Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-02-05
CHAPTER VI, (Continued.l

Aneu NC was SOue-d ZlBIdB plume u
tobacco smoke marking his wake.
what do you say to that one for G
whopper. Jep?" Chandler laughed
aenderly toying with the mole upor
his chin.
III bet ten dollars it never happen
ed, cried Clara; bet Order made W
the whole thing"
NO; he did not invent the story.
Marlowe stated positively. Il have
heard 1t a few hundred times before
Its good one, anyhow" McDev.
MT remarked dryly. Perhaps it's like
whisky-improves with age"
"A lies lie,' Tucker said musing.
". Some Of ems good an some oil
ems bad; but all of ems immortal
an lives fer ever.
There's somethin' funny bout that,
ne continued philosophically. Ever
think of IL? II one O. you fellers Id
start out through the country tonight
an tell everybody you met that Baby.
Ion was burnt to the ground, SO people
out Of hundred Id b'lieve 1t. An O
dozen truthful men might foller in vi
rack, sayin' the story was a lie, and
sher wouldn't be one In a hundred
out Id still have their doubts bout the
matter. Talk bout truth bein' mighty
an bound to prevail! wy, one lie we'll
cold an properly impressed III live
longer n holy writ. 'Tain't right
D'raps-but it's So"
Then Jep picked up the lighted Ian
aern he had brought In with him, turn
ed up the wick, arose stiffly, and went
out mumbllng:
Cant be with you fellers alIuz. Got
10 go and bed down the hosses-an' go
TO roost myself"
Now" said Clark briskly, when the
sound OF fuckers footsteps had died
our, those two gassers are gone, Mar
lowe, I'll tell you what we came In
Tor. A crowd of us boys and girls are
going up to Malconta, next Tuesday
night, to the show. We want you to
90 along with us. Well find you q
girl"
Perhaps he would rather make his
own selection" McDevitt suggested.
That's all right" the agent went on.
He can make his choice: and we'll
see that he gets is. No trouble about
ehat. What do you say, Marlowe, will
you 10 with us? We're going to drive
UP and back-two or three barouche
loads It'll be an elegant trip. What
do you say?"
i shall be pleased to go with you,
q aud can leave on that particular
evening. Dr. Barwood Is very busy
aow; and"
you can lock up the old ranch"
Clark arLed impatiently; at won't run
OF. Well have jolly good time. Well
start about six O'clock-we can make
Abe drive In two hours, easy. McDe-
Vftt's going to take Name Gridley; I'm
going to take his sister, Rose; and
Ehnndler's going to take Gertrude
BENTLEY There's lots of pretty girls
for you to pick from-Jennie Grldley,
Bell Akers, Fannie Richards, Dolly
Barwood and so on. You might prefer
Ahe other Miss Barwood-Julia; but
she don't go to shows"
what kind of show is this?" Ralph
asked.
"a theater-a play" Clark replied.
They've got dandy new opera-house
Wp there at Malconta; and are getting
some good shows. This ones kind OF
a farce-comedy, | guess-lots Of dane
ing and singing and fun In 1t. Let's
Bee-What's the name Of 1t. MorrisT
''The Cider and the Pie" was Nc
DaEitt'E answer
At the announcement /Marlowe
caught his breath sharply and turned
pale to the lips His companions no
ficed his agitation, and looked wonder
Sngly at him-and at one another. Re
covering his equanimity, by a strong
effort, he said calmly:
II turned sick suddenly-a pain in
the region Of my heart. In regard Ia
the show. have seen lt-and do not
care to see 1t again. 1t is light-frothy
You will be disappointed In It."
They did not urge him to alter his
decision; but after few moments OF
embarrassing silence arose and took
their departure. Each Of the three sus.
pcCteu ne nan SluuHDleu upon hiuuVh
tragedy; yet hoped he WIS mistaken
and feared to mention his suspicious to
his comrades.
Left alone, Ralph Marlowe sat with
bowed head, murmuring softly, sadly
Go himself:
1.-THE past dogs me-a merciles'
Nemesis. | thought | had buried my
self alive: but the prying eye OF In
exorable fate has spied out my tomb
The walled city of Babylon overland
he smiled grlmly-"is not a secure hid
fng place. And yet It may be. | vii
dissuade Clark from attending the per
Torrance at Malconta; he is the NOV
fng spirit Yes. must do that. Fo
II my name should be spoken In thu
hearing Of certain members OF thu
troupe-and II might be, the agent anC
his friends noticed my agitation a
mention Of the title of the play
would get to her ears; and that woult
mean my undoing, my ruin"
Arising, he agitatedly walked to tn
'front.' door and peered through the glasi
nj the dark, wet night without. Thei
mechanically he turned down tn
Nights. passed out, locking the door be