The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-03-19


of us, with faces cut out of the news
papers-of course, all our pictures
were in the papers-and they had the
audacity and the meanness to picture
me in-in the garments of night"
THAT was pretty tough. But where
does Miss Smith come in?"
"She was at the convention. She is
Daughter. I've always said we are
too lax in our admissions"
"Who drew the picture?"
ut may not be Miss Smith, but
she does draw. Pm sure that she
worked against me; she covered up
her footprints so that l have no proof;
but suspect her. She's deep, BERTHE,
she's deep. But she can't hoodwink
me. I'll find her out"
The colonel experienced the embar-
rassment that is the portion of rash
man trying to defend one woman
against another; he retreated because
he perceived defense was in vain;
but he did not feel his growing opinion
of Miss Smiths innocence menaced by
Mrs. Melville's convictions.
She played too square a game for
kidnaper-and Smith was the COM
monest of names. No. there must be
some explanation; Rupert Winter had
lived too long not to distrust the plaus-
ible surface clew. ut is the improba-
BILE that always happens, and the i'm
possible most of the time" Aunt Re-
l,a1 10 ftIIif q
with her whimsical phrase.
Nothing happened to arouse his sus-
picions that day. Haley reported that
Cary Mercer was going on to San
Francisco. The conductor did not
know his name; he seemed to know
Mr.. Keatcham and was with him in
his drawing-room most of the time.
Had the great man a secretary with
him? Yes, he seemed to have, little
fellow who had not much to say for
himself, and jumped whenever his
boss spoke to him. There was also
valet, an Englishman, who did not re-
spond properly to conversational over
lures. They were all going to get on
at Denver.
Haley was not misinformed, as the
colonel perceived with his own eyes
and he saw Cary Mercer bow in part
ing to the great man, who requited the
low salute with a gruff nod. Here was
an opportunity for nearer glimpse OF
Mercer, possibly for that explanation
in which Winter still had lurking
hope. He caught Mercer just in the
car doorway, and politely greeted him:
"Mr. Mercer l think? You may not
remember me, Col. Winter. I met you
in Cambridge, three years ago"
1t seemed brutal thing to do, to re-
call a meeting under such circum-
stances; but If Mercer could give the
explanation he would excuse him; 1t
was better than suspecting an inno-
cent man. But there was no oppor-
tunity for explanation. Mercer turned
a blank and coldly suspicious face to-
ward him. 81 beg pardon" he said In
his southern way, 81 think you have
made a mistake in the person.
"And are you not Mr.. Cary Mercer?"
The colonel felt the disagreeable re-
semblance of his own speeches to
those made in newspaper stories by
the gentleman who wishes his old
friend to change $50 bill or to en-
gage in an amusing game with Thin
BILE. Mercer saw it as well as ne.
TRY some one from the country" he
remarked with an unpleasant smile,
brushing past, while the color mounted
to the colonel's tanned cheek. THE
next time you meet me-" Rupert Win
ter vowed, you'll know me-"
A new porter had come on at Den
yer; light brown, chubby, bald man
with face that radiated friendliness.
He was filled with the desire for con-
versation, and he had worked on the
road for eight years, hence could sup
Element "Over the Range" and the 9th
err guide books with personal gossip. He
showed marked Difference to the col
onel, which that unassuming and d.
rect man could not quite fathom, until
Archie enlightened him. Archie
smiled queer, chewed-up smile which
the colonel hailed with:
why are you making fun of me,
young MANI"
Its Lewis, the porter; he follows
you round and listens to you in such
an awestruck way"
But why?"
'Why, Sergt. Haley told him about
you; and 1 told him little, and he
says he wishes you'd been on the train
when they had the hold-ups. This is
an awful road for hold-ups, he says.
He's been at five hold-ups."
And what does he adviser"
ooh. he says. hold up your hands
and they won't hurt you"
well, l reckon his advice is
sound" laughed the colonel. See
you follow 1t, Archie"
shall you hold up your hands.
Uncle Bertie?" asked Archie.
Much the wisest course; these fell