Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-05-21
CHAPTER VII.
PASSING sHADoMs.


Why was he so worried lest the fell
low should be SEEM" he asked himself
on the way back to the town. Can it
be that that person is in any way con-
nected with the tragedy? Well. time
VIII 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 wor-
tiny seated on the steps of the meeting
house, soliciting in q quavering voice
charity from passers-by.
IT must have been 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
OH, and he seemed to be trying to get
breath of fresh air, a modiculn of the
faint breeze that had sprung up just
then.
Here is little to help you along,
TREND" and Hendricks dropped
dime IN the tin cup he wore about his
waist.
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.
- -, all certainly settlnS TOOL
ish in my old age There l fancied
when first saw the fellow that he
was looking for me. He rubbed his
eyes for moment, and then: "Job,
you are getting to be an old food!
How is 1t 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 Wac 1a1ip1,fa6 To GOO
him at such an early hour.
~ thought you would not come I'M
til night ventured Mr.. Bowersox.
What does it matter to you when
come, as long as pay for what
get" said JOB, in moody voice,
enough he had no intention of Of
Tending the inn keeper.
You would like to see yer room,
perhaps?"
We'll, yes, and go to 1T. 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 intend to
spend some days here" he remarked,
after amoment's silence.
Peter, who had already learned
the value of such a 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 q small darby and instruct-
ed him to proceed to the station with
q wogon 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 q 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 well in the first instance
were rather marred when the guests
luggage appeared from the depot
1T consisted of u very small valisc
that might have contained a deWs
wardrobe.
II should like to have it taken up
to my ROOM" said Hendricks.
"Yc might manage to carry 1t up
yerself," was the testy remark of
the landlord, as visions of u default
Ing boarder rose before him.
Hendricks snatched the satchel
out of the hands of the little darby
and turned toward the stairs.
You can find your way up l
hope, said Bowersox, who was be-
ginning to think that he had treated
his guest In u very unfriendly man
ner.
We'll. 1 know the number and
you say THAI the room is open" re-
torted Hendricks
But let me show you-''
i don't want to take you away
from your business" and the one
guest of the house disappeared.
Peter returned to his work of poll
ishing glasses, not quite able to make
out whether he had been insulted or
not.
Job Hendricks, when he found him
self alone in the hall, laughed softly
to himself and wagged his gray head
sagely.
They are all alike the world over
he muttered. THE sight of my
money tickled him, but when the bag
gage arrived he sings another song.
Well 1t is rather scant provision for
a traveller" looking at the little va
lise as he held 1T at arms length
But, then. l shall mt have so much
to lose in case of being COM elled
to make quick fit"
He found his room without any
trouble, but before he entered it he
walked through the corridor until
he came to another flight of stairs
which he could see communicated
with the yard.
That's good. may have need OF
you, but 1 hope not. At least, 1t is
we'll to provide for being in a cor
ner."
He went back to his room, and
then, opening his scanty luggage on
the table. took from the bag collar
and a couple of gaudy necl1ties, one
@ vivid blue and the other a plaid OF
red and green.
ut is SO long since made a call on
a young lady as If trying to decide
which one he should wear. "Pshaw
what does 1t matter! 1t amt likely
she'll notice what I have on. Now
for little nap. I'd rather see her
in the evening, anyway. Might APP
pear O. strengthening man in broad
daylight. and L need all my wits about
me, anyway" He flung the necktie
In the drawer of the little bureau
saw to the fastening of the door, and
examined handsome pistol which
he brought out of an inner pocket
This he placed under the pillow OF
the bed, and then flung himself down
with the air of a man who is utterly
exhausted.
But 1t was a long time before he
could compose himself to sleep. He
lay there on his back with his eyes
fixed on the ceiling. His thoughts
however, could not all have been I'M
pleasant, for the stern face now and
again relaxed and he smiled. He
took the parchment out of his pock-
ct, which he had gone through SC
much trouble to procure that day
and read 1t over and over. There
was softening expression In his
eyes as he folded 1t slowly and placed
1t carefully back in an inner pocket
of his vest. After that he fell into
q peaceful sleep.
He must have slept lightly, For to-
| 1yard euenintr q faiut connl i,, 4Lc