The log cabin Democrat., 1909-11-13

With another sense, because Winter had learned the lip language in his youth; he heard with his eyes as well as his ears. This combination had made an unintentional and embar- rassed eavesdropper out of an honest gentleman a number of times. To set off such evil tricks 1t had saved his life once on the plains and had res cued his whole command another time in the Philippines. While he studied the two faces a sentence from the younger man gripped his attention. It was: 'T don't mind the risk, but money"
 She has heap" answered the other man carelessly; "besides-" He added something with averted head and in too low voice to reach the lis tener unasssted. But 1t was convinc- ing, evidently, since the young mans face grew both grave and stern. He nodded, muttering: "Oh, under stand; I wasn't backing water; know we have lost the right to be squeam- ish. But I say, old chap, how long since Mrs. Winter has seen you? Would she recognize you?"
 The colonel, who had been about to abandon his espionage as unbecoming a soldier and a gentleman. slowed away all his scruples at the mention of the name. He pricked up his ears and sharpened bis eye, but was careful 1nc bnp cb tch Olu Ia next sentence, owing to the speakers position, was inaudible and invisible; but he clearly caught the young mans response:
 You're sure they'll be on this train?"
 And he saw the interlocutor's head nod.
 The boys with them?"
 An inaudible reply, but another nod
 And you're sure of Miss Smith?"
 This time the others profile was to- ward the listener who heard the reply: Plumb sure. I wish I were as sure of some other things. Have we settled everything? It is better not to be seen together"
 Yes, I think you've put me wise on the main points. By the way, what is the penalty for kidnaping?"
 Again an averted head and hiatus, followed by the younger mans spark ling smile and exclamation: Wow! Riskier than football-and even more fun!" Something further he added. but his arms hid his mouth as he thrust them into his greatcoat, prepar- ing to move away. He went alone; and the other, after moments gloomy meditation, gathered up coat and bag and followed. During that moment of arrested decision, however. his features had dropped into sinister lines which the colonel remembered.
 Dangerous customer, or I miss my guess" unused the soldier, who knew the passions of men. T wonder-they couldn't mean my Aunt Rebecca? She's old; she has millions of money but she's not on this train. And there's no Miss Smith in our deck. I'm so used to plotting go off on fake hikes! Probably I'm getting old and dotty. Mercer, poor fellow, may have his brain turned and be an anarchist or a bomb-thrower or a dirty kidnaper for revenge; but that boys decent chap; I've licked too many second lieuten- ants into shape not to know something of youngsters"
 He pushed the idea away; or, rather, his own problems pushed it out of his mind, which went back to his ward and his single living brother Mel vile had no children, only his wife's daughters, who were both married Melville having married a widow with a family, an estate and a mind of her own. Melville was a professor in a state university, mild, learned man whom nature intended for science but whom his wife was determined to make into the president of the uni versity.
 Even money which will win" chuckled Rupert Winter to himself "Millicent hasn't much tact; but she has the perseverance of the saints. She married Mel; he doesn't know. but she surely did. And she bosses iiiiii ho"' NOil, I suppooc hti llhCS to be bossed; he never had any strenu- ous opinions except about the canals of Mars-Valgame dios!" With gasp the colonel sprang to his feet. There before him, in the flesh. was his sister-in-law. Her state ly figure, her Roman profile. her grace fully gesticulating hand, which indi- cated the coloners position to her heavily laden attendant, lad in blue these he knew by heart just as he knew that her toilet for the journey would be in the latest mode, and that she would have the latest fashion of gait and mien. Millicent studied such things.
 She waved her luggage into place an excellent place-in the same breath dismissing the porter and instructing him when he must return. Then, but not until then, did she turn graciously to her brother-in-law
 T hoped that I should find you, Bertie," she said in voice of such creamy richness that it was hard to