Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-14

CHAPTER II.
1t was perhaps two hours later that
Fraser went to the window for the
twentieth time, and, breathing against
the pane, cleared peep-hole, an
nouncing:
Hes gone!"
Emerson, absorbed in a book, made
no answer. After his encounter with
the householder he had said little, and
upon finding this coverless, brown.
stained yolume--a tattered copy or
Don Quixote--he had relapsed into
utter silence.
II say, he's gone!'' reiterated the
man at the window.
Still no reply was forthcoming, and,
seating himself near the stove, Fraser
spread his hands before him in the
shape of a book, and began whimsical
ly, in dry monotone, as II reading TO
himself:
at which startling news, Mr.. EN-
erson, with his customary vivacity,
smiled engagingly, and answered
back:
why do you reckon he has de-
parted, Mr.. Fraser?'
Because he's lost his voice cuss-
ing u.s. l replied, graciously.
"'Oh no!' exclaimed the genial Mr..
Emerson, more for the sake of con-
versation than argument; he has got
cold feet!' Evidently unwilling to let
the conversation lag, the garrulous
Mr. Emerson continued, It's dark
night without, and | fear some mis-
chief is afoot.'
eyes: gut what OF yon beautchous
gel?' said l, at which he burst into
wild laughter"
Emerson laid down his book
81 merely remarked that our scan
dalized Scandalusian has got tired OF
singin' Wont You Open that Door
and Let Me In? and has ducked."
Where has he gomez"
81 amt no mind-reader; maybe he's
loped off to Seattle after policeman
and writ Of ne plus ultra. Maybe ne
has gone after a clump of his coun-
trymen-this is herding-season Tor
Swedes.'
Without answering, Emerson rose,
and, going to the inner door, called
through to the squaw:
Get us a cup Of coffee
"Coffee!' interjected Fraser; why
not have real feed? I'm hungry
enough to eat anything except salt
risin' bread and Roquefort cheese"
NO" said the other; II don't want
| to cause any more trouble than neces-
| sary."
aWelI, there's a lot Of grub in the
cache. Let's load up the Sled"
'I'm hardly thief"
son, but"
mol"
"Fingerless" Fraser fell back into
sour silence. :
When the slatternly woman had
skunk forth and was busted at the
stove Emerson observed, musingly:
II wonder what possessed that fell
low to act as he did,
"He said he had orders" Fraser Of
fered. IF had warm cabin, lot OF
grub-and squaw-Fd live to see
somebody give me ORDERS"
Their clothing was dry now, and
they proceeded to dress leisurely. AS
Emerson roped up the sleeping-bags.
Fraser suddenly suspended operations
on his attire, and asked, ENORMOUSLY:
"What's the matter? We amt goln'
to move, are WEI"
Eyes. Well make for one OF the
other canneries," answered Emerson,
without looking up.
"But I'VE got sore feet" complained
the adventurer.
what! again." Emerson laughed
specifically. Better walk on your
hands for a while"
"And it's getting dark, too.
Never mind. 1t can't be far. Come
now"
He urged the fellow as he had re-
peatedly urged him before, for Fraser
seemed to have the blood of tramp
In his veins; then he tried to question
the woman, but she maintained
| frightened silence When they had fin
ished their coffee, Emerson laid two
silyed dollars on the table, and they
left the house to search out the river
trail again.
The early darkness, fastened by the
storm, was upon them when they crept
I'M the opposite bank an hour later,
and through the gloom beheld a group
of great shadowy. buildings. Approach
ing the solitary CLEAN Of light shining
from the window of the watchman's
house. they applied to him for shelter
I'VE are just OH louS CIlp, eiA.i oti
dogs are played out Emerson ex-
planned. "We'll. pay well for a place to
rest"
"You can't stop here said the fell
low, gruffly.
"Why not?"
"I've got no room"
us there road-house near by"
81 don't know
'ou'd better find out mighty quick,
Tetorted the young man. with rising
temper at the others discourtesy.
"Try the next place below" said the
Waterman. hurriedly, slamming the
door in their faces and boiling it..
Once secure behind his barricade. he
added "If he won't let you In. maybe
the priest can take care of you at the
Mission
aThis here town Of Kalvik is GER
tainly overjoyed at our arrival said
Fraser, "ain't it?"
But his irate companion made no
comment, whereat, sensing the anger
behind his silence, the speaker for
onca failed to extemporize an answer