The Mena weekly star., 1911-09-14

of voices surged up from the street oeiow--laughter. shouts the shrieks of women, rattle of dice, an occasional pistol shot, and the continuous yell ing of industrious "barkers." There was no safety anywhere. An exploding revolver in No. 47 was quite likely to disturb the peaceful slumbers of the innocent occupant of No. IS. and every sound of quarrel in the thronged bar room below caused the lCdger to curl up in momentary expectation of a stray bullet coursing toward him through the floor. With this to trou- ble hlm. he could lie there and hear everything that occurred within and without Every creak. stamp, and snore was faithfully reported; every curse, blow, snarl re-echoed to his ears. Inside was hell; outside was Sheridan.
 Wearied, and half dead, as Keith was, sleep was simply impossible. He heard heavy feet tramping up and down the hall; once a drunken man endeavored vainly to open his door not far away there was a scuffie. and the sound of body falling down stairs. In some distant apartment a fellow was struggling to draw off his tight boots, skipping about on one foot amid much profanity. That the boot conquered was evident when the man crawled into the creaking bed, an nouncing defiantly, If the landlord wants them boots of, let him come an pull 'em off" Across the hall was rattle of chips, and the voices of several men, occasionally raised in anger. Now and then they would stamp on the floor as an order for liquid refreshments from below. From somewhere beyond, the long drawn melancholy howl of distressed dog greeted the rising moon.
 Out from all this pandemonium Keith began to unconsciously detect the sound of voices talking in the room to his left In the lull of ob- structing sound few words reached him through the slight open space be- tween wall and ceiling
 Hell, Bill what's the use goin' out again when we haven't the price?"
 "Oh, we might find Bart somewhere. and he'd stake us. guess l know enough to make him loosen up. Come on; Pm goin'."
 Not me; this town is too near Fort Hays I'm liable to run into u0paa of tho faI1oxvo
 chair scraped across the floor as Bill arose to his feet; evidently from the noise he had been drinking, but Keith heard him lift the latch of the door,
 "All right, Willoughby." he said. thickly, "Ill try my luck, an if I see Bart I'll tell him yer here. So long"
 He shufIled along the hall and went. half sliding, down stairs, and Keith distinguished the click of glass and bottle in the next room He was sitting up in bed now, wide awake, obsessed with a desire to investi- gate. The reference overheard must have been to Hawley. and if so, this willoughhy. who was afraid of meet ing soldiers from the fort would be the deserter Miss Hope was seeking. There could be no harm in making sure, and he slipped into his clothes. and >s silently as possible. unlatched his door. There was noisy crowd at the farther end of the hall, and tho sound oi some one laboriously mount ing the stairs. Not desiring to be seen, Keith slipped swiftly toward the door of the other room, and tried the latch. It was unfastened. and he repped quietly within. closing 1t be- dlnd him.
 A small lamp was on the washstan1. a halfemptied bottle and two glasses beside 1t. while pack of cards lay scattered on tine floor. Fully dressed, except for coat, the sole occupant lay on the bed. but started up at Keith's unceremonious entrance, reaching for his revolver, which had slipped to the wrong side of his belt.
 What the helli" he exclaimed. startled and confused.
 The intruder took one glance at him through the dingy light--a boy of eighteen. dark hair, dark eyes. his face. already exhibiting signs of dis sipation, yet manly enough in chin and mouth-and smiled
 T could draw while you were think ing about it," he said, easily, but I am not here on the fight. Are you Fred Willoughby?''
 The lad stared at him. his uncer- tain hand now closed on the butt of his revolver. yet held inactive by the others quiet assurance.
 What do you want to know for?
 Curiosity largely; thought I'd like to ask you a question or two"
 "You--you're not from the fort?"
 Nothing to do with the army. this is a private affair"
 The boy was sullen from drink. his eyes heavy.
 Then who the devil are you? never saw you before"
 That's very true. and my name wouldn't help any Nevertheless. you're perfectly welcome to it. arn
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