Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-03-12
Langford
of the
3 Bars.
CHAPTER XVII.


An Unconventional Tea Party.
As the flames broke through the
roof. Langford came rushing up where
the group stood little apart from the
press.
Dick! I have been looking for you
everywhere" he cried. hoarsely.
whats the trouble. old man"
asked Gordon. quietly.
4 have something to tell you." said
Langford. In . low voice. Come
Quick-lets 90 back to your rooms.
Why, girls"
I'VE will 90. too" said Mary. with
quiet decision. She had caught Q
glimpse Of Red Sandsrson's face
through the crowd. and she thought he
had ieered at her. She had been
haunted BY the vague feeling that she
must have known the man who had
attempted to carry her ofE-that dread.
ful night: but she had never been able
20 concentrate the abstract. heetlhg
impressions into comprehensive sub.
stancs-nevsr until she had seen that
scar. and glancing away In terror saw
that Langford. too. had seen: but she
was not brave enough 20 lose herself
and Louise In the crowd where that
man was. She could not. He had
ieerod ut Louise. too. last night ut sup
per. They could not ask the protec.
tion Of Gordon and Langford back to
the hotel than. when Langford's
handsome. tanned face was white with
the weight Of what he had to tell.
1T will be best" no agreed. unex.
pectedly. "Coms--ws mDt hurry"
II was wiilistol's little girl" whom
-Aa-Asok under his-psssoual protection.
diving up the street In the teeth Of the
gale which blew colder every moment.
with force ana strength that kept
Mary half the time on her feet. A
gentler knight was 0ordon-though
~ manly. All was lark around the
premises. There was no one lurking
near. Everybody was dancing At
tendance an the courthouse holocaust.
Gordon felt for his keys.
"FIow good Il 10 to get out Of the
wind. tvhlspsrsd Louise. This pro.
ceeding smaeked % much Of the mys-
tsriou& that whispGins followed rs q
natural sequence.
They stepped within. II was inky
black;
Lock the door," said Langford. in
q low voice.
Gordon complied. surprised. but ask.
Ing no. question. He knew his friend.
and had faith In his judgment. Then
he lighted n lamp that stood on his
desk. fs
why aid goa Do that!" asked
Louise. grsyely.
"Whatf'
Lock the door"
II dat know" he answered. hon.
estly. FL didn't think you would no
tice th6,click. Ask Paul"
IN Nzpiain IN . minute" said Lang.
ford. BE stepped 70 the windows and
drew the blinds closely.
SNOW that have you SAFE" he said.
lightly, I'll confess I had an old
woman's. scare. Il came to me that
a. long q you are not. strictly speak.
Ing. on kind and loving terms with
every one west Of the Tiver-and this
being such an allround nasty night
anyway, Why, I'd just spirit you home
ana dive the charged atmosphere .
chance q clearing Q nttle."
Gordon looked u him steadily .
moment. His face did not pale. Yet
Ne knew that Langford had heard
or suspected-mors than he Intended
I q teli-then. u was good to rec him
shrug I'm shoulders in unconcsrn for
shs ssks u the two whitehead girls
Who 81 thsrs a his stiK once chairs.
.Yon are N 90 duRer. Paul" he
nsl6. A. prsisndsd annoyance. you
tfsat mS nks . child. ! won't stand
Il aiRiyE Hos'ii sss. Some day I'll
rebel Anh- -lhen-
.'nesixhils. IN just trot these
itdits haek 10 tAs hotsl." said Lang
ford. -hut 600 must premise to keep
your hsad inside We're nxturss until
~ have hat premise.
.',Rhsl lock Ne up and run on with
--zjI Tie iediesl gnsss not! Why
didn't We round 70 thnt way. I'd like
70 knoWf THIS Isn't Utah. Paul. You
can't have bctA."
Paul meant for hin % Ne low. then.
He was aisp IN q hurry b get the girls
away. Evidently The danger lay here.
mere vas . tlgAtsnins q the nrm
mouth and m emiaous sontraetion Of
ne plpils q ne eyss. He stirred the
nrs. fhsa jAmnsd . hngs. knotted
stiek Into ths shsst.troa stove u
seemed - 4 svsryho1y had Shsst-iron
stoves n els csnalFy. Ths los caught
Withi q Dlsannf Foar - - drsught
sSut nanss lsaDlag - o. ehinnog.
but panl mn|1 - nDuE~G1f 20 q,