Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-08-26


younger mans face, w0vered. piaiuly
ir,rrcsieG. but SIN wondering
"Quick. I'm not patient tonight"
No lon~ar was Calendar - two
minds In die face or kirkwood's az.
tstrtc there was but one course 80 hc
followed that Of obedience. Calendar
turro0dCrcd an uNtenGblc position as
gracefully ne could Ne wished.
"i-eriess YOU know what you mean
by this" lie snid, rendering the weapon
as per instructions. "rm ,doggoned If
/ do. You1l allow certain latitude
IN consideration % my relief can't
say we We're anticipating this-ah-
heaven sent visitation"
Accepting the revolver with his left
hand ana settling his fore finger on
tho tri Tiger. Kirkwood beamcd with
pure enjoy meut. He found the defer.
ence OF the older man. tempered
though Il WINS by his indomimblc
swngger refreshing IN the extreme
"a littlu appreciation isn't exactly
ont OF place. come 20 think OF IT." he
commented. adding, with an eye for
the captain. "strykcr, you bold. bad
butterfly. have you got gun conceal
ed about your unclean person.
The captain shook visibly with con.
triton. NO, MIR. Kirkwood," hc man
aged To reply in n voice singularly lack
ing I'm his wontcd buster.
Say SIR" suggested Kirl1wood.
"No. Mr. Kirkwood, sir" amended
Strykcr eagerly
"Now. come round here and let's
have IA look NJ you. Please stay whore
You are. Calendar. Why, captain. YOU
are shiveTing from head Ia foot! mot
All are you, you wag? step over 10
the table there. Stryi1er ana turn out
your pockets, turu EN- inside out and
let's see what you carry in the way
OF offensive artillery. And. StrykT,
don't be rash; don't do anything you'd
De sorry FOR afiorWard."
mo fear Of that" mumblod the cap
tain meekly stumbling toward tic ia
ble md, I'm his anxiety to give no cause
for unploasantness. beginning 90 emp
g. his pockets on the way.
"pou't forget the sir. stryker. And,
Sirykor n YOU happen 60 think OF my
thing IN che line Of one " yopr merry
qulps or tests, don't strain yourself
holding in. Get 81 right on your chest
and you'u feel better"
Ttirkwood chuctlcd. in high conceit
with himself. watching Calender out
u the corner of his eve. blt with hiA
attention conferred on the Infinitely di-
vertlbg spectacle AFFORDED by ftryker.
whose prednccous hands were tIem-
bling violently rs one by one they
brought to light tho articles OF which
he had dcspoiled hts erstwhrc victim.
Come. come. STykeT! Surely YOU
can think OF something witty Surely
you Invent exhausted the possibilities
Of Tint almanac tokr' Oouldn't YOU
ring another variation on tho lunatic
wheoze? Don't hesitate ont OF consid
Grafton for ne. captain. I'm Joke proof
Perhaps you've noticed"
Suykcr turned upon BIN an express
sion at once luoicrous, pltcous and
hateful. That's all. SIR" he snnrled,
displaying his empty palms IN token
Of his absolute trnctability
Good enough. Now right about face
quick. Your backs prCttier thnn
your face, aud. besides, ! want to know
whether your hip pockets are empty
I've heard It's the habit Of YOU gentry
10 pack guns 81 your clothes Nonc3
Ihate NIL right, then. Now ruost on
the transom oyer there in tho cornor.
ftryker. and don't move Don't Let
me hear word from you. Under
stand"
fubmisgiyelv tho captain retired 20
Tie indicated spot. Krl.Wood turned
~ Calendar, OF whose attitude. how.
ever, he bad not been for an instant
uumidfuT
WON'T you sit down. Mr.. Cnlendar?"
he suggested pleasantly. "ForgiVo mo
fpr Keeping YOU waiting"
Tor his own part. us the odycnturcr
dropped passivcly into biz chair Kirk
wood stepped over Mulroudy ana nd.
vHncod to The middle IL the cabin. nc
che alme Time thusting Calendar re-
volycr into his own coat pocket The
other. Muready's. he nursed piRnln-
cunuy with both hands. while he stood
temporarily quiet. surveying tho fhrshy
face " the prime factor I'm the intrigue.
a quaint. grim smile played about
The Americans ups. a smile little
contomptuous, more than n little IN
scrutbla IN S. light Galcudnr grow
FESTIVE and lost something Of bis as.
surlncc fIis feet hif,cd uncasny Do.
ncath r' ..'o. qua lis dark eyes wa
rcrcd cHfiur Kirfwood's. At length
p. Hri g uH1 OBJ. suey use uuen-
rr.HI
Won ho demanded testify "what