Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-02
BENEDICT GORDON.
BI REVERE RODGERS.
written Tor The suNDAY cLona. ]
CHAPTER XVIII.

HAS Saunders been around tonight
motheri" The speaker was the surly
brute Ross. The scene Mother Riders
domicile, with that estimable person her
self very much In evidence as she rocked
back and forth in huge, old-fashioued
chair, while regarding his questions search
ingly at the same time.
"He was around earlier ia the evening"
replied the woman quietly AT least Alice
said he was wasn't here at the time,
she added, still with her piercing black
eyes fixed upon the rough, coarse features
Of the man before her
Seems to have good deal to say to
Allie, don't he2' inquired Ross sneeringly
as be seated himself.
Aud Is that any crime, Buddy3" sharply
cried the woman as she made a sudden mo-
tiou as if to arise from her chair
II don't know whether it is or whether
il amt" answered Ross with a short
laugh, "and what's more" he added Il
don't care a d."
But you spoke, you know Buddy" an
swered the woman, assuming a soft wheed-
ling manner and drawing her unwieldy
rocking chair nearer to the man, as II there
was something wrong about Mr. Saunders
noticing Allie so particularly"
what did say bout EN-, blurted out
Ross, eyeing the woman savagely.
You didn't say nothing wrong about
them Buddy" replied the woman, still
trying 10 calm the ruffian's arising ire. T
! might have construed your remarks diff
feTently from what you Intended"
We'll then letup about Il, replied Ross.
'"Taint such a d-u interesting subject
that you intend spending the whole night
gabbing about it, is III"
II am sure / don't wish to make Mr..
Saunders or Allie the subject for an argu-
ment, Buddy" replied the woman, still
scanning eagerly the features Of the rufhan
seated before her as il seeking for informa
tion or for SOME motive the man may have
had in using the sueering tone and the
manner in which he had coupled Saunders
and the girls name together.
well then don't" briefly and savagely
replied Ross. TO change the subject,
how's things going with you?" he asked.
Poorly enough Bud" answered the
woman. What with one thing and an
other it's weary struggle to make an
honest living"
To make what kind of living2" blurted
out Ross pausing In the act of expectorating
into the fireplace, and gazing sullenly at the
woman with an evil CLEAN in his wicked
eyes.
"Oh, well, we needn't cut It too fine
Buddy, answered the woman Il said an
honest living which is the kind of living
the neighbors all about here thinks make
anyway"
"OhW said Ross, apparently somewhat
Modified II thought you'd turned psalm
singer and was growing about your
honesty, an what I says is don't crow, he
added
DO you think it is probable after all these
years, that would turn psalm singer at
this late day Budf' quietly returned the
woman as she folded her hands in her lap
and calmly awaited the burly ruf6au' g reply.
Stranger things than that have happened"
answered Ross, and you can never tell
when or where woman will pull up when
she once gets on the religious tack; although
| expect that you know your little book a
d-n sight better than to mix with the
preaching class" he added shifting his
chair about so as to bring him directly face
face to face with the woman
I suppose know my book, as you call
il, Buddy, as we'll as the next person that
follows my line of business" replied the
woman 'and it is we'll for all Of us, per-
haps, that do know 1t, she added
active step was heard ascending the stairs,
and in a moment Saunders had burst into
the room. The woman aud the man had
both arisen hurriedly from their seats at
the FIRST sound of Saunders footsteps but
becoming reassured upon the sight Of that
person himself, they reseated themselves,
at the same time bestowing a nod Of recog-
milton upon that individual.
Ross greeting to the fellow was merely
surlY ducking OF the head that of the woman
a low, deferential courtsey, in which was
blended a certain degree Of hateur, strongly
at variance with her usually smooth oily
manner Of receiving visitors.
Il was here once before tonight to see
you, Ross" said Saunders. when he had
seated himself in the chair proffered by
Mother Rider
so I heard, drily responded Ross
Must have been very particular" sneered
he, Ito have brung you back again.
If 1t wasn't" answered Saunders, you
may be sure that you would not have the
pleasure OF my company at this time of
night"
Il don't call this very late" SAID the
woman, glanciug searchingly at the speaker,
who in immaculate dress, lolled careiessly
in his easy chair
Ou, wasn't referring 70 the lateness OF
the hour" yawned Saunders; II merely in
tended to convey to my friend Ross here
that left the gay and festive halls pur-
posely to cotne down here and see him on a
matter Of Importance"
Seeing that you two want to talk busi-
ness / will take myself off, said the
woman as she arose from her seat, and
after giving each of the men in turn a rapid
searching glance, as if trying to read their
most secret thoughts, she noiseiessly opened
the door and went out into the hallway.
No sooner had the door closed behind
Mother Rider than Saunders arose noise
lessly from his chair and tip-toed over to
the keyhole, where, first applying his ear
to ascertain, If possible If there was any
one on tue other side listening, and appar-
emily becoming satisfied that there was no
one eavesdropping, he resumed his seat,
which directly faced the chair occupied by
Ross, and, placing one hand upon that surly
brute's knee he said; II suppose Ross,
that you are ready to talk business2"
Providing that il Is business Of some
account p answered Ross sulleniy