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

took the parchment Of his pock-
ct, which had gone through so
much trouble to procure hat day.
and read it over and over. There
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 must have slept lightly. for to-
ward evening a faint sound in the
hall reused him. He slipped to the
floor noiselessly, and looked around
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 not to be heard. He almost
imagined that he saw 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.
and flung it wide. There was no one
there. Off in the gathering shad-
ows at the further end Of the corri-
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
went down stairs into the main room.
well, 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 one discourteously I'M
til there was reason for 1t.
"oh, the room is all right" NUT
tered Hendricks. There's another
ledger neal 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" cycling him keenly, II
certainly thought I heard a mans
step near my door,"
did o see him?"
mo-"
Then you must have been mis-
took. He don't come in until late at
AAto iii - AAiSNAAAS W ia v
SOS we wouldn't be skeered.'
81 am not easily frightened" re-
piled Hendricks, at the same time cast
ing an inquisitorial 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 such a slightfoundation. 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 out In the
gathering night.
Declare I feel as excited as a
schoolgirl going 10 her first ball."
he sale to himself. IT haven't the
nerve I was nee 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 q room on the first floor
moved as If some one was taking
a view Of him?
He drew himself W with a laugh
as he strobe through the gathering
dusk down the village street.
And I am trying to save another
man." he muttered. 'It would be
funny If it wasn't so melancholy a
fact-that I am perhaps hunted for
at this moment myself"