The Jackson herald., 1910-10-20
CHAPTER xv.-ContInued.

As we turned the corner I glanced
back Half block behind us John
son was moving our way slowly.
When he saw me he stopped and pro-
ceeded with great deliberation to light
a cigar. BY hurrylng, however. he
caught the car that we took, and stood
unobtrusively on the rear platform.
lie looked tagged. and absent.minded-
ly paid our fares. to Meningitis de-
light.
I'VE will give him run for his
money" he declared, as the car moved
countryward Conductor. let us off
at the muddiest lane you can find"
At one o'clock. after a six.mile ram.
bic, we entered small country hotel.
We had seen nothing of Johnson for
half hour. At that time he was a
quarter of q mile behind us. and losing
rapidly. Before we had finished our
luncheon he staggered into the inn.
One of his boots was under his arm.
and his whole appearance was deplor-
able. lie was coated with mud, streak.
ed with perspiration. and he limped
as he walked. lie chose n table not
far from us and ordered Scotch. Be-
yond touching his hat he paid no at
tention to us.
I'm Just getting my second wind"
Mcknight declared. How do you feel,
Mr.. Johnson? Six or eight miles more
and wen all enjoy our dinners" John.
son put down the glass he had raised
TO his lips without replying.
The fact was, however. that | was
like johnson. was soft from my
weeks inaction, and was pretty well
zone up. Mcknight. who was we'll
spring of vitality and high spirits. or
dered q strange concoction, made OF
nearly everything In the bar, and sent
1t over to tho detective. but johnson
refused It.
II hate that kind of person" Nc
Knight said pettishly. kind of fell
low that thinks you're going to poison
his dog II you offer him bone.'
When we got to the car line. with
Johnson n dragged and dropping tall
TO the kite. was In better spirits.
had told Mcknight the story of the
three hours Just after the wreck;
had not named the girl. OF course; she
had my promise of secrecy. But l told
him everything else. II was a relief
to have fresh mind on It: had puz
zled so much over the incident at the
gold bag, that | had lost perspective
He had been interested. but inclined
to be amused. until | came to the
broken chain. Then he had whistled
softly.
But there are tons of flno golc
chains made every year." he said
'Why in the world do you think tha
the-er-smeary piece came from
that necklace?"
had looked around. johnson wa!
far behind, scraping the mud of hi
feet with piece of stick.
Il have the short end of the chair
In the sealskin bag" l reminded him
when couldn't sleep this morning
thought l would settle 1t. one way O.
way / had been doing. And-there'
no doubt about II. Rich. It's the sam
chain"
We walked along In silence unit
we caught the car back to town.
WELL" he said fiLally, you knoy
the girl, of course, and don't. Blu
n you like her-and l think mysel
you're rather hard hit, old man
wouldn't give whoop about the chat
In the gold purse. It's just one of tn
little condolences that hang peopl
now and then. And as for last nigh
If she's the kind of a girl you sa
she is. and you think she had any
thing to do with that, you-you'r
added, that's all. You can depen
on 1t. the lady of the empty house las
week is the lady of last night. An
yet your train acquaintance was /
Altoona at thet time"
Just before we got off the car. n
verted to the subject again. 1t wa
never far back In my mind.
about the--young lady of the trail
Rich." said, with what suppose wa
elaborate carelessness, Il don't war
you to get a wrong impression. l al
rather unlikely to see her again, bl
even II do, IL believe she is a
ready bespoke, or next thing to 1t
He made no reply, but as l opene
the door with my latch-key
stood looking up at me from the paw
ment with his quizzical smile.
Love is like the measles" he ora