The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-05-22
Stairs of
|Sand....

took the parchment out OF his pock-
ct, which he had zone through SO
much trouble to procure that day,
and 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 thai he fell into
a peaceful sleep.
He must have slept lightly, for to-
ward evening q faint sound in the
hall reused him. He 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 one was moving about there
imagined that he say 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.
inc flung it wide. There was no one
there. Off in the gathering shad-
oWs at the further end Of the corri-
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 down stairs into the main room.
We'll, I hope yer satisfied with
your quarters said the landlord,
who was smoking a pipe by the bar.
He seemed to have made up his mind
to treat his guest politely for the
present. Guests were too scarce in
town to treat n discourteously I'M
til there was reason for it.
"oh, the room is all right" nut
tered Hendricks. There's another
lodger hear me, I believe"
Mr.. BoWersox, he thought, seemed
to be a little embarrassed, and re-
garding his pipe for a moment be-
fore answering.
"Oh, there's a chap that works on
but he's away now"
Indeed" eyeing him keenly, II
certainly thought I heard a mans
step near my door,"
did you see him?"
NO."
took. He don't come in until late at
night. I meant to tell you before.
SOS We wouldn't be skeered."
Il. am not easily frightened" re-
piled Hendricks, at the same time cast
ing an inquisitorial look at his land
lord. After all it was not worth making
a fuss about. He was beginning to
feel ashamed Of his own foolish fears,
that had sucha sl:ghtfoundation. 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
quired the way to the lawyer, Jared
Henslow's house. he went cut in the
gathering night.
Declare I feel IS excited as a
schoolgirl going 10 her first ball."
he said to himself. IT haven't the
nerve I was once celebrated for. Job,
you'll have Don 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 mi vas taking
a view of him?
He drew himself up with a laugh
as he strobe through the gathering
dusk down the village street.
And / am trying to v another
man." he muttered. 1T would be
funny If it wasn't so melancholy a
fact-that I am perhaps hunted for
at this moment myself"