Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1904-12-15
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Copyright 1904. by Daily story Pub. Coz

The girl had caught him red-handed,
slipping into their horse stable; and
during the past week they had lost
three of their best animals. But the
prisoner was imperturbable, even
when in the first excitement of discov-
cry she had fired bullet across his
shoulder as a warning to accept the
capture without protest. He had
turned calmly, but with an odd look
of amazement in his eyes; and as he
raised his hat-with his left hand
and tried to say something about wan
dering into the valley by accident, she
had cut him short, with a curt, Move
on ahead there, and don't attempt to
touch your weapons"
IF you will excuse me, MISS" he
observed quietly, after they had COW
cred half the distance to the house,
isn't it rather odd to build such a
home as yours in so wild a place?
did not suppose there was even log
cabin within a hundred miles,"
"My father likes the location" the
girl said coldly, 'and so do l. Here
we are now-that is my father on the
piazza"
AS she spoke they passed from be-
hind a hedge of transplanted New
England barberry bushes, brilliant
with their scarlet clusters of seedy
fruit, directly in front of the entrance.
Her father had half risen and was
looking down at them inquiringly.
This is a man 1 caught in our
horse stable, father the girl ex-
planned. HE says he was looking in
out of curiosity, but 1 believe he is
the thief who has been taking our
horses. You can talk with him
though, and find out. Watch him
closely, for he's armed. l will go
round to the kitchen and see if the
Chinaman has got dinner about
ready"
AS she disappeared in the house the
stranger turned away to hide smile.
These people were not very expert
enced in thief-taking.
you will excuse my not rising, sir"
the host was saying courteously. "but
unfortunately l am at present little
indisposed. Please step up on the
piazza and take that chair. Place the
books upon the table,.
There were several small tables on
the piazza and number of chairs, and
tables and chairs were all occupied
by books. The prisoner went to the
chair indicated and removed the books
to the table at the mans elbow. AS
he did so he gazed at the thin, smooth
ly-shaven face with puzzled look
that was half recognition.
But the keen, quiZzical eyes were
piercing him through and through,
and as he sat down he had feeling
that he was back at college and his
professor was probing him for the
truth of some misdemeanor. Soon,
however, the mans face cleared and
the searching eyes lost their look Of
fixed inquiry.
"You are blameless, sir" the incis-
i've voice declared conclusively, "and
1 apologize for my daughters suspi-
cion. Perhaps, though, it was natural
under the circumstances. OF course
you will stay to dinner. May l ask
your name?"
Reynolds Phillips"
All the time the man had been
speaking Phillips gaze had been
wandering longingly over the pro-
fusion of books. They were a famil-
lar avenue back into his past. Invol-
unfairly he reached out and picked up
one, opening at the fy-leaf. AS he
did so he uttered a surprised exclama-
ton.
president Elliot! He gave you
this?"
eyes Do you know him?"
"He was my college president"
what" The man half rose in his
chair. 81 have been a professor in