Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1907-12-28
CHAPTER XIII.
Silent Murphy.

Murphy
Erant sprang forward, all doubt re-
garding this young woman instantly
dissipated by those final words of mis-
chievous mockery. She had been play
ing with him as unconcernedly as if
he were a mere toy sent for her
amusement and his pride was stung.
But pursuit proved useless. Like
a phantom she had slipped away amid
the underbrush, leaving him to foun-
der blindly in the labyrinth. His in
cautious foot slipped along the steep
edge of the shelving bank, and he
went down, half stumbling, half slid
ing, until he came to sudden pause
chase was ended, and he sat up, con-
fused for the moment, and half ques-
tioning the evidence of his own eyes.
A small tent, dirty and patched,
stood with it's back against the slope
of earth down which he had plunged.
Its flap flung aside revealed within a
pile of disarranged blankets, together
with some scattered articles of wear
ing apparel, while just before the
opening, his back pressed against the
supporting pole, an inverted pipe be-
tween his yellow, irregular teeth, sat
withered, dried-up fellow, whose age
was not to be guessed, having a skin
as yellow as parchment, drawn in
tight to the bones like that of
mummy, his eyes deep sunken like
wells, and his head totally devoid of
hair, although about his lean throat
there was copious fringe of iron-gray
beard, untrimmed and scraggy. Down
10 of oh
Hvid scar, while his nose was turned
awry.
He sat staring at the newcomer,
unwinking. his facial expression de-
void of interest, but his fingers open
ing and closing in apparent nervous
ness. Twice his lips opened, but moth
ing except peculiar gurgle sound is
sued from the throat, and Brant, who
by this time had attained his feet and
his self-possession, ventured to adj
dress him.
Nice quiet spot for camp" he re-
for a tumble
The Sunken eyes expressed nothing
but the throat gurgled again painfully
and finally the parted lips dropped
detached word or two. blame
pretty girl-that."
The lieutenant wondered how much
of their conversation this old mummy
had overheard, but he hesitated to
question him. One inquiry, however,
sprang to his surprised lips. DO you
know herr
Damn sight-better-than any one
around here-know her-real name"
Brant stared incredulousIy do you
mean to insinuate that that young
woman is living in this community I'M
der an assumed one? Why. she is
scarcely more than child, What do
you mean, MANI
The soldiers hat still rested on the
grass where it had fallen, its military
insignia hidden.
Il guessI know-what know"
the fellow muttered 'What's-your
-regiment?''
Seventh cavalry"
The man stiffened up as if an cleo
trio shock had swept through his limp
frame THE helli-and-did-sh
call you-Brant?"
The young officers face exhibited
his disgust Beyond doubt that Sc
questered nook was a favorite loung-
ing spot for the girl, and this disrepu-
table creature had been watching her
for some sinister purpose.
so you have been eavesdropping.
have your" said Brant, gravely. And
now you want to try a turn at defam-
ing woman? Well, you have come
to poor market for the sale of such
goods l am half inclined to throw
you bodily into the creek i believe
you are nothing but a common liar.
but I'll give Won one chauco-vorr cav
you know her real name What is it ?''
The eyes of the mummy had become
spiteful. -It's-none of-your damn
business I'm-not under-your orders"
Under my orders. OF course not:
but what do you mean by that? Who
and what are you?"