The Mena weekly star., 1909-04-01
CHAPTER n.

Aunt ncpcCCa. No sooner was Mrs Melville ushered Il 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 a 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 campaigner's motto
 A walk through the cars showed him no signs of the two men It was a tolerably complete inspection, too. N There was only one drawingroom or 8 stateroom of which he did not manage 4 to get a glimpse-the closed room be. H ing the property of very great finan- eial magnate, whose private car was %waiting for him in Denver His door \ was fast, and the click of the type. #writer announced the tireless industry Moi our rulers.
 8 But If he did not find the college #boy or the man with the moles he did Sget a surprise for his walk; namely, #the sight of the family of Haley, and #Haley himself beside their trig, bat. tered luggage, in section of the car #next his own Mrs. Haley turned Equity red, while Haley essayed a 3stold demeanor.
 What does this mean?" demanded sfhe colonel.
 # Haley felt he would have to go Fith you, colonel" replied Mrs Haley, ho had timid, wide. blue eyes and the voice of a bird. but a courage un- 1er her panic, as birds have, too, " hen their nests are in peril. We've finted the house to a good man with $rown-up children, and Haley can get e job if you won't want him. M "Yis, sor." mumbled Haley. He was standing at attention, as was his wife. Sfhe toddling Nora being held in the posture of respect on the plush seat A And suppose you took the furni hre money to buy tickets?" z "Yis, sor."
 And you're bound to go with me?" s "Yis, sor," said Haley. # You ought to be ashamed of your oelf, sergeant" said the colonel; but he was glad at the heart of him for 0is mutinous loyalty.
 ''Yes, sor,' said Haley.
 s Well, since you are here, I engage Ru from today, you understand"
 "Yis, sor," said Haley. Mrs. Haley Nhimpered a blessing; but the only change in the soldier was that his mill NY stolidity became natural and real nstead of forced.
 Sit down on this seat over here with me and I'll tell you what I want xpu fraud, letting me say good-by to ypu--"
 2 T didn't want to take the liberty, nr, but you made me shake hands. l xas afraid you'd catch on. sor. 'Tis Aweight of me moind, sor."
 I dare say. You always have your WY with me, you old mule. Now lis ten; l want you to be on the watch for two men'-thereupon the colonel uescribed his men. laying special apess on the moles on the face of one, and the others dimple.
 Having set Haley his tasks. he went pnck to his car in better spirits.
 By this time the train was moving. He had seen his kinswoman and her perty enter; and he found the object oL Mrs Melvilles darksome warnings fHting with slender lad in the main pQdy of the car. Aunt Rebecca was in tns drawing-room, her maid with her. ms Melville, who had already re- fehled her presence, sat across the M e. She presented the colonel at onee.
 Miss Smith did not look formidable; soe looked nice" thought the colonel 91e was of medium height; she was ppFiously plump, although well pro
 uoned; her presence had an effect Rt radiant cleanliness, her eyes were so luminous and her teeth so fine and nef white shirt waist so immaculate. tnere was about her certain soft il fMl nation of cheerfulness, and at the sshe time restful repose; she moved m leisurely fashion and she sat per ,eetly still. q never saw any one who 'ooked less of an adventures" Win he' was thinking. as he bowed, Then M ltly his glance went to the lad, a p~e young fellow with hazel eyes and Rhg' slim hand which felt cold.
 ne boy made a little inarticulate spphd in his throat and blushed when N Winter addressed him. But he 'sohed the brighter for the blush. It
 not plain face; rather an in ss't ting one in spite of it's listlessness a'q its sickly pallor; it's oval was pFely cut, the delicate mouth was Nsesed firmly enough, and the hazel syes with their long lashes would be 9sa tltul were they not so yelled
 pc has the Winter mouth, at least, HeAf d the colonel. He felt a tnrob at ess heart Had his own boy lived, the eHa that died when 1t was born, he
 He ad be only year older than Archie.