Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-11-19

could do far better in the village. The
more I think it over, the plainer it seems
he wants to be where he cau keep an eye
on this house,
sIt is probable
.sThen," said I, puzzled by his indif-
ference, s'can't something be done to
checkmate him?''
cit is not necessary. he is of this
country?'
"At least, I'll warrant English is his
native tongue"
1.-THE case, then. is simple He labors
under mistnke."
sBut even that mistake may cause
trouble I protested.
For the present, not ct all. In the
end, it is possible" he answered, as
coolly as if the matter was of slight con-
Germ.
.'What are your directions?'' asked,
still by no means satisfied with his phil
osophical view of the case.
"Observe him well, study him as you
choose, but do not attempt to disturb
him. These things will suffice. Even
if he intrudes here, there is no cause for
alarm; he shall be suitably received"
And with one of his grim smiles, La
mar babe me good night.
Hiram Jones, tramp, farm laborer,
busybody, detective, or whatever he
might be, furnished for month my
principal cause for anxiety. Lamar's
Indifference to the mans doings was
more than ] could explain to my own
satisfaction; for, if the owner of the
house ON the knoll had reason to fear
any great peril, how was it that he
could hear SO calmly tidings which in
Dictated at least that he was under sur
VIGILANCE? It was as if a willy old fox,
after a long run from the hunter,
should sit contentedly watching a stray
hound circling about him. instead of
retreating post-haste out of danger.
There was certainly the argument that
lamar should know very well the par
ticular point from which he was men
aced, and the character Of the agents
likely to be employed against him;
but could not find it convincing.
Greatly as I disliked him, his apathy
fretted me. Even enemies, when fate
makes them partners, can generally
be counted upon to cooperate to win
the game. Now, here was I, quite
ready to do my best to beat our mys-
terious opponents, yet hampered, or
at least discouraged, by the indiffer
ence of the player whose stakes were
hazarded upon the result. The situa-
ton seemed to be entirely false.
If Jones was spy, in turn diligent-
ly played the spy upon him. No time
was lost in confirming his identity with
that of the man who had aroused Car
penter's suspicious, a result easily ac-
complished by bringing the horse-deal
er on pretended errand to Rodney
town and having Jones at work near
the house as he drove by. After this
preliminary, I devoted many hours to
watching Mrs. Weston's retainer, with
out getting much reward for my pains.
The man went about his various tasks
in the most matter-of-fact fashion, ap-
parently concerned in nothing beyond
them. I had expected that as soon
as he learned of my daily visits to the
house on the knoll he would attempt
to question me about it's occupant; but
not once did he display interest in my
hermit patient. In short, the only new
ground given for my suspicious was
furnished by a habit he developed of
solitary strolls about the neighborhood
when evening put an end to his work
on the farm. A little of his grufness
had worn off, and, barring this liking
for lonely rambles, there was nothing
to distinguish him from the other la
borers of the vicinity. Lamar listened
patiently to the reports of my observa-
tions. which appeared to increase his
belief that there was no cause for i'm
mediate alarm, though he still neglect
ed to give the reasons for his convic-
ton. It may be that, undisturbed rs
he was in his own mind, he was salts
fled to have me maintain vigilance.
After all, it was not to be denied that
standing guard was part of the business
for which he paid me.
But the month was q pleasant one,
except for Jones and the worries he
created. Mrs. Loring was doing sur
prisingly well. Nobody could have ex-
pected her to regard herself as any
thing but confirmed invalid, but with
increasing frequency she was enjoying
intervals of oblivion to the fact that
she supposed herself to be a sufferer.
She took her harmless doses with clock
work regularity, and there was not one
of the directions given her which was
not carried out with scientific accuracy.
Simple food, good air, undisturbed
S1eeD and frif1eS enough tn keen her