Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-12

The colonel experienced the embar-
fassment that is the portion of rash
man trying to defend one woman
against another; he retreated because
h perceived defense was in vain I;
but he did not feel his growing opinion
Of Miss Smiths innocence menaced by
Mrs. Melyille'e convictions.
She played too square game for a
kdnaper-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
oossible most of the time" Aunt Re
becca had once said. He quite agreed
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 secretary with
him? Yes, he seemed to have, a little
fellow who had not much to say for
himself, and jumped whenever his
boss spoke to him. There was also a
valet, an Englishman, who did not re,
spond properly to conversational over
lures They were all going to get off
at Denver
Haley was not misinformed, as the
colonel perceived with his own eyes
and he saw Gary Mercer bow in part
ing to the great man, who requited the
low salute with gruff nod. Here was
an opportunity for nearer glimpse o.
Mercer, possibly for that explanation
In which Winter still had lurkins
hope. He caught Mercer just in the
car doorway, and politely greeted him:
Mr.. Mercer, think? You may no.
remember me, Col. Winter. l met yor
In Cambridge, three years ago"
1t seemed brutal thing to do, to re
all meeting under such circum
stances; but II Mercer could give the
explanation he would excuse him; Il
was better than suspecting an limo
cent man. But there was no oppor
unity for explanation. Mercer turned
blank and coldly suspicious face to-
ward him. 81 beg pardon" he said In
his southern way, II think you have
made 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
ble Mercer saw 1t as well as he
TRY some one from the country" he
remarked with an unpleasant smile
brushing past, while the color mounted
to the colonePs tanned cheek. "The
next time you meet me-" Rupert Win
ter vowed, you'll know me"
A new porter had come on at Der
yer; light brown, chubby, bald ma
with face that radiated friendlines
He was filled with the desire for cor
versation, and he had worked on the
road for eight years, hence could SUI.
plement "Over the Range" and the 9th
or guide books with personal gossip. He
~howed marked Difference to the, col.
onel, which that unassuming and di-
.ect 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 man."
cts 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 told him a 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, / reckon his advice is
sound" laughed the colonel. "See
you follow it, Archie"
"shall you hold up your hands,
Uncle Bertie?" asked Archie.
Much the wisest course; these fell
lows shoot"
Archie looked disappointed. 81 sup
pose So" he sighed. I'm afraid I'd
want to, If they were pointing pistols
at me. Lewis was on the train once
when man showed fight. He wouldn' t
put up his hands, and the bandit
plugged him, like fash; he fell
crosswise over the seat and the blood
spurted across Lewis wrist; he said it
was like hot jet of water
The homely and bizarre horror OF
the picture had evidently struck home
to Archie; he half shivered.
TOO much Imagination grumbled
the colonel to himself. "a Winter
ought to take to fighting like duck
to. water!" He betook himself to Miss
Smith; and he was uneasily con-
scious that he was going to her for
:onsoling. But he felt better after a
,.ttle talk about Archie with her.
Plainly she thought Archie had plenty
Of spirit; although, of course, he hadn't
old her about the bandits. The negro
vas Kidding" the passengers; ard
omen shouldn't be disturbed by such
nonsense. The colonel had old-fash-
:oned views of guarding his woman
kind from the harsh ways Of the
world. Curious, he reflected, what