The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-03-04


taken to task, and they fell so dismal
ly upon Joe's ear that he bestirred him
self and rose, to the delight of his mon
grel, who leaped upon him joyfully.
An hour later or thereabout the pair
emerged from the narrow stairway and
stood for moment blinking in the
fair sunshine, apparently undecided
which way TO go. The church bells
were silent. There was no breeze. The
air trembled a little with the deep pip
ings of the organ across the square,
and, save for that, the town was very
quiet. The paths which crossed the
courthouse yard were flecked with
steady shadow, the strong young foil
age OF the naples not moving, having
the air of observing the Sabbath with
propriety. The organ ceased to stir
the air, and all was in quiet yet
quiet which for Louden was not peace.
He looked at his watch and, without
intending ii, spoke the hour aloud, "A
quarter past IL" The sound Of his
own voice gave him a little shock.
He rose without knowing why, and as
he did so it seemed to him that he
heard close to his ear another voice, a
woman's, troubled and insistent, but
clear and sweet, saying:
Remember! Across Main street
bridge at noonv'
! 1t was so distinct that he started and
! looked round. Then he laughed. "Tl
be seeing circus parades next" His
| laughter fed, for, louder than the ring
| ing in his ears, Enthusiastically came the
/ strains Of faraway brass band which
had no existence on land or sea or in
the waters under the earth.
"Here!' he said to the monerel. eve
need a walk, I think. Let's you and
me move on before the camels turn
the corner"
The music followed him to the street,
where he turned westward toward the
river, and presently as he walked on.
/ tanning himself with his straw hat. 1t
| faded and was gone. But the voice he
had heard returned
Remember! Across Main street
bridge at noonr' it said again close to
his ear.
This time he did not start "All
right" he answered, wiping his fore
head eff you'll let me alone, I'll be
there"
At a dingy saloon corner near the
river a shabby little man greeted him
heartily and petted the mongrel. ''I'm
mighty glad you didn't go, after all,
joe" he added, with a frightening
face.
go where Happy?"
Mr. Fear looked grave. Don't you
rec'lect meetin' me last night?'
Louden shook his head. mo. Did
II"
The others jaw fell, and his brow
corrugated with self reproach "Well,
If that don't show what thick head
am! 1 thought We was all right er I'd
gone on with ye. Nobody cd "a walk
ed straighter ner talked straighter.
Said We was goin' to leave Capaau fer
good and didn't want nobody to know
It, Said We was goin' to take the 'leven
O'Clock through train fer the west and
told me | couldn't come to the deepo
with We. Said ye'd had enough O. Ca
naan and Of everything. 1 follered ye
part way to the deepo, but We turned
and made motion fer me to go back
and l done it because We seemed to be
kind Of in trouble, and l thought yeC
ruther be by yerself. Well, sir, it's
one on me-"
Not at ell" said Joe. 81 was al
right"
was YEP returned the other. "DC
remember. do ye?"
almost" Joe smiled family.
almost" echoed Happy, shaking hi
head seriously. 81 tell We, Joe. eff wa
you he began slowly, then paused
and shook his head again. He seemed
on the point of delivering some advice
but evidently perceiying the snobbish
ness of such q proceeding, or else con
WINGED by his own experience Of tn
futility Of it, he swerved to cheerful
ness:
81 hear the boys is all goin' to wor
hard fer the primaries. Mike says Y
got some chances ye don't know abou
He swears yen be the next mayor Q
Canaan"
Nonsense! Folly and nonsense, Hal
pyi That's the kind Of thing l used
think when l was q boy. But now
pshaw!" Joe broke off with tire
laugh. Tell them not to waste the
time! Are you going out to the Beac
this afternoon"
The little man lowered his eye
modify I'll be near there" he saic
scraping his patched shoe up and dow
: the curbstone. "That feller's in tow
ag'in"
! what fellow?"
, Nashville they call him. Eds IL
: name he give the hospital. Cory-hil
that 1 soaked the night you come bac
to Canaan. He's after Claudine TO 6
:, his evens with me. He's made raii
, somewheres and plays the spende
: And her-well, l reckon she's tire
waltin' table at the National Hous
tired O. me, too. 1 got a hint TIL
they're goin' out to the Beach togeth
this afternoon