Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-05-23
VII.
PASSING

Ou the way DaCk 10 the Town. can IL
be that thai person Is in any way con-
nected with the tragedy? Well, time
will tell" It 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-
thy seated on the steps of the meeting
house, soliciting in a quaverlng voice
charity from passers-by.
TT must have been a fancy after all
that man could not be here" muttered
Job, as he approached the blind mar
again.
The patriarch was seated on the
stone steps OF the church, his hat was
on, and he seemed to be trying to get q
breath Of fresh air, O modicum OF the
faint breeze that had sprung up just
then.
Here is a little to help you along.
friend" and Hendricks dropped a
dime In the tin cup he wore about his
The blind man uttered his thanks,
and then, taking off his glasses, pro-
ceeded to rub them carefully.
0 turned away, shaking his
head, after looking the beggar over
slowly and carefully.
well, I am certainly getting fool
ish in my old age. There, l fancied
when I first saw the fellow hat he
was looking for me. He rubbed his
eyes for a moment, and then: Job,
YOU are getting to be an old food!
o 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 was delighted to see
him at such an early hour.
u thought o would not come un-
til night" ventured Mr.. Bowersox.
What does it matter to you when
/ come, as long as 1 pay for what !
get?' said Job, In a moody voice,
though he had no intention Of Of
Tending the inn keeper.
You would like to see yer room,
perhaps?"
"Well. yes, and go to it, if it is the
same to you"
AS he spoke, Hendricks pumped
down on a chair in the cafe. He was
plainly In no good-natured mood.
Il wish you would send to the de-
pot for my baggage, as 1 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.
bhdll nave YOUR SluI III ten
minutes, sir" he said. Then, going
to the back Of the hotel, he sum-
moned up a small darby and instruct
ed him to proceed to the station with
a wogon In search of the gentleman's
luggage.
In the meantime, the landlord,
studying his guest, who was seated
half asleep at q table, wondered what
manner Of man he had to deal with,
Certainly the stranger comported
himself in a 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 we'll in the first instance
were rather marred when the guests
luggage appeared from the depot.
1t consisted of q very small valise
that might have contained a dolls
wardrobe.
II should like to have it taken VI
to my room," said Hendricks.
Y might manage to carry 1t VI
yerself," was the testy remark OF
the landlord, as visions of q default.
ing boarder rose before him.
Hendricks snatched the satche
out of the hands of the little darky
and turned toward the stairs.
You can find your way up,
hope" said Bowersox, who was be.
ginning to think that he had treated
his guest in a very unfriendly man.
ner.
well, I know the number, ant
you say that the room is open,' re-
torted Hendricks.
But let me show you"
Il don't want to take you away
from your business and the on
guest OF the house disappeared.
Peter returned to his work of pol
ishing glasses, not quite able to make
out whether he had been insulted o.
not.
Job Hendricks, when he found him,
self alone in the hall, laughed softly
to himself and wagged his gray heaC
sagely.
They are all alike the world over
he muttered. 1.-THE sight of m,
money tickled him, but when the bag
gage arrived he sings another song
Well, 1t is rather scant provision TO,
a traveller" looking at the little va,
But, then, I shall mt have so much
to lose in case of being compelled
to make a quick fit"
He found his room without an.
trouble, but before he entered it h,
walked through the corridor unit
he came to another flight Of stairs
which he could see communicate,
with the yard.
That's good. I may have need O
you, but I hope not. At least, it i
well to provide for being in a cor
ner."
He went back to his room, an
then, opening his scanty luggage o.
the table, took from the bag q cola
and a couple Of gaudy neckties, on
q vivid blue and the other a plaid o
red and green.
1T Is so long since I made q call oil
a young lady" rs If trying to decid
which one he should wear. "Pshaw
what does 1t matter! 1t amt likel.
she'll notice what 1 have on. Now
for a little nap. I'd rather see he
in the evening, anyway. Might ap
pear q strange-acting man in broat
daylight, and 1 need all my wits abou
me, anyway" He flung the neckti
in the drawer of the little bureau
saw to the fastening of the door, an
examined a handsome pistol which
he brought out of an inner pocket
This he placed under the pillow o
the bed, and then flung himself dow
with the air Of a man who is utterl,
exhausted.
But 1t was : long time before h
could compose himself to sleep. H
lay there on his back with his eye
fixed on the ceiling. His thoughts
however, could not all have beer un
pleasant, for the stern face now ant
again relaxed and he smiled. HI
took the parchment out of his peck
ct, which he had gone through S,
much trouble to procure that day
and read it over and over. Their,
was a softening expression in hi
eyes as he folded it slowly and placed
1t carefully back in ar inner poke
of his vest. After that he fell int
q peaceful sleep.
He must have slept lightly, for to
Ward evening n faint sound in tn,
hall reused him. He slipped to thu
floor noiselessly, and looked arount
him in a frightened way. Only foI
a moment, and Their a quiet smil,
came over his rough lips.