The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-04-15
ALOeSzRATZONef ec5I
81. NlEW

| nad learned the lip language IN MS
youth; he heard with his eyes as well
as his ears. This combination had
made an unintentional and embar-
raised eavesdropper out OF an honest
gentleman a number of times. To set
of such evil tricks Il had saved his
life once on the plains and had res
cued his whole command another time
in the Philippines. While he studied
the two faces a sentence from the
younger man gripped his attention.
II was: Il don't mind the risk, but
l hate taking such an old woman's
money"
"She has a heap" answered the
other man carelessly; besides" He
added something with averted head
and in too low a voice to reach the lis.
tener unassisted. But II was convlnc.
ing, evidently, since the young mans
face grew both grave and stern. He
nodded. muttering: "Oh. urder-
stand; | wasn't backing water: know
We have lost the right TO be squeam.
ish. But I say. old chap. how long
since Mrs. Winter has seen you?
| Noulu sue IecObnl1e you.
The colonel, who had been about to
abandon his espionage rs unbecoming
n soldier and a gentleman. slowed
away all his scruples at the mention
OF the name He pricked up his ears
and sharponed his eye. but was careful
lest they should catch his glance. The
next sentence. owing TO the speakers
position. was inaudlble and invisible;
but he clearly caught the young mans
response:
You're sure they'll be on this
train?"
And he saw the interlocutor's head
nod.
The boys with them?"
An inaudible reply. but another nod.
And you're sure OF Miss SMITH"
This time the others profile was TO-
ward the listener who heard the reply:
Plumb sure. | wish | were as sure
CT some other things Have we settled
everything? II is better not to be seen
together"
Yes. think you've put me wise on
the main points. BY tho way, what Is
the penalty for Kidnapping"
Again an ayerted head and hiatus.
followed by the younger mans spark
ling smile and exclamation: ''Wowl
| Riskier than football-and even more
fun" Something further he added.
but his arms hid his mouth as he
| thrust them into his greatcoat. prepar-
ing TO move away He went alone;
and the other. after a moments
/ gloomy meditation. gathered up coat
and bag and followed. During that
moment OF arrested decision. however.
his features had dropped into sinister
/ lines which the colonel remembered.
Dangerous customer. or | miss my
| guess" unused the soldier. who knew
/ the passions OF men. Il wonder-they
couldn't mean my Aunt Rebeccs?
She's old; she has millions OF money
but she's not on this train. And there's
no Miss Smith in our deck. I'm so
used to plotting go OF on fake hikesl
Probably I'm getting old and dotty.
Mercer. poor fellow, may have his
brain turned and be an anarchist or a
| bomb-thrower or dirty kldnaper for
revenge: but that boys a decent chap;
I've licked too many second lieuten-
ants into shape not to know something
OF youngsters"
He pushed the idea away; OF. rather.
his own problems pushed II out OF his
mind, which went back TO his ward
and his single living brother. Mel.
vile had no children. only his wife's
daughters. who were both married.
| Melville having married a widow with
a family. an estate and a mind of her
own. Melville was professor in a
state university. a mild. learned man
whom nature intended for science but
whom his wife was determined TO
make into the president Of the uni.
| Versity.
Even money which will win"
| chuckled Rupert Winter TO himself
"Millcent hasn't much tact; but she
has the perseverance Of the saints.
She married Mel: he doesn't know.
but she surely did And she bosses
| him DOW. Well ! suppose Mel likes
to be Dossed; he never had any strenu.
Gus opinions except about the canals
! Of Mars-Nalgame diosl"
,, With a gasp the colonel sprang to
his feet There before him. in the
flesh. was his sister-in-law. Her state
~ figure her Roman profile. her grace
fully gesticulating hand. which indi.
Gated the colonels position to her
heavily laden attendant. a lad in blue
these he knew by heart just as he
| knew that her toilet for the journey
would be In the latest mode and that
she would have the latest fashion of
gait and mien. Millicent studied such
things.
She waved her luggage into place
an excellsns :.ase-in the same breath
Diminishing ssAe porter and instructing
him when In must return. Then. but
not until then. did she turn graciously
to her brother-.n-law.
Il hoped that / should find you,
BERTHE" she said In a voice of such
creamy richness that 1t was hard to
credit the speaker with only three
short trips TO England. Melville said
you were to take this train; and waS