The Van Buren press., 1904-07-30


ticated innocence.
When the bet was all arranged, and
the stakes properly deposited, Joe said;
Now, how and when is this thing to
be decided?"
Bob looked up at Thompson, trust
ingly, as if inviting him to answer. The
latter, assuming an important, swag-
gering, arrogant air, and ignoring Bob
! entirely, said:
"A week is all the time want for
marrying the widow You can prepare
to hand over the stakes to me by that
time"
And II you don't marry her" Bob
said. questioningly, Il get the money
"Of course" Thompson answered,
condescendingly. But, If | were you.
| would not lay awake Of nights, plan
ming out how TO invest it.
"Oh, won't" Bob replied. 81 never
lose sleep over things like that, But,
why should we wait week to decide this
thing? Why not decide it right now?'
Thompson laughed and the crowd
| joined in. Bob was certainly very
funny
do you think a man can decide a
thing like this in two minutes?" Thomp-
son asked.
Il can, Bob replied.
You can? HOw?"
"Ill show you"
In flash Bob had pulled his gun 2nd
held it pointed at Blue Thompson's head,
| The latter started back, with surprise,
and the crowd began to move restlessly.
BE quiet, gentlemen, everybody"
Bob said, and the softness and gentle
ness was all gone out Of his voice, and
| the smile had left his face, This is a
little matter of business, and it is all
quite regular, assure you"
But, there shall be no murder here
Joe interposed you shall not resort
to that to win your bet Men, disarm
| him"
Several of the spectators started to-
ward Bob, but before they could lay
! their hands on him he threw back the
/ lapel of his coat and revealed a de-
tectives badge. those who had started
to interfere fell back.
There will be nobody hurt, Bob said,
| unless some Of you try to interfere with
me in the discharge of my duty As |
said this thing is all proper and reg
/ ular."
There was a long and death-like ST.
lence Bob, calm and cool, looked at
Thompson, and the latter, gloomy and
covering, looked at Bob. The specta-
tors their faces pictures of astonish-
ment, looked enquiringly from one to
the other. Finally, Joe broke the silence
by saying:
What does it all meant"
at means, simply" Bob replied, that
Blue Thompson is not Blue Thompson
at all, and that, instead Of being brave,
bad man, he is only common muir
derer He killed an old man, stole that
$1,000, and then ran away and changed
| his name ! have been looking for him
for about a year, for he is badly wanted"
In the hearts Of some Of those who
were admirers Of the widow glad feel
ing began to creep up, 1t would not be
| such bad thing to have so formidable
a rival as Blue Thompson out Of the
| way. Some Of them who had felt their
| chances OF winning the woman as hope
| less, took fresh courage, and resolved
| to re-enter the contest. On the morrow,
they told themselves, they would lay
fresh siege to her heart
Presently, the door opened and man
| came in. without word he walked
over to Blue Thompson, snapped pair
of handouts on him, and relieved him
| OF his pistols.
To the men in the saloon there was
something familiar looking about this
man, although they could not remember
ever having seen him. He was a
stranger in the fiat, beyond a doubt, yet
somehow, they felt that It had not been
long since they had looked on his fea-
lures, But, where?" they asked thom-
selves, "and whcn?'
The man looked around on the crowd
and saw the puzzled look on the faces.
He understood and burst into loud,
] hearty laugh,
"For shame, for shame!' he cried,
Pm disappointed in you all To think
| that not one Of you recognizes me, when
| you have seen me every day for weeks,
and some OF you have protesscd to ad-
mire me greatly II seems cruel and
/ disappointing that men should so soon
! forget the loved features OF the one they
! profess to adore!'
There was long and awkward pause,
| then some one said:
ut IL the widow"
The man looked up with a smile,
Yes" he said, 81 was the widow but,
now, am detective, I'm sorry II any
of YOU feel disappointed and | trust
that shall leave no broken hearts, here,
when 20 away You have all made IL
very pleasant for me, and to show that
ain not ungratoful ! want YOU all to
como up and have one with me-"
At first there was some hesitation for
the disappointed lovers felt sore, but,
/ presently, they thought better Of It, and,
treating the matter ~ good Joke, lined
UP Nt the bar and had no, only one, but
| several
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