Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-11-15

of the delinquent Hbts AZ MS cIupS' L
dismissed all thought OF him, threw
aside the paper, and mentally figured
out nv commissions on sales during
the past month. II was a handsome
figure. large enough for two. This
pastime, too, soon failed to interest
me. I gazed out Of the window and
watched the dark shapes as they sped
past.
saw the girls face from time to
time. What fool had been not to
ask her name! She could easily have
refused and yet az easily have grant.
ed the request At any rate, lad
permitted the chance to slip out of
my reach, which was exceedingly
careless on my part Perhaps they
she and her uncle-frequently dined
at Mouquin's: determined to haunt
the place and learn. 1t would be
easy enough to address her the next
time we met. Besides, she would be
curious to know all about the ten of
hearts and the desperate adventure
upon which l told her l was about to
embark. Many a fine friendship has
grown out Of smaller things.
Next, turning from the window, l
fell to examining my fellow passen-
gers, in the hope Of seeing some one
knew. Conversation en- trains makes
short Journeys sat III
stifly in my seat Diagonally across
the aisle sat the very chap had met
In the curio-shop! He was quietly
reading a popular magazine, and oc-
casionally a smile lightened his sar-
donic mouth. Funny that | should
run across him twice in the same
evening! Men who are contemplating
suicide never smile in that fashion.
He was smoking q small. well-colored
meerschaum pipe with evident relish.
Somehow, when a man clenches his
teeth upon the mouthpiece of re-
spectacle pipe, 1t seems impossible to
associate that man with crime. But
the fact that had seen him selecting
a pistol in a pawnshop rather neutral
lied the good opinion was willing to
form. | have already expressed my
views upon the subject The sight of
him rather worried me, though |
could not reason why. Whittier was
he bound? Had he finally taken one
of Friard's pistols? For a moment |
was on the point Of speaking to him,
If only to hear him tell more lies
about the ten of hearts. but | wisely
put aside the temptation. Besides,
it might be possible that he would
not De glad to see me. | always avoid
the chance acquaintance, unless, of
course, the said chance acquaintance
Is met under favorable circumstances
like the girl in Mouauins, for in
stance! After all, It was only an in.
cident; and. but for his picking up
that card, never should have remem-
bered him.
Behind him sat a fellow with a
countenance as red and round and
complacent as an English butler's,-
red hair and small twinkling eyes.
Once he leaned over and spoke to my
chance acquaintance, who. without
turning his head thrust a match over
his shoulder. The man with the face
of a butler lighted the most villainous
pipe ever beheld. ! wondered II
they knew each other. But, closely
as watched / saw no sign from
either turned my collar up and
snuggled down. There was no need
OF his seeing me.
Then my thought reverted to the
ten of hearts again. Ny ten of hearts!
The wrinkle of a chill ran up and
down my spine! My ten of hearts.
Hastily took ont the card and ex-
amined the back of it. 1t was an I'M
commonly handsome back, represent
ing Diana, the moon, and the midnight
sky. A horrible supposition came to
me: supposng they looked at the
back as well as st the face of the
card? And again, supposing | was
miles away from the requisite color
and design? | was staggered Here
was a pretty fix! ! had never even
dreamed OF such a contingency. Hang
it! now wished ] had stuck to my
original plan, and gone to the theater.
Decidedly | was in for 1t; there was
no backing down at this late hour,
unless took the return train for Jer-
sey City; and l possessed too much
to surrender to any
such weakness. Either ! should pass
the door committee, or | shouldn't; OF
one thing ! was certain.
"Blankshire!" bawled the trainman;
then the train slowed down and finally
came to stop.
No turning back for me now.
picked up by suit case and got out. On
the platform ! saw the curio-shop fell
low again. Tramping on ahead, the
smell from his villainOus pipe assailing
my nostrils. was the man who had
asked for a match. The former stood
undecided for a moment, and during
this space OF time he caught sight Of
me. he became erect, gave me a sud
den sardonlc laugh, and swiftly dis
into the darkness. All this
was uncommonly disquieting; in vain
| stared into the blackness that had