The Bourbon news., 1902-10-28

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all his questioning, he could not be
connected with the police.
His opinions Of the stranger who
had paid so well in the first instance
were rather marred when the guests
luggage appeared from the depot.
1t consisted of very small valise
that might have contained a dolls
wardrobe.
Il should like TO have it taken up
to my room," said Hendricks.
aye might manage to carry it up
yerself," was the testy remark of
the landlord, as visions of default
ing bOarder rose before him.
Hendricks snatched the satchel
out of the hands of che little darky
and turned toward the stairs.
"You can find your way up, I
hopes" said BowersOx, who was be-
ginning to think that he had treated
his guest in very unfriendly man
ner.
"Wel, know the number, and
you say that the room is open," re-
torted Hendricks.
'But let me show you"
81 don't want to take you away
from your business" and the one
guest of the house disappeared.
Peter returned to his work of pol
ishing glasses, not quite able to make
out whether he had been insulted or
not.
Job Hendricks, when he found him
self alone in the hall, laughed softly
to himself and wagged his gray head
sagely.
"They are all alike the world over"
he muttered. ''The sight of my
money tickled him, but when the bag
gage arrived he sings another song.
Well, it is rather scant provision for
a traveller" looking at the little va
lise Us he held it at arms length.
But, then, shall not have so much
to lose in case of being compelled
to make a quick fit"
He found his room without any
trouble, but before he entered it he
walked through the corridor until
he came to another flight of stairs,
which he could see communicated
with the yard.
That's good. I may have need of
You, but 1 hope not. At least, it is
well to provide for being in cor
ner"
He went back to his room, and
then, opening his scanty luggage on
the table, took from the bag a collar
and couple of gaudy neckties, one
a. vivid blue and the other plaid of
red and green.
'It is so long since I made a call on
young lady," as if trying to decide
which one he should wear. "Pshaw,
what does it matterl 1t amt likely
she'll notice what I have on. Now,
for a little nap. I'd rather see her
in the evening, anyway Might ap-
pear strange-acting man in broad
daylight, and 1 need all my wits about
me, anyway" He flung the necktie
in the drawer of the little bureau,
saw to the fastening of the door, and
examined a handsome pistol which
he brought out of an inner pccket.
This he placed under the pillow Of
the bed, and then flung himself down
with the air of man who is utterly
exhausted.
But it was q long time before he
could compose himself to sleep. He
lay there on his back with his eyes
fixed on the ceiling. His thoughts,
however, could not all have been un-
pleasant, for the stern face now and
again relaxed and he smiled. He
took the parchment out of his pock-
ct, which he had gone through so
much trouble to procure that day,
and read it over and over. There
was softeniug expression in his
eyes as he folded it slowly and placed
it carefully back in an inner pocket
of his vest. After that he fell into
a peaceful sleep.
He must have slept lightly, for to-
ward evening a faint sound in the
hall reused him. He slipped to the
floor nOiselessly, and looked around
him in a frightened way. Only for
moment, and then a quiet smile
came over his rough lips.
Still he maintained an attitude of
attention, for the faint rustling
sound in the hall continued, as if
some one was moving about there
anxious not to be heard. He almost
imagined that he saw bvight eye
at the keyhole regarding him.
At last, after a moment, unable
to bear the suspense, and yet blam-
ing himself for what he believed to
be foolish fears, he stepped to the
! door, turned the knob without noise,
and flung it wide. There was no one
there. Off in the gathering shad-
ows at the further end of the corri-
dor he thought he saw dark figure
glide away.
"Bah! I'm full of fancies," he NUT
tered, shaking his head, and returned
to his room when there's danger
to face-that's different. But to be
frightened at every passing shadow
is nonsense"
Nevertheless, he was anxious, as he
made his simple toilet hastily and
went downstairs into the main room.
''Well, I hope yer satisfied with
your quarters" said the landlord,
who was smoking a pipe by the bar.
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