Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-10-18

the Chatter Arms; on the other, the
Rsmberton Head. Standing between
them, and looking up the long strag+
Cling street, Mr.. Philip Crowdy could
discern, in the distance, perched on
rising ground, the outlines Of great
house, with lights showing family
here and there in it's windows.
That's Chatter Hall-evidently," he
said, softly to himself. Nov, the
question is, where is Mr.. Dandy Cha
ter? Shall go up to the Hall and
reconnoiter the position, or shall | try
one of the inns? think I'll try one
OF the inns. If happen to drop into
the wrong one, and he is there, /
must trust to making bolt for 1t; il
he's not there, think the likeness
will serve and may hear something
which will be useful. Now then
heads, right-tails, left"
He spun a coin in the air-looked
at it closely-returned it to his pocket
and turned to the left, into the
Bamberton Head. Knowing that any
sign of hesitation might mean his I'M
doing, he thrust open door which led
into little parlor and boldly entered
it.
There were one or two men in the
room. and big, surly-looking giant OF
fellow, who appe AIRED to be the land.
lord. The men exchanged glances
which, to the man keenly watchful OF
every movement, seemed to be glances
of surprise; the surly landlord put a
hand to his forehead.
"Evenin', Muster Chatter" said the
man. "'Tain't of'en as we sees any
thing O. You this side the way, sir"
Wrong house." thought Philip
Crowley. $50 much the better, per-
haps; I am less likely to meet the
real man until wish to do So" Aloud
he said with shrug OF the shoulders:
"Oh-anything for a change. Bring
ne some brandy; it can't be worse
than that at the other shop-and 1t
may be better"
"a deal better, Muster Chatter, take
my word for it," replied the landlord,
hurrying away to execute the order.
During the time that the stranger
sat there and had leisure to look about
him he became aware Of one unpleas-
ant fact. He saw that, however great
might be their respect for the mere
position of the man they supposed
him to be, there was a curious resent
ment at his presence, and distrust
Of him personally, which was not to be
disguised. When, having leisurely
drank his brandy, he left the place, to
their evident relief, and came out
again into the darkness of the village
street, he expressed the opinion to
himself, in one emphatic phrase, that
Dandy Chatter was a bad lot.
In the strangeness OF his position,
and in his uncertainty as to what
future course he was to take, his in.
terview with the girl on the road out
side the village had gone. for the
time, clean out CT his mind. When he
looked at his watch he discovered, to
his dismay, that it was nearly 8
o'clock. More thar that, he did not
even Know Where the wood of which
she had spoken was situated, and he
dared not ask the way to 1t.
Trusting to blind chance to guide
him, and looking about anxiously over
the fat landscape for any thing at all
answering the description of a mill,
or even Of a wood, he lost more valu-
able time still; and at last, In sheer
desperation, remembering that the
last train for London started at a few
minutes to the hour of nine, he set off
at rapid rate for the railway station
running along the road now and
then in his anxiety not to niss it.
If the real Dandy Chatter has kept
his promise to the girl. even so far as
taking her to London is concerned"
he muttered, as he ran on, they've
met in the wood long ago, and are
we'll on their way to the station. I'll
follow them; that's the best course.
Besides, l don't like the look OF that
business with the girl; her eyes seem
TO haunt me somehow. If I miss them
at the station can at least go on to
that place she mentioned at Wool
witch, and keep my eye on the man.
TO Be Continued,)