Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-06
! h e Sp oi1ers !
{ By REX E. BEACH.
By REX E. BEACH.
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CHAPTER xx-{continued)

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CHAPTER XX-{Continued)
Shortz took the horses and answer
cd his employers questions curtly
1ashing q curious glance at Helen
linden other conditions the CIR
would have been delighted with the
place, for this was the quaintest spot
che had found in the north country
The madn room held bar and gold
scales, a rude table, and huge iron
heater. while Its walls and ceiling was
Sheeted with white cloth so cunning
y stitched and tackled that 1t seemed
q cavern followed from chalk. It was
hlled with trophies Of the hills, stun
ed birds and animals. skins and ant
lers, from which depended In care
less confusion, dog harness, snow
shoes, guns, and articles Of clothing
a door to the left led into the bunk
room where travellers had been wont
70 sleep in tiers three deep. To the
rear was kitchen and cache, to the
right a compartment which Strive
called the art gallery. Hero, free
reign had been allowed the former
owners artistic fancies, and he had
covered the place with pictures clip
per from gazettes of questionable re
pute until 1t was bewildering ar
rangement of pink ladies in tights
pugtlists in scanty trunks, prize bull
dogs. and other less moral characters
Of the sporting world.
"This is probably the worst com
rany you were ever In" Struve OBJ
served to Helen. with forced at
tempt at lightness.
"Are there no guests here! she
asked him. her anxiety very near the
surface.
Travel Is light at this time Of the
year They'll come in later, perhaps
IRE was burning in this pink room
where the landlord had begun spread
Ing the table for two, and It's warmth
was greatful to the girl. Her com
panion, thoroughly at ease, stretched
himself on Uncovered couch and
smoked.
Let me see the papers now, MIR
Struve, she began, but he put he,
Of.
No, not now Business must wait
on our dinner. Don't spoil our little
party. for there's time enough and tc
spare"
She arose and went to the window
unable to sit still. Looking down the
narrow gulch she saw that the noun
tains beyond were indistinct. for /
was growing dark rapidly. Dense
clouds had rolled up from the east
A rain-drop struck the glass before
her eyes, then another and another
and the hills grew misty behind the
toming shower. A traveller with pacl
on his back hurried around the corner
OF the building and past her to the
door. At his knock, Struve, who hat
been watching Helen through half
shut eyes. arose and went into the
other room.
Thank Heaven, some one has
GOMEZ she thought. The voices were
deadened to hum by the sod walls
till that Of the stranger raised Itself
III such indignant protest that she
distinguished his words.
ooh, i've got money to pay my
way. I'm no deadhead.'
Shortz mumbled something back.
II don't care If you are closed. I'm
tired and there's a storm coming"
This time she heard the landlords
refusal and the miners angry profan
ity. A moment later she saw the trav
eler plodding up the trail toward
town.
What does that mean?" she inquir
ed, as the lawyer re-entered.
Oh, that fellow is tough, and
shortz wouldn't let him in. He's care
full whom he entertains-there are sc
many mad men roaming the hills
The German came in shortly to light
the lamp. and, although she asked nc
further questions, Helen's uneasiness
Increased. She half listened to the
stories with which Sturve tried to en-
terrain her and ate little of the ex
tcellent meal that was shortly served
to them. Sturve, meanwhile, ate and
drank almost greedily, and the shad
owy, sinister evening crept along. A
strange cowardice had suddenly over
taken the girl; and If, at this late hour
she could have Withdrawn. she would
have done SO gladly and gone forth
to meet the violence of the tempest
But she had gone too far to retreat:
and, realizing that, for the pr esent
apparent compliance was her wisest
resource, she sat quiet, answering the
man with cool words while his eyes
grew brighter, his skin more flushed
his speech more rapid. He talked in
cessantly and with feverish gayesy
smoking numberless cigarettes and
apparently unconscious of tie flight d
time. At last he broke off suddenly
and consulted his watch, while Helen
remembered she had not heard SHORTY
in the kitchen for a long time Sudden
ly Strive smiled on her peculiarly
with confident cunning. As lie leered al
her over the disorder between them he
took from his pocket fat bundle
which be tossed to her.
New for the bargain, chr
j Ask the man to remove these
Dishes she said, as she undid the
parcel with clumsy fingers.
Il sent him away two hours ago.
said 5truve. arising as if to come tc
ker. She shrank back. but ne only
leaned across, gathered up the four