Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-12

with the yard.
Chats good. I may have need of
you, but I hope not. At least, it is
we'll to provide for being in a cor
ner."
He went back to his room. and
then, opening his scanty luggage on
the table, ok from the bag collar
and couple of gaudy neckties, one
vivid blue and the other a plaid of
red and green.
"It is so long since / made call on
a young lady," as if trying to decide
which one he should wear. "Pshaw,
what does it matter! 1t amt likely
she'll notice what I have on. Now,
for little nap. I'd rather see her
in the evening, anyway. Might ap-
pear Strengthening man in broad
daylight, and 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 pocket.
This he placed under the pillow of
the bed, and then flung himself down
with the air of a man who is utterly
exhausted.
But it was long time before he
could compose himself to sleep. He
Law there on his back with his ewes
fixed on the ceiling. His thoughts,
however, could not all have been I'M
pleasant, for the stern face now and
again relaxed and he smiled. He
took the parchment out of his peck
ct, which he had gone through so
much trouble to procure that day,
and read it over and over. There
was softening 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
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 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 a bright 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 CORR
dor he thought he saw a 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 pipe by the bar.
He seemed to have made up his mind
to treat his guest politely for the
present. Guests were too scare in
town to treat one discourteously un-
til there was reason for it.
"Oh, the room is all right" NUT
tered Hendricks. "There's another
1odger near me, I believe"
Mr.. Bowersox, he thought, seemed
to be little embarrassed, and re-
garded his pipe for moment be-
fore answering.
ooh, there's chap that works on
the railroad has a room near you
| but he's away now"
Indeed" cycling him keenly, II
certainly thought 1 heard mans
step near my door,"
''Did you see him?"
"No"
''Then you must have been mis-
took. He don't come in until late at
night. I meant to tell you before,
SOS we wouldn't be skeered."
81 am not easily frightened" re-
piled Hendricks, at the same time
casting an inquisitorial look at his
landlord. After, all it was not worth
making fuss about. He was begin
ming to feel ashamed of his own fool
ish fears, that had such slight foun-
dation. Hearing the rattle of the
dishes in the dining-room beyond, he
changed the subject by asking for
some supper. He made poor meal,
and then having inquired the way to
the lawyer, Jared Henslow's house,
he went out in the gathering night.
Declare I feel as, excited as a
schoolgirl going to her first ball"
he said to himself. ST haven't the
nerve was once celebrated for. Job,
you'll have soon to confess that you
are getting old and useless"
At some distance from the inn he
paused to look back. Was it one
more of his fool fancies that the