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

ruminate on 1t was strange how
bis thoughts ran on that ragged indi-
vidual 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
fellow should be SEEM" he asked him
self on the way back to the town.
"Can it be that that person is in
any way connected with the tragedy?
Well, time will tell" 1t was only
when he entered the town that he
remembered his brief interview with
the blind man. He felt so sure that
his fancies had misled him that he
was delighted to see that worthy
seated on the steps of the meeting
charity from passers-by.
cit must have been a 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 ne 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 little to help you along,
friend" and Hendricks dropped q
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 and carefully.
'Well, I am certainly getting fool
ish in my old age. There, 1 fancied
when / first saw the fellow that he
was looking for me-" He rubbed his
eyes for moment, and then: Sob,
you are getting to be an old fool!
How is it possible that he could have
followed you here"
He resumed his road, and yet 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.
81 thought you would not come I'M
til night" ventured Mr.. Bowersox.
"What does it matter to you when
/ come, as long as I pay for what I
get?" said Job, in moody voice,
though he had no intention of Of
Tending the inn-keeper.
GVo,, would 1;I,a coo xrar xoo,,,
perhaps?"
"Well, yes, and go to it, if it is the
same to you"
AS he spoke. Hendricks pumped
down on chair in the cafe. He was
plainly in no good-natured mood.
II wish you would send to the de-
pot for my baggage, as I intend to
spend some days here" he remarked,
after moments silence.
Peter, who had already learned
the value of such 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 small darby and instruct
ed him to proceed to the station with
wagon in search of the gentleman s
luggage.
In the meantime, the landlord,
studying his guest, who was seated
half asleep at table, wondered what
manner of man he had to deal with.
Certainly the stranger comported
himself in quiet way, and Mr.. Bow
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 we'll in the first instance
were rather married when the guests
luggage appeared from the depot
1t consisted of very small valise
that might have contained dolls
wardr obe
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
and turned toward the stairs.
"You can find your way up,
hopes" said Bowersox, who was be-
ginning to think that he had treated
his guest in very unfriendly man
ner.
'Well, I 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 OF
not.
Job Hendricks, when he found him
self alone in the hall, laughed softly
to himself and wagged his gray heac
sagely.
"Thev arc al alike the world over