Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-07-10
CHAPTER VI
IN Narion's Shop.

In Eo0oy street. Medicine Bend
stands an eariy-day row OF one-storv
buildings. they once made up "a pros
porous block. which has long since
fallen into the decay of painless DAYS
There IS i'm Bouey street a livery
stable. secondhand store. a laundry
bakery. a uori5und grocery. and a
bicycle shop. ard at the time of this
story there was also Marion Sinclair's
millinery shop. but The better class OF
Medicine Bc1d business. such as the
gambling houses. saloons. pawnshops.
restaurants. barber shops. and those
sensitive cleau-shaven. and alert es-
Establishments known as gents stores"
had deserted Houcy street for many
years. Bats hy iu the dark OF Bonev
street while Front street at the same
hour is "a blaze Of electricity and from
tier hilarty Tho millinery store
stood next to the corner OF Fort
street The lot Jay in an "I." and az
the rear OF The store the first owner
had built a small connecting cottage
20 live in This faced on Fort street
80 that Marion had her shop and Hv-
Ing rooms communicative and yet
apart The store building rs still
pointed ont as TIE former shop OF
Marion Sinclair where George Nc
Cloud boarded when the Crawling
stone Tine was built where Whfsuer-
ing Smith might often have been seen.
where Sinclair himself was last seen
alive in Medicine Bend. where nicksie
Cummings horse draErcd her sonseless
one Md mountain night and where.
indeed. for time The affairs Of the
whole mountain division seemed 20
tanglc iu very hard knots.
lu her dining room which con
nectcd throurh cu-ta iucd door with
tac shop. NcClouc SAT one dav alone
eating bis C'auer. Marion was I'M
front scr'in" o. customer. McCIoud
heard voices Bro thc shop. hut gave no
heed ul 81 mau wa'ssd thrcu-h the
curtaiued doorway and De saw Murray
Sinclair stsulmg before him A
stormy Interview with Callahan and
Blood az the Wickup had taken place
just week before. and NcCIoud after
what Sinclair had then threatened
though not prepared felt as he saw
him that anything might occur. Nc
Cloud being boo possession of the little
room, however the initiative fen on
Sinclair. who looking his best.
snatched his hat from his head and
bowed ironically. My mistake" he
said blandly
Come right In" returned McCloud.
not knowing whether Marion had a
possible hand in her husbands unex-
pected appearance. do YOU want 10
see me-"
4 don't" smiled Sinclair. and 10
be perfectly frank" he added with
studied consideration. II wish TO God
] never had seen YOU. WeIl-vou've
thrown me, McCloud."
You've thrown yourself. haven't
you, Murray"
From your point OF view. OF course.
But McCloud, this is small country
for two points OF view Do you want
TO get out Of it, or do you want
me to-"
The country suits me Sinclair"
NO man that has ever played me
dirt can stay here while / stay" Sin
clair. with hand on the portiere. was
moving from The doorway into the
room. McCloud IN a Ieisurely way
rose, though with a slightly flushed
face. and at that juncure Marion ran
into the room and spoke abruptly
Here Is the silk Mt. Sinclair, "sshe
exclaimed. handing to him package
she had not finished wrapping. Il
meant You 10 wait In the other room"
II was an accidental intrusion" re-
turned Sinclair maintaining his irony.
Il have apologized, and NJ. McClcud
and ! understand one another better
than ever"
Please say 10 Miss Dunning." con-
unued Marion. nervous and insistent.
that the band for her riding-hat
hasn't come yet, but IL should be here
tomorrow"
As she spoke McCloud leaned across
the table, resolved TO take advantage
OF the opening, if II cost him his life.
And by the way. Mt Sinclair Miss
Dunning wished me 10 say 10 YOU that
the lovely bay colt you sent her had
sprung his shoulder badly. the hind
shoulder, ] think. but they are doing
everything possible for il and thew
think II VIII make a great horse"
Sinclair's snort al the Information |
was marvel Of indCcision. Was he |
being made fun o.? Should he draw |
and end it? But Marion faced him
resoiutely as he stood, and talkingt
In the most business Ike way she
backed him out OF the room and to \
the shop door. Baked OF his oppor- |
tunity. he retreated stubbornly but |
with the utmost politeness. and left |
with a grin, lashing his tail. so to
speak.