The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-01
Stories of an Inland State.

The mysterious stranger who had pre-
ceded Joey's father up the country road
finally stopped and looked about him sharp
ly and raised his tall silk hat in gesture
of elaboration common to all men who af-
feet silk hats.
He must have walked five miles. He
was sure he had walked five miles. He took
out his watch and struck a match. He
had been walking one hour and twenty min
utes He had made. certainly. an hour every
twenty minutes. Had he gone more than
five miles? He feared that. He wanted
to strike Peter wattles' house without dis
turbing Peters neighbors. 1t was five
miles out from town on the northeast cor
nsr where the section roads crossed"
He walked on and by the feel of the dust
under his feet detected the much-traveied
section road. He picked out the north star
and determined the direction Of Peter Wat
ties home He then struck in. He might
as well be done with II. II he struck one
of Peters neighbors he could not help II,
and must make the best Of it.
He walked slowly up to a black hulk In
the night ard felt about. and finding the
door raped loudly.
1T Is pleasant to live in the country,
unused Mr. Dick Thomas, for such was the
mysterious strangers name-"and breathe
the ravishing aroma Of the delicate flowers
land, heavens-how they sleep, these far
mers"
He turned quickly and peered sharply be-
hind him, out into the night
I'm nervous tonight" he thought. Since
ran across that young fellow in the road
I've had q sense Of being followed-a sort
of telepathic action on my EverIOho,
they're moving inside. the sloths. Now old
Peter is hunting for a shoe. or cussing be-
cause he can't put his hand on a match
There! Down he went over a chair!"
He glanced back again into the night. He
bad heard nothing. He could see nothing
But he felt he had been followed. A hun
sred yards away. STOPPING behind fence
was old John Wright dimly watching this
mysterious stranger. John Wright had fob
lowed his hired man. joey, down the coun-
Try road To say the least Joey's actions
we're suspicious. What had q farm hand
to do out on a night like this? Wright had
heard OF Joey's Sunday experience with the
beautiful visitor at Matkins'. Could IT De
an intrigue? Well he would see. so he
followed Joey down the country road. joey
had met some one at the corner Of the
road and Wright had heard voices:
IF keep right on will I find Fairview;
is this the Fairview road?"
Eyes. Keep right on This in Joey's
voice.
This was a mystery. A stranger was
coming towards him. John Wright crept
near the edge of the hedge and stretched
himself in its shadow. The stranger pass
ed him, replacing a revolver beneath his
coat-ta;l AS the movements OF the hgure
we're not obscured entirely by the darkness,
John Wright could distinguish that much.
The stranger was well-dressed.
What did this stranger want on coun-
try road at night? Why was he crossing
| to Fairview? John Wright forgot joey
and turned to the stranger and followed
him, straining his eyes to keep the moving
smudge in the starlight In view.
Peter Wattles came to the door, there
was q mumbling interchange, a short ex-
clamation in Peters voice. then the door
closed on the two men. John Wright crepi
| up to the house and around to an open VIM
| dow and crouched there.
He could not see the strangers face. but
| he heard distinctly his words.
"Well Dick Thomas" said Peter. You
| are just like your pa. and I'd a-known you
| was his among thousand.
| Dick smiled He was a tall, graceful
man Of thirty, with fine blue eyes and a
mouth which closed tightly. his thin lips
giving him the appearance Of great cum
! ming. His cheeks were fair with a ribbon
| OF color across them. He was dressed al
most foppily and he passed out cigar to
Peter with an easy circling movement Of his
| arm:
i've QUIT" said Peter. II don't smoke
| any more, although used to like the re-
mains of a burned flour mill"
See here" said the young man drawing
his chair nearer. I've heard you joined
| the church, Peter. What about that?'
That's true" said Peter.
ITS a guy, of course said the young
man turning his cigar around in has mouth
and squirting his blue eyes reiect.vely
cit is not a guy" said Peter Indignantly.
1--WE really joined
| "Ah. Peter. 1 fear you would deceive
me together with q silly. unsuspectins
| world
young man." said Peter. IT don't know
what YOU are doing but II you are taking
latter YOUR father and Peter Watties OIL
wore let me warn you that you are ON
msnsard grade and if you don't TIap your
legs around the first thing you come te
| and hold on there won't be enough LETT OF
you when you strike The bottom to wad
/ srnall-bore rifle.
II am told that you read the 6loiei
| Peter?''
.'who told you that?"
4 "Axton." -,
! "Axton. the sinner Why say. they'll
nut new nues on the furnace down oeio"
when Axiom arrives. A common pia3t
| wouldn't faize him"
..See here. Peter" said the young man
Are you the only one in the house,"
eyes said Peter growing grave.
| "I.m in trouble. ePter." said the young
man with forced ease. And I want your
| help
| Good or bad?'
"Your good help II you please. the oes'
| you have"
| .~You don't understand me-do you expec'
u,s to be vile and vicious. or Anseac aho
tChrist.an- like in what / do?'
| II hadn't thought of that" said The Other
| smiling. II wish you could smoke. cou'o
| talk 10 you better
"On the principe OF en1cins q good man
from the straight and narrow cow-uacks
| of rect,tude-putt!ng an enemy IN ms
| mouth 70 puff away my Drains a1o Uie1
| take advantage Of me
"Hark ye,' said the young man oend'he
over ard whispering. Il have business with
| YOU. Peter Wat;les. Of gravity and mo-
| men, and I have not the whole night
| mus, deal quickly. You knew my fa,nei
and YOU know VIVA: training isl have fol-
| loved In his foot-steps-aow you know.
He paused for breath but continued m
.,e,!ately: You know I do not come hers
| IN the night ike thief with asking you
20 pray for me- have Other business on
| hand. which win be Of value TO you II yor