Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-07
CHAPTER II.
Aunt Rehecca.

| No sooner was Mrs. Melville ushered
| into her section than the colonel went
through the train. He was not so
suspicious as he told himself he might
have been, with such dovetailing OF
circumstances into his accidentally
captured information; he couldn't
yet read villainy on that college lads
frank face But no reason. therefore.
to neglect precautions. Hope the
| best Of men and prepare for the
worst" was the old campaigners
/ motto.
A walk through the cars showed
him no signs of the two men. It was
tolerably complete inspection, too.
There was only one drawing-room or
stateroom Of which he did not manage
to get glimpse-the closed room be-
| ing the property Of very great finan-
| cial magnate, whose private car was
waiting for him in Denver. His door
was fast, and the click of the type
i writer announced the tireless industry
| of our rulers.
But If he did not find the college
boy or the man with the moles he did
get a surprise for his walk; namely,
the sight of the family of Haley, and
Haley himself beside their trig, bat
tered luggage, In q section of the car
next his own. Mrs. Haley turned .
| guilty red, while Haley essayed
stolid demeanor.
| "What does this mean?" demanded
the colonel.
"Haley felt he would have to go
with you, colonel" replied Mrs. Haley.
who had timid, wide, blue eyes and
the voice of bird, but courage I'M
der her panic, as birds have, too.
when their nests are in peril. We've
rinted the house to a good man with
grown-up children, and Haley can get
a job if you won't want him."
"Yis, sor,'' mumbled Haley. He was
standing at attention as was his wife,
the toddling Nora being held in the
posture of respect on the plush seat. a
"And I suppose you took the furni-
ture money to buy tickets?
"Yis. sor.''
"And you're bound to go with me!
"Yis, sor," said Haley.
"You ought to be ashamed Of your
self, sergeant" said the colonel; but
he was glad at the heart Of him fo
this mutinous loyalty.
Yes, sor,' said Haley.
"Well, since you are here, engage
you from to-day, you understand"
"Yis. sor," said Haley. Mrs. Haley
whimpered blessing; but the only
change in the soldier was that his mill
tary stolidity became natural and real
instead of forced.
.."sit down on this seat over here with
me and I'll tell you what I want.
Yesl fraud, letting me say good-by to
you"
81 didn't want to take the liberty,
sor, but you made me shake hands. I
was afraid you'd catch on, sor. IT'S
a weight OFF me moind, sor."
II dare say You always have your
way with me, you old mule. Now lis
ten; 1 want you to be on the watch
for two men"-thereupon the colonel
described his men, laying special
stress on the moles on the face OF one,
and the others dimple.
Having set Haley his tasks, he went
back to his car in better spirits
BY this time the train was moving.
He had seen his kinswoman and her
party enter; and he found the object
OF Mrs. Melville's darksome warnings
sitting with slender lad in the main
body Of the car Aunt Rebecca was In
the drawing room, her maid with her.
Mrs. Melville, who had already re-
vealed her presence, sat across the
aisle. She presented the colonel at
once, ..- --.---4-------------- :