The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-05-22
Stairs ST
|Sand....

took the parchment out Of his pock-
ct, which he had gone through 4 SO
much trouble to procure hat day,
and read it over and over. There
was a softening expression; in his
eyes as he folded 1t slowly and placed
it carefully back in an inner pocket
of his vest. After that he fell Into
a peaceful sleep.
He u have slept lightly. for to-
ward evening a faint sound in the
hall reused him. TIe slipped to the
floor noiselessly. and looked around
him in a frightened way. Only for
a 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 II
some n was moving about there
anxious no to be heard. He almost
imagined that he saw a bright eye
at h keyhole regarding him.
AT last. after a moment, unable to
ing himself for what he believed to
be foolish fears, he stepped to the
door. turned the knob without noise.
and flung 1t wide. There was no one
there. Off in the gathering shad-
w at the further end Of the corri-
dor he thought he saw a dark figure
glide away.
Dali! LII LUZ OIL Ianc1eS, ne NUT
tered, shaking his head. and returned
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 down stairs into the main room.
well, I hope yer satisfied with
your quarters" said the landlord,
WhnN uoc cYnN1rfro a yN3vA hyy 81 tho Nov
He seemed to have made. up his mind
to treat his guest politely for the
present. Guests were too scarce in
town to treat discourteously IN
til there was reason for it.
ooh, the room is all right" NUT
tered Hendricks. There's another
ledger near me, I believe"
to be a little embarrassed. and re-
garding his pipe for a moment be-
fore answering.
"oh, there's a chap that works on
the railroad has a room near you
but he's away now"
Indeed" cycling him keenly, IT
certainly thought I heard a mans
step near my door"
did you see him?"
Mo-
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."
II am not easily frightened" re-
piled Hendricks, at the same time cast
ing an tnqulsitorial look at his land
lord. After all 1t was not worth making
a fuss about. He was beginning to
feel ashamed Of his own foolish fears,
that had sucha slight foundation. Hear
ing the rattle Of the dishes in the din
ing room beyond, he changed the sub
ject by asking for some supper. He
made a poor meal, and then having in
CURED the way to the lawyer. Jared
Henslow,s house. he went out in the
gathering night.
Declare I feel as excited as q
schoolgirl going to her first ball.
he said to himself. "I haven't the
nerve I was one 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 1t one
more Of his fool fancies that the
shutters of a room on the first floor
moved as If some one was taking
a view ofzhim?
He drew himself up with a laugh
as he STROBE through the gathering
dusk down the village street.
And I am trying to save another
man." he muttered. ut would be
funny If it wasn't so melancholy 9
fact-that I am perhaps hunted fol
at this moment myself"