Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-07-04

pected an ambush. Porter ana BARK
house marched stolidly along. showing
little disposition to talk.
What's that?" | exclaimed, stop
ping TO listen.
What was it," asked Barkhouse,
as We stopped on the upper landing
and gazed into the obscurity.
Il thought l heard a noise" said l..
Who's there?"
1T was a rat" said Porter. 1--WE
heard 'em out here of nights"
We'll, just light that other gas jet"
| said. 1T will help to make things
pleasant in case Of accidents"
The doors came out Of the darkness
as the second jet blazed up, but moth
ing else was to be seen.
Suddenly there was a scramble. and
something sprang up before my door.
Porter and | raised the revolvers that
were ready in our hands, but Bark
house spring past us, and in an in
slant had closed with the figure and
held it in his arms.
There was volley of curses, oaths
mingled with sounds that reminded
me Of nothing so much as a splitting
cat, and familiar voice screamed In
almost inarticulate rage:
Let me go, damn, we, or I'll knife
ye."
Good heavens!" | cried Let her
go. Barkhouse. It's Mother Borton"
Mother Borton freed herself with a
vicious shake, and called down the
wrath Of Heaven and hell on the stall
wart guard.
You're the black-hearted spawn Of
the sewer rats. to take a respectable
woman like bag of meal" cried
Mother BortOn Indignantly. with a
fresh string OF oaths. Its fire and
birthstone you'll be tasting yet. and
you'd "a been there before now. you
miserable gutter-picker, il it wasn't
for me. And this Is the thanks | git
from ye!"
Come ill.," / said, unlocking the
door and lighting up my room. You
can be- as angry as you like in here.
and it won't hurt anything"
Mother BortOn stormed a bit. and
then sullenly walked in and took a
chair. Silence fell on her as she
crossed the threshold. but she glover
cred on us with fierce eyes.
ITS quite an agreeable surprise to
see YOU" | ventured as cheerfully as l
could. as she made no move to speak.
My followers looked awkward and I'M
comfortable.
At the sound Of my voice, Mother
Borton's bent brows relaxed a little.
IF you'd send these fellows out.
reckon we could talk a bit better"
she said sourly.
Certainly. Just wait in the hall,
boys; and close the door"
Porter and Barkhouse ambled out,
and Mother Borton gave her chair a
hitch that brought us face to face.
Il reckon you don't think | come on
visit of perliteness?" she said sharp
ly after a brief silence.
| murmured something about being
glad to entertain her at any time.
Nonsense" she shifted. I'm a vile
old woman that the likes of you would
never put eyes on twice If it wasn't
for your busineSS-none knows it bet
ter than me- don't know why | should
put myself out to help ye." Her tone
had a touch of pathos under its hard
ness.
Il know why" l said, little touch
ed. ITS because you like me"
She turned a softened eye on me.
You're right" she said almost ten
derby with a fash Of womanly feeling
on her scanned and evil face. I've took
a fancy to We and no mistake, and I'd
risk something to help ye.'
Il knew you would l said heart
lily.
And that's what come to do" she
said with sparkle of pleasure ia her
eye. I've come to warn ye.'
New dangers" | inquired cheer
fully. My prudence suggested that
had better omit any mention Of the
warning from Dicky Nal |.
The same ones" said Mother Bort
on shortly, only more Of EN-"
What is the latest plotT" [ asked
gravely, as | fancied that my light
manner grated on my strange guest.
81 don't know" she said slowly.
But you know something"
argued.
Maybe you know what know bet
ter than l knows it myself" growled
Mother Borton with significant
glance.
l resigned myself to await her hui
NOR.
Not at all" said l carelessly. 81
only know that you've come to tell me
something. and that you'll tell it in
your own good time"
IT'S fine to see that you've learned
not to drive woman" she returned
with grim irony. It's something to
know at your age"
l smiled sympathetically upon her,
and she continues:
II might as well tell ye the whole
of it, though l reckon my throats as