The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-05-22
CHAPTER VII.
PASSING

on. 1t was strange how his thoughts
ran to that ragged Individual he had
seen for a moment out of the window,
the man who seemed to worry Ellison
so much, more than anything else that
had happened during the visit.
why was he, SO worried lest the fell
low should be SEEM" he asked himself
on the way back to the town. "Can it
be that that person is in my way con-
nected with the tragedy? Well, time
will tell" It was only when he entered
the town that he remembered his brief
Interview with the blind man. He felt
80 sure that his fancies had misled him
that he was delighted to see that wor-
thy seated on the steps Of the meeting
house, soliciting in a ,quavering voice
charity from passers-by.
ut must have been q fancy after all
that man could not be here" muttered
Job, as he approached the blind man
again.
The patriarch was seated on the
stone steps Of the church, his hat was
off, and he seemed to be trying to get a
breath Of fresh air, a modicum of the
faint breeze that had sprung UP Just
then.
Here is a little to help you along,
friend" and Hendricks dropped a
dime in the tin cup he wore about his
waist.
The blind man uttered his thanks,
and then, taking off his glasses, pro-
ceeded to rub them carefully.
Job turned away, shaking his
head. after looking the beggar over
slowly n carefully.
well, I am certainly getting fool
:sh in my old age. There. I fancied
when I first saw the fellow that he
was looking for me. He rubbed his
eyes for a moment. and then: Job,
you are getting to be an old food!
How is 1t possible that he could have
followed O here?"
He resumed his road, and vet he
did not feel wholly at ease as he
made his way to the Bluebell.
The landlord was delighted to see
him at such an early hour.
II thought you would not come I'M
til night" ventured MI. Bowersox.
What does it matter to you when
I come, as long as + pay for what I
get?" said Job, in a moody voice,
though he had no intention Of Of
Tending the I'M keeper.
You would like to see yer room,
perhaps?"
well. yes. and go to it. If it is the
same to you"
AS he spoke, Hendricks pumped
down on a chair in the cafe. He was
plainly in no good-natured mood.
Il wish o would e to the de-
pot for my baggage, as I intend to
spend some days here he remarked,
after amoment's silence.
Peter, who had already learned
the value Of such a profitable guest,
was at his side in an instant.
You shall have your stuff in ten
minutes, sir" he said. Then, going
to the back Of the hotel, he sum-
moned up a small darby and instruct
sd him to proceed to the station with
q wogon in search Of the gentleman's
luggage.
In the meantime. the landlord,
studying his guest, who was seated
half asleep at a table, wondered what
manner Of man he had to deal with.
Certainly the stranger comported
ersox had about decided that, for
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 a very small valise
wardrobe.
IT should like to have it taken up
to my ROOM" said Hendricks.
"Ye might manage to carry 1t UP
yerself," was the testy remark OF
the landlord. as visions of a default
ing pcarder rose neiore MIN.
HendrlcKs snatched the satchel
out OF inc .hanos OF the llttle darky
ano TUNED toward the stairs.
1ou a \ your way up !
hope, SAID BoWersoX, who was be-
ginning to think that he had treated
MS guest In a very unfr1endly man
neS1
well, l know the number, and
you say that the room is open,'' re-
torted dendrlcks.
.But let me SHOW you
ooht want TO take you away
from your business, ana the one
guest OF n mouse disappeared.
Peter returned to his work OF pol
lsnlng glasses, not quite able to make
OUT whether ne had been lnsulted OF
mol IT,, uo....
JoD Hendr1cks, When ne round him
sen alone IN the nall, aughed softly
70 hl1nseif n Wagged his gray heao
sageiy.
are all alike world over
ne muttered. The sight or my