Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-04-19

even pocket knife, The other man
had entered and closed the door behind
him, standing With his back to 1t. He
was short and rather stout, ana his
head sat almost upon his shoulders,
HIS heavy nose and mouth bespoke an
OBSTINATE but not particularly lima
Wred temperament, Ills eyes were
sunken in his head, but Rhoda could
see that they were black and singuIarly
sharp in their expression, The feet or
the man protruded from his SHOES and
his clothes We're In ragged and filthy
state, lie took his hat from his head
and dashed the moisture from It.
7 guess yer givin house wamin'.
am We he asked, smiling In as reas-
surfing a manner rs possible. i've
oeen ieSstn II fer eighteen hours, and
m tit to drop"
khoda would never have encountered
ait OF these emharrassments which had
made him an outcast IL he had not been
OF whimsical temperament, Now.
suddenly, his fear deserted him ue
desired an adventure, Ii certainly had
been devoid of adventure In the place
ct his residence for the last two years
lie held out his hand,
come In said he There are two
chairs and fire enough for forty. II ia
pity | cannot give you something to
cat and drink"
| lie was smiling, and actually, for a
moment n glow went through him like
that which comes from the exercise OF
hospitality, Tho other man advanced
almost iauntily
Well, call this whitel" he said In
communication, You're n gentleman.
| ken see that, Il YOU are down on your
luck"
Don't speak OF that, please" said
Rhoda lightly Il was Just making up
my mind to forget 1t for time"
EN- Well that's good Idee.
something to eat and drink, did ,eh
say Man, I've got III"
MOI"
Here yeh are" He took two slices
of dried bread out OF his pocket,
That's the eatin'."
lie produced flask In which there
was, perhaps, four mouthfuls of amber
liquid
And that's Tho drlnkn', and there
might be more"
We can 'oast tho bread" suggested
hhoda His guest drew formidable
Knife from his pocket and opened its
one terrible blade slowly, Rhoda
smiled with infanttle grace and seated
himself cross-legged before the fire,
He was not entirely sure OF the purpose
OF that nnsheathing OF the weapon.
but he determined to make light OF Il.
However he had apparently no cause
Tor app ahenslon, His companion
stuck slice OF bread on the point OF
the blade and held IL up before the fire
III smells good, remarked Rhoda.
\ wish To heaven there was smell OF
hot coffee going with It,"
The other man looked penslvely into
tho fire.
Yes he said relleetively. Il wish
So too. He got to the second slice OF
bread and toasted II to warm brown
Then they began to cat It was quito
q ceremony. The men talked or going
to climate whore there was no winter.
ana they were truly magnificent. No
one listening would have doubted their
ABILITY to Visit such a place If they had
pleased. Afterward they made the Ara
safe and laid down with their feet to-
ward the glowing ashes and slept.
Maybe III be when wake up and
maybe won't, thought Rhoda humor-
onsly ms sleep came over him. But 1t
doesn't matter, really That knife,
however, Is an ugly sleeping compan-
Ion. dare say ! shall know more
about II by morning than | do now"
He fell asleep easily for all OF that.
aud he dreamt OF walking under palms
with the man by his side, and of sailing
with him over summer seas Ho
dreamt OF fighting by his side, and OF
struggling to defend him from danger;
and then, suddenly, he sat up and saw
the dawn peepng about the edges OF
the curtain.
So the knife isn't In me. after ALL"
he commented. and looked about for
his companion. But no was no to be
found. Tho room was unoccupled save
by himself lnstinctively he felt for
his money. II was safe. And on the
floor by his side lay the knife. Rhoda
lifted II and stared at 1t stupidity.
Then, by degrees, the Significance OF
u came over him. II was gift for re-
membranee, and all that It's owner had
to bestow. II was the first evidence OF
friendship that the man who held Ii In
his trembling hand had received for
years. Something that he had thought
dead stirred In him. He put the gift
In his pocket and arose to his feet.
Obscurely II came across him that 10
HOyDitatffy had bnap mnrIh o,hI1a H.