The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-08-09
The House of the
Whispering
Pines

sue WIS uiSulg ptItiuplOIys unu
what was more. she was in great
hurry to get rid of him. This haste
and the anxious ear she turned to.
ward the hall enlightened him as tc
the situation. There was some one
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 a touch
of maudlin sentiment
81 say" he cried. just loud enough to
attract the attention Of any one within
ear shot. you're a mighty fine wo-
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.
He's never sat in that ere cashiers
seat where you be. of that I'm dead
sure He wouldn't care for 6vers 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'm man who likes my own way
as well as anybody, but ! never quar-
rel with woman. I'm going. missus;
I'm going. OH"
The man who had entered was small
almost to the point of being manikin,
and. more than that. be was weazen
of face and i'll balanced on his two
tiny. ridiculous legs.
us she making a fool of herself?'
asked the little man in a voice as
shrill as it was weak. do your BUSH
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 confided.
Bring me glass. | don't mind your
farmers. They won't bother me.
What I want is locked door and a
still mouth in your head. want to
booze TO my hearts content. with no.
body by to count the glasses. You've
known such fellers before. and that
cozy little room over there has known
them too just add me to the list. 1t
won't harm you"
The mans hand closed on the bill.
Sweetwater noted the action out of
the corner of his eye. but his direct
glance was on the woman. Her back
was to him. but she bad started as
be mentioned the snuggery and made
rs if TO turn. but thought better of il
and bent lower over her books.
1--WE struck the spot" he murmured
axutantly to himself. This is the
place want. and here I'll spend the
night. but not to booze my wits away;
Oh, no."
Nevertheless 1t was a night virtually
wasted. He learned nothing more
han what was revealed by that one
slight movement on the part of the
The driving in of the farmers. and
he awakening of life in the market,
md all the stir il occasioned inside the
rouse and out. prevented sleep even If
le had been inclined that way. Soon
n than was expected of him. sooner
han was wise. perhaps. be was on his
eet and peering out or the one small
window this most dismal day room
obtained. he had not mistaken the
outlook. II gave on to the alley and
II that was visible from behind the
urtains where he stood was the high
rick. windOwless wall of the neigh
'oring house. He turned back into the
DOM. disguised. then crept TO the win
low again. and. softly raising the
ash. cast one of his lightning glances
Ip and down the alley. Then he softly
at the sash fall again and retreat
d 10 the center OF the room. where he
TODD for a moment with a growing |
mile of intelligence and hope on his |
ace. He had detected close against
he side of the wall box or hand
art full of empty bottles. II gave him
n idea. With an impetuosity he
you'd have criticised in another man
e flung himself out OF the room in |
vhich he had been for so many hours
ontined and. coming face to face with |
be landlady standing IN unexpected |
ratch before the door. found II a |
train on his nerves to instantly as
ume the sullen. vaguely abused air
nth which he had decided TO leave
be house Nevertheless be made the |
tempt. and il be did not succeed 10
Is own satisfaction be evidently did
D hers. for she made no effort 70 stop |
i'm as be stumbled out ana IN her
mai look. which be managed with
ONE address 10 intercept. tie perceiy
0 nothing out relief What had been
} her mind-fear for him Or fear for
1emselvesf He could not decide I'M
. be bad rummagsd that csrf Of bot
les. Bur how was ne 20 d. this with
ut attracting attention 70 himself I'm
way be still felt ~ De uDdeslrablsf
When later In the dag a certain old
eddler went bis rounds through this
ortion OF the city d dIsreDutable look
lg fellow accompanied hin. whom
ven the sharp landlady 10 cuthbert