Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-14

AOu are al oid uuUer, PAU. ne
said. In pretended annoyance. You
treat me like child. l won't stand
1t always. You1l see. Some day III
rebe1--and-then--
Meanwhile, III Just trot these
ladies back TO the hotel" said Lang.
ford. but you must promise to keen
your head inside. We're fixtures until
We have that promise"
What, lock me up and run on with
all the ladies'! guess not, Why
didn't we round up that way. I'd like
to know? This isn't Utah. Paul You
can't have both"
Paul meant for him to lie low. then.
He Was also in hurry to get the xirls
away. Evidently the danger lay here.
There was a tightening OF the firm
mouth and an ominous contraction OF
the pupils OF the eyes. He stirred the
IRE. then jammed a huge, kuotted
stick into the sheet-iron stove II
seemed as II everybody had sheet-iron
stoves in this country. The log caught
with pleasant roar as the draught
sent flames leaping up the chimney.
But Paul made no movement to 20.
Then he. Gordon. had not understood
his friend. Maybe the menace was
not here, but outside. II so. he must
contriye 20 keep his guests interested
here He would leave the lead
Paul. Paul knew. He went back 20
his living-room and returned. bringing
two heavy buggy robes.
You will find my bachelor way OF
living very primitive" he said. with
HIS engaging smile. He arranged the
robes over two OF the chairs and
pushed them close ND to the stove
Il haven't an easy chair in the house
prove IL by Paul. here. Haven't
time to rock. and can't afford TO run
the risk OF cultivating slothful habits
Take these, do" he urged. and re-
move your coats"
Thank you--you are very kind"
said Louise. NO. won't take OF nv
jacket" spot Of color staining her
check when she thought OF her CAV
kim0no. Involuutarlly. She felt OF her
throat 70 make sure the muller had
not blown awry. we shall be going
soon. shant we. Mr.. Iaugford7 II
Mr.. Gordon is in any danger. you must
stay with him and let Us go alone. II
is not far"
Surely" said Mary. with a big sink
Ing % the heart, but meaning what
she said.
Not 70 all" said Gordon. decidedly.
IT'S just bis womanish way OF boss.
ing me. I'll rebel some day. Just
wait! But before you 40. III make
tea. You must have gotten chilled
through.
He would keep them here while
and then let them go-with Langford.
The thought made him feel CHEAP and
cowardly and sneaking. Far rather
would he step out boldly and take his
chances. But n there was TO be any
shooting. IL must be where Louise
and Mary. too-was not. lie believed
Paul. in his zeal. had exaggerated evil
omens. but there was Louise in his
bachelor room-where he had never
thought 20 see her: there with her
cheeks flushed with the proximity TO
the stove-his stove-her fair hair
wind-blown. No breath OF evil thing
must assail her that night-that night.
when she had glorihed his lonely habi-
tation-evcn though he himself must
stink into a corner like cowardly
cur. A strange citation took possession
OF him. She was here. He thought OF
last night and seemed TO walk on air.
II he woG oct maybe-but, fool that
he was, what was there IN this rough
land for a girl like-Louise?
trouble" gasped Louise. in some alarm
and thinking OF Aunt Helen.
Thanks. old man. well stay" spoke
up Langford. cheerfully. He makes
excellent tea-really. I've tried Il be-
fore. You viii never regret staying"
Silently he watched his friend In the
inner room bring out a battered tea
kettle. I'LL II with a steady hand and
put IL on the stove in the Office. com
ing and going carelessly. seemingly
conscious OF nothing In the world but
the comfort OF his unexpected guests.
True TO her sex. Louise was curious
~ interested In the housekeeping ar
rangements Of a genuine bachelor es-
tablishment. Woman-like she saw
many things in the short time she was
there-but nothing that diminished
her respect for Richard Gordon.
The bed In the inner chamber where
both men slept vas disarranged but
clean. Wearing apparel was strewn
over the chairs and tables. There was
litter Of magazines on the floor. She
laid them up against Langford; she
did not think Gordon had the time or
inclination TO cultivate the magazine
habit. She did not know TO whose
weakness 10 ascribe the tobacco pouch
and brier-wOod pipe placed invitingly
by the side Of a pair OF gay. elaborate
~ bead-embroidered moccasins, cozily
slowed away under the head OF the
bed; but she was rather inclined to
lay these, too, to Langfords charge
The bowling tempest outside only
served TO enhance the coziness Of the
rumbling fire and the closely drawn
blinds.
But tea was never served In those
bachelor rooms that night-neither
that night nor ever again. II was a
little dream that went up in flame
with the walls that harbored IL. Who
frst became conscious that the tang
OF smoke was gradually filling their