The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1896-11-19
XI.-CoNTINUrp.

Xl.-CoNTINUED.
The ride back TO Rodneytown was
hardly as pleasant as the first half Of the
trip had been, for both of us were in
clined to taciturnity. Miss Gray doubt
less was busy with thoughts of hcraunt,
while Tor Inc the afternoon was spoiled
by Carpenters tidings. IL had been n
luxury to forget the house on the knoll,
if only for an hour or two, and here was
this news, very probably of no moment.
yet enough to remind me of my thrall-
dom, to drag me back TO a realization of
the fact that Lamar had the first claim
upon me. OF course, he would have to
be told of the incident of The suspicious
stranger, aGd told IT once, with the pos
sibility quite within reason that he
would decide to seek a new asylum
without delay. In that case l might
find myself bidding Mrs. Loring and her
niece an unceemonious adicu, or
might be left behind with my c.iicr
source of revenue cut Off In either
event | should be "a heavy loser. And,
worst of all. l could devise no way in
which to shake off my helplessness. A
hint as to the identity of the stranger
had suggested itself as soon as Carpen-
ter attempted to portray the man. So
far as it went, his description fitted the
new farmhand-just as it probably fit
ted half the tramps in that region.
While the story threw suspicion upon
the fellows motives, and might prove
most useful as warning, it was not, of
course, in itself sufficient to warrant a
demand tsr his discharge. The out
come of all of these unsatisfactory re-
Elections was determination TO lay the
matter before the person most interest
ed, and to abide wholly by his judg-
ment.
Early in the evening, anxious to be
done with bad business as speedily us
possible, l visited lamar and told him
all | had heard or surmised. He listened
TO the story with the closest attention,
asked few questions as 10 the appear
ance of the man under suspicion, and
then, putting calmly on his eternal
cigar, sat in silence for several mo-
ments, seemingly undistulb bed by the
possibility of new complication in mis-
affairs.
WELL" said I, at last, nc longer able
TO restrain the question, what are we
to do?"
'For the present--noth.ng AS it is
said: 'Forewarned is forearmed.'
"But this uncertainty must be cleared
up. You know better than | can why
this man may have come here, provided
of course, that he has any designs upon
you. It's all theory, you understand
but it is strange that he should be work.
ing for Mrs. West a at very low wages
unless he has som" particular reason
for desiring to be in this ncighborhood
Were employment his only object, he
could do far better in the village. Th,
more l think it over, the palmer it seems
he wants to be where he can keep an eye
on this house."
at is probable"
"Then," said /, puzzled by his indif
ference, cant something be done Il
checkmate him?'
1T is not necessary. lie is of thi'
country?"
AT least, I'll warrant English is hi,
native tongue"
THE case, then, is simple. He labor'
under mistnke."
but even that mistake may cause
trouble" protested.
For the present, not ct all. In the
end, it is possible" he answered, al
coolly as if the matter was of slight con
cern.
"What are your directions?" asked
still by no means satisfied with his phil
osopbical view of the case.
"Observe him well, study him as yol
choose, but do not attempt to disturb
him. These things will suffice. Ever
if he intrudes here, there is no cause fol
alarm; he shall be suitably received"
And with one of his grim smiles. La
mar bade me good night.