The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-07-13

had so abruptly put in an appear
ance few minutes back.
1t had not been a pleasant ex-
preston. To the contrary, Rand
misliked it exceedingly, and made
little doubt that the ex-manager
had overheard the latter part Of
Rand's conversation with Peggy
Grierson.
Also there had been in Wheel
ock's manner suggestion OF
familiarity when he had addressed
the girl-a lack of respect and a
discourtesy that indicated very
plainly the mans deficiency in
good breeding. 1t made Rand's
blood boil to hear the girl spoken
to in any terms but those of the
utmost Difference and respect.
The more he thought it over, the
less he liked the situation that he
was leaving behind him. Wheel
ock, Rand now felt convinced, was
the man responsible for the shoot
ing of the girls horse the previous
night. If that were truth, there
was no reason we believe that
Wheelock would be any less likely
to resort to such extreme meas
ures again, and at once, if he felt
that his Observation-Disclosures they
might be-demanded such a
course.
DAMN" said Rand thought
fully.
beg yo' pardon, sah?" inquired
Hinton, starting from deep med
itation.
Rand looked him over, ponder
ing the advisability of taking the
man into his confidence, of inform
ing him concerning the strange af-
fair of vice. But, upon some i'm
pulse. the younger man refrained.
For one thing, he was not sure; it
was not Rand's way to condemn
man, however much he might
dislike him, wholly upon circum-
stantial evidence.
81 don't know" he admitted to
himself; 81 may be totally wrong
and there's no use stirring up trou-
BILE for Wheelock, anyway, if he is
disposed to behave himself in the
future. But, on the other hand,
Il think III do something l never
did before; III play the spy-for
this once"
He halted his horse, and slipped
out of the saddle, handing the
rens to Hinton, who regarded him
with open-eyed amazement
BEG yo' pardon, sah," said the
older man, "but what air yo' gwine
TO do-if 'taint no impertinent
question:
1T isn't" said Rand, serenely
I'm just going to walk back. | feel
as If the exercise might do me
good. Besides, want to be alone
for a little while and think some
things out at my leisure. You
take the horse back to the house,
and III be with you before long"
Hinton hesitated a moment
Then:
took hyeh, Misteh Rand, sab"
be said. may | inquiah if yo' are
AHMED. ssh?"
"Cegaainly you may, Hinton.
&pie fAal that. III tell you frank
( " 1te tgGth the whole truth, and
nQttSax Dat the truth" Rand
Z Ia gAee g! am not armed" he
. sS1aa
WAN pr accept the loan Of my
iserotreh. shen, sah?''
"%bz1 far"
IL cass 80 should meet up with
,het damned gcoundrel, Wheelock,
sat. lie don't got any use for yo',
sah. ard he might be tempted to do
something reckless, sah.'
oh. nonsense!' said Rand. I'm
not afraid Of Wheelock."
"Ah knows yo' amt, sab, and
thet's why I'm a-warnin' yo'."
Moreover" argued Rand, he is
too much of 2 coward -
Certainly he is, sah-certainly
he is. And coward is just the
| precise soht of man who'll steal
| up benin yo' and plug you in the
small af the back with a fohty-fo'
caliber bullet, sab" Hinton shook
his head disputatiyely, and at.
tempted to force the butt Of his re-
volver &into Rand's hand; but the