Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-04-10
Continued from last wssk.

ThlS breezy but otherwise unremark-
able item caught the attention Of one
Jack Bibbs. a gentleman possessed OF
much Ingenuity, some varied expert
ence. quite collection Of aliases and
passion for acquisition. He had re
celved no Invitation to the above men
toned social function, though he hoped
to profit thereby in ways best known
to himself.
Mr.. Michael Corrigan, returning from
business meeting In the city. took
the II o'clock train for Irvington and
west into the smoker, where he seated
himself and lighted short black pipe.
the pet aversion OF his refined broth
er-in-law, Jacob Renwyck, who visited
most Of his disgust upon his unfortu-
nate wife. His business transactions
In the city evidently pleased Uncle MI
chael vastly, for that gentleman kept
cbucklIng to himself and rubbing his
plump white hands In the manner of
one upon whom good fortune has de-
scended suddenly.
After a time his attention was ar
rested by two men on the seat oppo-
site him. They were engaged in a
whispered conversation while they ate
their lunch from brown paper parcel.
To casual observer there was moth
Ing unusual I'm the appearance OF the
two passengers. They were roughly
clad. unshaven and apparently poor.
having the air OF workingmen out OF
job. Mr.. Corrigan would probably
have not noticed them at all except
that one OF them-the better looking.
who II he had been shaved and well
rlad might have been called good look
ing-had slight cast In his eye, a
physical blemish which the old gentle
man had ever regarded as sort OF
wag. He saw the man only a moment
Or two before getting out OF the train.
and In the stress Of far more impor-
liant matters the incident passed out
of his mind. II was recalled later on.
lie was sitting on the front porch of
Restmore. where he had Just taken
luncheon, when tramp entered the
place and came timidly 10 the house.
begging for food In the usual profsa-
sional whine.
Mr.. Corrigan had small patience with
trsmps and was about to order him
of the place when something changed
his mind. The fellow had a cast In his
eye. He recognized him instantly. II
struck the old gentleman at once as
being singular that this man should
claim TO be starving when not two
hours before he had been eating heart
fly from brown paper parcel In the
by train-not inside of them. at any
rate-whlch was an additional cause
for suspicion. Uncle Michael deter
mined 10 investigate the matter fur.
ther. so he led the tramp to the back
OF the house. where a pla,e OF bread
and meat was set before HIN. He ate
sparingly FOR n hungry N y. but took
In the premises with q seemingly care
less eve, while th, recour' he gave OF
himself ~a~ far .ror sats~ss~'"ry. He
claimed 10 have cove tr~w 'ibnny on
foot rs was showh Nv the ~ stain
ed condition OF his shoea -hich was
clearly n lie, for NJ. Corrigan had
seen him travelling In an entirely oppo-
site direction and was more convinced
than ever that Il cast In the eye was
the brand OF scoundrel. He declined
70 give the fellow money and watched
him suspiciously until he left IN,
place, feeling lnstlnctively that some.
thing would bring him hnck again
Richard. who was sitting on the
lawn with Miss Harriet. had also seen
the tramp ms he llmped through the
open carriage gate Into the road, Blls
had ridden over 10 Tarrytown In quest
OF pipe tobacco for his master and
was stopped 10y The vagrant at the en-
trance OF the drive. Richard saw him
bend In his saddle, confer with the
man for Il moment or two, then turn
into the stable yard, Presently he re-
appeared and crossed TO his master
with the tobacco which he had Sc
cured
"Navy CRpstan, m lord" he stated
triumphantly, "the kind wot you
smokes ut 'ome. sir"
"Thanks,' said Richard. "By the
way, Bills. what was that queer look.
lng beggar saying TO you just nowT"
Bills started slightly, as one ashamed
OF being seen In such evil company
"oh, Imp Yes. sir, wy, q was
Rwskin' his way to the station. m lord,
A rum sort. calls i'm, sir, beggin'
your pardon for
"les, yes, Bllls," Richard reproved.
with u show OF impatience, THAT viii
DO, You may GO"
The valet bowed respectfully and
departed. while Miss Harriet looked
at her companion In polite surprise.
Why are you SO short with him p
she asked. To me he is perfectly de
llcious. don't believe he ever laugh
ed In all his life. dld hof"
Don't know, rm sure" drawled
Richard lazily 81 curb his tongue
from necessity. The fellow is inclined
to be loQuacious. At times l am forced
to-ah-slt ON him"
Miss Renwyck laughed
"Do you know" she said, you are