Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-03-12

robes over two OF tho chairs and
pushed them close up to the stove.
II haven't an easy chair in the house
prove II 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 70.
move your coats"
Thank you--you are very kind"
said Louise. mo. I won't take on my
Jacket" q spot Of color staining her
check when she thought of her gay
kimono. Involuntarily. she felt of her
throat to make sure the mufier had
not blown awry. I'VE shall be going
soon. shant we. Mr.. Langford! II
Mr.. Gordon 10 In any danger. you must
stay with him and let us 90 alone. II
10 not far"
Surely" said Mary. with q big rink.
Ing Of the heart. but meaning what
she said.
mot ut ALL" said Gordon. decidedly.
IT'S Just his womanish way Of boss.
Ing me. I'll rebel some day. Just
wait! Dut before you 90. Ill make
ten. You must have gotten chilled
through.
He would keep them here 4 while
and then Let them go-wlth Langford.
The thought made him feel cheap and
cowardiy and sneaking. Far rather
would he step out boldly and take MS
chances. But II there was to be any
shooting, II must be where Louise
and Mary, too-was not. He believed
Paul, In his zeal. had exaggerated evil
omens, but there was Louise In his
bachelor room-where he had never
thought to 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 assaii her that night-that night.
when she had gloriaed his lonely habi'
tation-even though he himself must
stink into o corner like q cowardfy
cur. A strange citation took possession
OF him. She was here. He thought OF
last night and seemed to walk on air.
II he won out maybe-but. fool that
he was! what was there In this rough
land for q girl like-Louise?
"Oh, NO, that will be too much
trouble" gasped Louise. in some alarm
and thinking Of Aunt Helen.
Thanks. old man. we'll stay" spoke
ND Langford. cheerfully. He makes
excellent tea-really. I've tried 1t be-
fore. You will never regret staying"
Silently he watched his friend in the
inner room bring out q battered tea
kettle. All It with q steady hand and
put II on the stove In the ONCE. 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
ly interested In the housekeeping ar
rangements Of o genuine bachelor 60.
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 was disarranged but
clean. Wearing apparel was srewn
over the chairs and tables. There was
q litter Of magazines on the floor. She
laid them up against Langford; she
did not think Gordon had the time OF
inclination to cultivate the magazine
habit. She did not know to whose
weakness to ascribe the tobacco pouch
and brier-wood pipe placed invitingly
by the side Of pair Of gay. elaboratet
" bead-smbroidere rnoccasins. coziiy
slowed away under the head Of che
bed; but she was rather inclined TO
lay these. too. to Langford's charge.
The bowling tempest outside only
served 10 enhance the coziness Of the
runbling hre and the closely drawn
blinds. -
But tea was never served In those
bachelor rooms that night-neither
that night nor ever again. It was q
little dream that went up In fame
with the walls that harbored II Who
frst bocama conscious that the tang
Of smoke was gradually Aliing their
nostrils, Il was hard TO tell. They
were not far behind each other In that
consciousness. II was Langford who
discovered that the trouble was q
the rear. where the wind would soon
have the whole building Tanned into
flames. Gordon unlocked the door
Quistly. He said nothing. But Paul.
springing IN front q him. himself
threw Il open. II was no new dodgs.
this burning . man out to shoot him
a. one would drown out q gopher for
the killing. He need not have been
afraid. The alarm had spread. The
street IN froat was rapidly filling.
One would hardly have dared 10 shoot
-then-if oas had meant 20. And ~
aid not know. he oniy knew TIN
dsviltry had ben n ne alr icr Cor.
doa that niSkl Ne ~ e1.gp.,se
more than - - oE1Ihr1lA y, y
I'D -. N ~ nl2 -