The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-31

Nevertheless. Rupert Winters first
conscious sensation was not depres-
sion, only 3 little tingle OF interest aud
excitement, such as stings PLEASANTLY
one who rises to q prospect Of con.
fiict in which he has the confidence OF
mis- own strength t"Bys Jove" he
wondered. whatever makes me feel
so kiddish?"
His first impulse was 70 peep
through his curtains into the car II
wore it's early morning aspect of muf-
fled berths and stuffy curtains. among
which Miss Smiths trig. carefully fin
ished presence I'm a fresh white shirt
waist, attended by the pleasant whlffs
OF cologne water. gave the beholder
certain refreshing surprise One hand
white and firm and beautifully cared
forl held a wicker bottle. source OF the
pleasant whiffs: her sleek black
braids were coiled about her comely
head, and the hair grew very prettily
IN a blunted point on the creamy nape
of her neck. 1t was really dark brown
hair, but It looked black against the
whiteness of her skin. She had very
capable.looking shoulders, the colonel
noted. and a fiat back perhaps she
wasn't pretty. but in a long while he
had not seen more attractive looking
woman. she made him think OF a
Bonne Celine rose. somehow He
could hear her talking to some one be
hind the berth's curtains Could those
dolefui means emerge from Archie?
Could q Winter boy be whimpering
about the jar Of the train in that
fashion? Immediately he was aware
that the sufferer was Randall, for Miss
Smith spoke: Bring the tea, and lie
down again. I'll attend to Mrs Winter.
Don't you worry"
Getting solid with Randall" com
mented the colonel. Which is She
kind-hearted or an accomplished vii
lainess? Well, it's interesting, any
how"
BY the time he had made his toilet
the train was Stacking speed ready to
halt in Council Bluffs. and all his sus-
picions rushed ON deck again at the
sight Of Miss Smith and Archie walk
ing outside.
lie Joined them. aud he had 10 admit
that Miss Smith looked as pleased as
Archie at his appearance. Nor did
she send a single furtiye glance. slant
ing or backward, while they walked
In the crisp, clean air Once the train
had started and Miss Smith was In the
drawing.room breGkfasting with Mrs.
Winter and Archie, he politely attend
ed Mira. Millicent through the morning
meal in the diningcar. II was so
good a meal that he naturally al.
though illogically thought better OF
Miss Smiths prospects of innocence; ;
and cheerily he sought Haley. He
found him in the smoking compart-
ment Of the observation car. having
for companions no less personages
than the magnate and distinguished
looking New Englander, who, Rupert
Winter made no doubt, was Harvard
professor Of rank and renown among
his learned kind He knew the ear
marks of the species The New Eng
landers pencil was flying over little
improvised pad of telegraph blanks,
while he listened with absorbed inter
est TO Haley's rich irish tones. There
was little sidewiso lunge of Haley .
mouth, q faint twinkle OF IIaley's frank
and simple eyes which the colonel ap-
praised at very nearly their real value.
He knew that II isn't IN lrish-Ameri-
can nature to perceive a wide-open ear
and not put something worth hearing
into IT, Besides, his sharp ears had
brought him a key to the discourse, a
sorrowful remark Of the sergcants as
he entered yes. sor. thin wather
torchures is terrible,'
He glanced susplciously from one Of
Haley's audience TO the other The
newspaper cartoonist had pictured on
all kinds of bodies of preying crea
lures. whether of the earth or air. the
high brows. the round head, the deli
cate features. the thin checks the
straight line of the mouth, and the
mild, inexpensive eyes OF the man be
fore him. lie had been extolled as a
far-sighted benefactor Of the world
and execratcd picturesquely as the
king OF pirates who would scuttle the
business Of his country without a
/ qualm.
Winter. amid his own questioningt
and problems, could not help z
scrutiny Of man whose power was
greater than that Of medieval kings
I lie sat consuming q cigarette, more
( between his fingers than his lips; and
I glancing under dropping eyelids from
1 questioner TO narrator. At the colonel'i
entrance he looked up, as did Haley
] who rose to his feet with an uncon
scious salute. I'D be glad to spak'
wild youse a minnit, If ] might gen
eral," said Haley. about where | pS
your dress-shute case. sor."
The colonel, of course, did not ez
peet any remarks about n SUITCASE
when he got Haley by himself at th'
observation end OF the car. but VIVA
he did get was OF sufficient import e
drive out of his mind a curt lectur'
about blackening the reputation Of th'
army with lies about the Philippines
Haley had told him that he had seel
the man wiki the two moles on hi
face jump out OF his own car al Couu
/ eli Bluffs. He had simply stood on tn