The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-27

the situation. There was some one 1 within hearing or liable to come within
 hearing who possibly was not so stiff
 under temptation.
 Changing his tactics, he turned his
 back on the snuggery and surveyed
 the offended woman with just touch 1 of maudlin sentiment.
 q say," he cried, just loud enough tc l attract the attention of any one within ! ear shot, you're a mighty fine wo- l man and the boss of this here estab
 lishment. that's evident I'd like to see
 the man who could say no to you. 1 He's never sat in that ere cashiers
 seat where you be. of that I'm dead
 sure. He wouldn't care for flyers ii | you didn't, nor for tens either" He began to edge toward the door, | always eying her and always speak ing loudly in admirably acted tipsy unconsciousness of the fact.
 I "I'm man who likes my own way 1 as we'll as anybody, but I never quar- l rel with a woman. Pm going. nlissus; I I'm going. Oh.'
 The man who had entered was small almost to the point of being mahikin. and, more than that. he was weazen 1 of face and i'll balanced on his two tiny, ridiculous legs.
 "Is she making a fool of herself?" asked the little man in voice as shrill as it was weak. DO your busi- ness with me. Women are no good" And he stalked into the room as only little men can.
 Sweetwater took out his bill. pointed to the snuggery and tapped his breast pocket Whisky here,' be confded. 'Bring me a glass. I don't mind your farmers. They won't bother me. What I want is a locked door and a still mouth in your head. I want to booze to my hearts content. with mo- body by to count the glasses. You've known such fellers before. and that eozy little room over there has known them too. Just add me to the list. It won't harm you"
 The mans hand closed on the bill Sweetwater noted the action out of the corner of bis eye, but his direct glance was on the woman. Her back was to him, but she had started as he mentioned the snuggery and made as if to turn. but thought better of it and bent lower over her books.
 eve struck the spot" he murmured exultantly to himself. 'This is the place I want, and here I'll spend the night, but not to booze my wits away; oh, no."
 Nevertheless it was night virtually wasted. He learned nothing more than what was revealed by that one slight movement on the part of the woman.
 The driving in of the farmers, and the awakening of life in the market, and all the stir it occasioned inside the house and out, prevented sleep even if he had been inclined that way. Soon- CT than was expected of him. sooner than was wise, perhaps, he was on his feet and peering out of the one small window this most dismal day room contained. He had not mistaken the outlook. It gave on to the alley and all that was visible from behind the curtains where he stood was the high brick, windowless wall of the neigh boring house. He turned back into the room, disgusted. then crept to the win dow again. and, softly raising the sash, cast one of his lightning glances up and down the alley. Then he softly let the sash fall again and retreat ed to the center of the room. where he stood for moment with a growing smile of intelligence and hope on his face. He had detected close against the side of the wall box or hand cart full of empty bottles. It gave him an idea. With an impetuosity he would have criticised in another man he flung himself out of the room in which he had been for so many hours confined and, coming face to face with the landlady standing in unexpected watch before the door. found it a strain on his nerves to instantly as- sume the sullen, vaguely abused air with which he had decided to leave the house. Nevertheless he made the attempt, and if he did not succeed to his own satisfaction he evidently did to hers, for she made no effort to stop him as he stumbled out, and in her final look, which he managed with some address to intercept, he perceiv- ed nothing but relief. What had been in her mind fear for him or fear for themselvesg He could not decide uIl- til he had rusnmaged that cart of bot ties. But hoy was he to do this with out attracting attention to himself in a way he still felt to be undesirable7
 When later in the day a certain old peddler went his rounds through this portion of the city disreputable look ing fellow accompanied him, whom even the sharp landlady in Cuthbert road would have failed to recognize as the same man who had occupied the snuggery the night before. He was many hours on the route and had many new experiences with human nature. But he gained little else and was considering with what words he should acknowledge his defeat at po- lice Headquarters when he found him. self again at the markets and a nain- ute later in the alley where the cart stood, the contents of which he had seen earlier in the day.
 He had followed the peddler here because he had followed him to every other back door and alley. But he was tired and had small interest in the cart which looked quite undisturbed and in exactly the same condition as when hp furnad his booly ,,poy, if in