The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-29

Hut IL vas the other man who held
the colonel's eye. This man was
double the young mans age, or near
that; he was shorter, although still OF
fair stature, and slim OF build. His
face was oval in contour and deli
cate Of feature. Although he wore no
glasses. his brow had the far pucker
of a near.sighted man. There was a
mole on his cheek bone and another
Just below his ear Both were small
rather than large, and in no sense
dishguring; but the colonel noted
them absently, being in the habit of
photographing a man in a glance. The
face had beauty, distinction even. yet
about 1t hung some association, sinis-
ter as a poison label.
Now, where" said the colonel to
himself. where have seen that
man?P Almost instantly the clew
came to him. by Jove, it's the broth
er!" he exclaimed. Three years ago,
and he had almost forgotten; but here
was Cary Mercer-the name came to
him after a little groping-here ne
was again; but who was the pleasant
youngster with him? And what we're
they discussing with so little apparent
and 80 much real earnestness?
One of the colonel's physical gifts
was an extraordinary acuteness of
hearing. II passed the mark OF a fac
ulty and became a marvel Part Of
this uncanny power was really due
not to hearing alone, but to an alliance
with another sense, because Winter
had learned the lip language In his
youth; he heard gith his eyes as well
as his ears This combination had
made an unintentional and embar-
rassed eavesdropper out of an honest
gentleman number of times To set
or such evil tricks It had saved his
life once on the plains and had res
cued his whole command another time
in the Philippines. While he studied
the two faces sentence from the
younger man gripped his attention.
II was: Il don't mind the risk. but
] hate taking such an old woman's
money" N"i'i"
She has heap" answered the
other man carelessly; besides" He
added something with averted head
and In too low voice to reach the lis
tener unassisted But It was convin.-
ing. evidently, since the young mans
face grew both grave and stern. He
nodded, muttering: ooh, under
stand; ! wasn't backing water: know
We have lost the right to be squeam-
ism But say. old chap. how long
since Mrs. Winter has seen you?
Would she recognize you?"
The colonel, who had been about to
abandon his espionage as unbecoming
a soldier and a gentleman, slowed
away all his scruples at the mention
Of the name. He pricked up his ears
and sharpened his eye, but was careful
lest they should catch his glance. The
next sentence. owing TO the speakers
position. was inaudible and invisible !;
but he clearly caught the young mans
response:
You're sure they'll be on this
train?"
And he saw the interlocutor's head
nod.
The boys with them?"
An inaudible reply, but another nod
And you're sure of Miss Smith,"
This time the others profile was to-
ward the listener who heard the reply
Plumb sure. I wish | were as sure
OF some other things. Have we settled
everything? II is better not to be seen
together"
Yes. think you've put me wise on
the main points. BY tho way, what is
the penalty for kidnaping?"
Again an averted head end hiatus
followed by tAe younger mans spark
ling smile and exclamation: Wow
Riskier than football-and even more
Runl" Something further ne added
Ssut his arms hid his mouth as he
thrisst them into his greatcoat prepar
ing TO move away. lie went alone;
and the other, after moments
gloomy meditation, gathered up coat
and bag and followed During thai
moment OF arrested decision, however
his features mad dropped into sinister
lines which the colonel remembered
Dangerous customer. or miss m,
guess" mused the soldier who knew
the passions of men, Il wonder-they
couldn't mean my Aunt Rebecca'
Ghe's old; she has millions lt money
but she's not on this train. And there's
no Miss Smith in our deck. I'm 81
used 10 plotting go or on fake hikes
Probably I'm getting old snd dotty
Mercer. poor fellow. may nave BIZ
brain turned and be an anarchist or
bombihrower or dirty lidnaper 20
revengei but that boys a decent chap
1--WE licked toe many second lieuten
nnis into shape nof 20 know somethlnI
cg youngsters"
lie pushed the idea away; or. rather
his own problems pushed Il 0ua OF hi
mind, which went buck 20 his var,
snd his single iiving brother Aie
vile had no children. only his wife
daughters. who we're both married.
Melville having married widow vie
a family. an estate and a mind o2 he
own. Melville was a professor In
state university. a mild, learned ma
whom nature intended for science bu
whom his wife Was determined {