Il
wouldn't have asked you anything you
were not free to tell me-"
That's what I thought" he said,
with a look of relief on his honest face.
Cabs a poor trade,-leastways for a
man"
Right you are" said 1, and with
this bit of wisdom We dropped the
subject. However, had learned
| enough for q basis for a little calcula-
| ton. Lamar was communicating with
friends at home, through the kindly
Offices of somebody In New York. His
correspondents forwarded their replies
| through the same channel of the New
| Yorker and the fisherman. No doubt
they sent him information bearing on
the energy with which his enemies were
pursuing him. Very possibly they had
means of their own for getting an
inklinR of their advefsaries' doiDgs. 1t
could be set down as certain that they
furnished the money which Lamar
spent, on occasion, with liberal hand.
After all, though, this theorizing was
cropping In the dark. 1t furnished no
clew to the mans mystery; it assured
| ly gave me no cause to hate him the
less or to trust in the stability of my
tenure of Office in his service. Imerely
had proof now, as 1 suspected, that he
did not depend entirely upon me in any
of his dealings with the rest OF the
world He evidently believed in checks
and safeguards; and through johnson
he had secured check upon me