The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-05-14
an /

trophies of the t~xE
animals, skins an,
depended in car
harness, o0--
of clothing. A doGI
the bunk room, W.T. dQd Sore
been wont to sleep Il. the fami
To the rear was kitchen.
to the right a compartmeFot
Struve called the art gallerHadt
free reign had been allowed til
nal owners artistic fancies, aa,
had covered the place with pct
clipped from gaZettes Of quest
repute till 1t was a bewilf
rangement Of mink ladies' IN
gilists in scanty trunks. prz, IS
snd other less moral character the
sporting world.
This is probably the worst eompa-
ny you were ever in," Struve observed
to Helen, with a forced attempt at
lightness.
"Are there no guests here:' she ask
ed him, her anxiety very near the sur
face.
Travel Is light at this time Of the
year. They'll come in later perhaps
| A fire was burning in this pink room
where the landlord had begun spread
ing the table for two, and its warmth
was grateful to the girl. Her compan-
lon, thoroughly at his ease. stretched
himself on a fur covered couch and
smoked.
LET me see the papers now, Mr.
Struve," she began. but he put her of.
mo, not now. Business must wait
on our dinner. Don't spoil our little
party. for there's time enough and to
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 It
was growing dark rapidly. Dense
clouds had rolled up from the east
A raindrop struck the glass before her
eyes, then another and another, and
the hills grew misty behind the COM
ing shower A traveller with pack
on his back hurried around the corner
Of the building and past her to the
door. At his knock Struve, who had
been watching Helen through half shut
eyes, arose and went into the other
room.
THANK heaven, some one has come
she thought. The voices were dead
ened to a hum by the sod walls till
that Of the stranger raised itself in
such indignant protest that she distin-
guished his words.
ooh, I've got money to pay my way!
I'm no deadhead."
Shortz mumbled something back.
81 don't care II you are closed. I'm
t.ed, and there's storm coming"
This time she heard the landlords
refusal and the miners angry profani-
ty. 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 80
many bad men roaming the hills
The German came in shortly to light
the lamp, and, although she asked no
further questions, Helen's uneasiness
increased. She half listened to the sto-
ries with which Struve tried to enter
tain her and ate little Of the excellent
meal that was shortly served to them.
Struve meanwhile ate and drank al
most greedily, and the shadowy, sinis-
ter evening crept along. A strange
cowardice had suddenly overtaken the
Girl. and II 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 for retreat, and. realizing
! that for the present apparent compli-
| ance 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 incessantly and with
feverish gayety. smoking numberless
cigarettes and apparently unconscious
of the fight of time. At last he broke