Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-08-18
CHAPTER VI.
In Marion's Shop.

porous DOCK, winch mas long since
fallen into the decay of painless days.
There is in Boney street a livery
stable, a secondhand store, laundry,
bakery, rsoribund grocery, and a
bicycle shop, and at the time of this
story there was also Marion Sinclair's
millinery shop; but the better class of
Medicine Bend business, such as the
gambling houses, saloons, pawnshops,
restaurants, barber shops, and those
sensitive, clean-shaven, and alert es.
adjustments known as gents stores"
had deserted Boney street for many
years. Bats fly in the dark of Boney
street while Front street at the same
hour is a blaze of electricity and from
tier hilarity. The millinery store
stood next to the corner of Fort
street. The lot lay in an 81" and at
the rear of the store the first owner
had built a small connecting cottage
to live in This faced on Fort street
so that Marion had her shop and liv.
ing rooms communicating, and yet
apart. The store building is still
pointed out as the former shop of
Marion Sinclair, where George Nc.
Cloud boarded when the Crawling
Stone line was built, where Whisper.
ing Smith might often have been seen,
where Sinclair himself was last seen
alive in Medicine Bend, where Dicksie
Cummings horse dragged her senseless
one wild mountain night, and where,
indeed, for a time the affairs of the
whole mountain division seemed to
tangle in very hard knots.
In her dining room, which con.
nected through curtained door with
the shop, McCloud sat one day alone
eating his dinner. Marion was in
front serving a customer. McCloud
heard voices in the shop, but gave no
heed till a man walked through the
curtained doorway and he saw Murray
Sinclair standing before him. A
stormy interview with Callahan and
Blood at the Wickiup had taken place
just week before, and McCloud after
what Sinclair had then threatened
though not prepared, felt as he saw
him that anything might occur. NC
Cloud being in possession of the little
room, however, the initiative fell 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 to
see me?"
81 don't" smiled Sinclair; land to
be perfectly frank" he added with
studied consideration, Il wish to God
l never had seen you. Well-you'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 1t, or do you want
me to-"
''The country suits me, Sinclair"
mo 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 leisurely way
rose, though with a slightly flushed
face, and at that juncture Marion ran
into the room and spoke abruptly.
Here is the silk, Mr.. Sinclair" she
exclaimed, handing to him a package
she had not finished wrapping. 81
meant you to wait in the other room"
ct was an accidental intrusion" re.
turned Sinclair, maintaining his irony.
81 have apologized, and Mr.. McCloud
and | understand one another better
than ever"
please say to Miss Dunning," con.
tinued Marion, nervous and insistent,
that the band for her riding-hat
hasn't come yet, but it should be here
tomorrow"
AS she spoke McCloud leaned across
the table, resolved to take advantage
of the opening, if it cost him his life.
And by the way, Mr.. Sinclair, Miss
Dunning wished me to say to you that
the lovely bay colt you sent her had
sprung his shoulder badly, the hind
shoulder, 1 think, but they are doing
everything possible for it and they
think it will make g. great horse"
Sinclair's snort at the information
was a marvel of indecision. Was he
being made fun OF? Should he draw
and end it? But Marion faced him
resolutely as he stood, and talking
in the most business like 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, flashing his tail, so to
speak.
Coming back, Marion tried to hide
her uneasiness under even tones to
MoCloud. I'm sorry he disturbed
you. / was attending to a customer
and had to ask him to wait mo
ment."
Don't apologize for having q Gus