Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-05
..Hullo!. returned Rossiter reluct-

antly.
 eCampin' fer the night?"
 ssNo, not exactly"
 "Room fer two, partner?"
 q haven't mortgage on the place."
 The man had moved several steps in Rossiter's direction, but the tone from the fence-corner had not been especially cordial, and he now stopped.
 "Got any terbaccer about yer?" he inquired as means of renewing the conversation.
 ''None to spare"
 "Huh!'' said the man, ''you're not very damn friendly"
 He pushed back his hat, and for the first time the moonlight fell full upon countenance that if once seen was not likely to be forgotten. It was towny-bearded almost to the close-set eyes, and the effect was at the same time fantastic and repel- lant. ,
 ''Whiskers! !"-Rossiter's lips uncon- sciously framed the name by which this man, Hart Dawson, was com
 
 The mind of the younger vagabond reverted with swift distinctness to a certain chilly night in the Arkansas bottom-lands when he, with Hart Dawson and pal of the latter, had sought shelter in rough lean-to. Chance had made the three compan- ions, and they had shared fortunes for several weeks. In the heart of that bitter night Rossiter had awak- ened, bitten to the bone by the cold, to find himself alone, the thick coat which he had wrapped about him gone, in its pockets the few small coins which he possessed. 1t was a sharp experience, and while Rossiter was not one of the sort to cherish grudge, he had reason to bear the man before him small goodwill.
 His first impulse, born of the keen recollection of the suffering of that night, was to assail Dawson there and then, and have revenge in some sort, if he might, for the contempt ble theft and desertion. He con trolled himself, however, and made no effort to rise, hoping not to be recognized. But the working of his lips and his very apparent emotion did not escape the notice of the man | in the road. He leaped up the bank, and, not knowing what to expect, Rossiter felt compelled to get upon his feet. So in the fence-cornerS they faced each other, the one curious, aggressive, bulky, and brutal; the other tense with restrained passion, l alert, and sinewy.
 | s'Blast me-" ejaculated Dawson, his ! inexpensive countenance showing amazement and discomfort in so far as that was possible, "if it ain't 1 Charlie Rossl" This was the name that some of his wandering compan- ions had jocularly given to Rossiter.
 "Well,'' said the latter coolly, "what then?"
 Dawson quickly recovered his conn posture.
 "Ye don't seem glad to see me- he remarked.
 ssI've had greater pleasures"
 "Oh, come now, Charlie, what's the use O standin' off like that with an ole pal? 'Twan't me so much as it I was Lanky Bill as done ye dirt. Let's | paJCn It up. Lou IS UOuIlu 4CI wa turbury, take it, where the've made camp fer the boys, an are feedin' 'em good grub an so am l. Let's todd1e along together like friends" :"
 Rossiter's hands were clenched at his side. A cold rage was growing on him at the mans effrontery.
 Where I am going" he said jelly. sis my own concern, not yours
 The two measured each other steadily for several seconds. their eyes upon level, for they were of equal height, and then Dawson's glance shifted.
 'Ye always held yerself too cussed good fer common folks," said he. l You'd better move on, sWhiskers,' ' said Rossiter.
 Their eyes met again, and presently Dawson drew back pace, and finally descended to the highway,
 ''Ye can go to hell, fer all O me- he remarked, and shambled off down the road towards the valley.
 (To be continued.)