The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-10-02
CHAPTER III.

shamefacedly. The grotesque blunder
of being taken as fugitive from JUS
tice relieved Clarence's mind from its
acute tension, he was momentarily di
verted, and it was not until the boat
man had departed and he was again
alone that it seemed to have any COL
lateral significance.
Then an uneasy recollection Of Susy's
threat that she had the power to put
his wife in Fort Alcatrez came across
him.
Could she have already warned the
municipal authorities, and this man
but he quickly remembered any action
from such a warning could only have
been taken by the United States
marshal, and not by civic official, and
dismissed the idea.
Nevertheless, when the stage with its
half-spcnt lamps still burning dimly
against the morning light swept round
the curve and rolled heavily up to the
flee, he became watchful.
A single yawning individual in its
doorway received few letters and par
cells, but Clarence was evidently the
only waiting passenger. Any hope that
he might have entertained that his mys-
terious predecessor would emerge from
some seclusion at that moment, was
disappointed.
AS he entered the coach he made q
rapid survey of his fellow-travelers, but
satisfied himself that the stranger was
not among them. They were mainly
small traders or farmers, a miner or
two, and apparently a Spanish-Amer-
lean of better degree and personality.
Possibly the circumstance that men
of this class usually preferred to travel
on horseback and were rarely seen in
public conveyances attracted his atten-
ton, and their eyes met more than once
in mutual curiosity.
Presently Clarence addressed re-
mark to him in Spanish. He replied flu
emily and courteously, but at the next
stopping place he asked question of
the eXpress1han IN an unmistakable
Missouri accent.
Clarence'S curiosity was satisfied; he
was evidently one of those early Amer
lean settlers who had been so long domi-
ciled in southern California as to adopt
the speech as we'll as the habiliments
of the Spaniard. ,
The conversation fell upon the politi-
cal news of the previous night, or rather
seemed to be iazily continued from
some previous more exciting discussion,
in which one of the contestants, red
bearded miner, had subsidized into an oc-
casional growl of surly dissent.
1t struck Clarence that the Missourian
had been an amused auditor, and even,
judging from twinkle in his eye, a
mischievous instigator of the contro-
Hersy. He was not surprised, therefore,
when the man turned to him with q
certain courtesy and said:
And what, sir, is the political feeling
in your district?''
But Clarence was in no mood to be
drawn, and replied, almost CURLY, that
as he had come only from San Francis
co, they were probably as well informed
on that subject as himself.
A quick and searching glance from
the strangers eyes made him regret it,
but in the silence that ensued the red
bearded passenger. evidently still rank
ling at heart. saw his opportunity.
Shaping his huge hands on his knees,
and leaned far forward, until he
seemed to plunge his flaming beard
like a firebrand-into the controversy,
he said grimly:
well, kin tell you genTmen this.
1t amt goin' to be no matter wot's the
political feeling here or thar-it amt
goin' to be no matter wot's states
rights and wot's fed'ral rights-it amt
goin' to be no question whether the
gov'ment's got the right to relieve it's
own soldiers that those secesh is be-
sieging in Fort Sumter, or whether
they haven't-but the first gun that's
fired at the flag blows the chains of
every blamed bigger south of Mason
and DiXon's line! You hear me! I'm
shoutin'! And whether you call your
selves 'secesh,' or union or copper
head or peace men, you got to face it,"
There was an angry start in one or
two of the seats; one man caught at
the swinging side strap and half rose,
husky voice began: Its confound-
ed" and then all as suddenly sub
sided.
Every eye was turned to an insignif-
cant figure in the back seat. It was q
woman holding child on her lap and
gazing out of the window with her
sex's profound unconcern in politics.
Clarence understood the rude chiv-
airy of the road well enough to compre-
bend that this unconscious but omnipo-
tent figure had, more than once that
day, controlled the passions of the dis
putants. They dropped back weakly
to their seats, and their mutterings
rolled OF In the rattle Of the wheels.
Clarence glanced at the Missourian.
Hewas regardingt the red-bearded miner
with a singular curiosity.
The rain had ceased, but the after
noon shadows were deepening when
they at last reached Fair Plains, when
Clarence expected to take horse to the
rancho. He was astonished, however.
to learn that all the horses in the stable
were engaged. but remembering that |
some of his own stock were in pastur-
age with tenant at Fair Plains, and |
that he should probably have better
selection. he turned his steps thither.
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