The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-01-13

which purported to come from her.
He whistled softly.
1T is a fake, of course" he said,
looking at me keenly. Il am sure
of that, Reynolds. | had long
talk with the station agent. who is
the telegraph operator as well and
he was telling me that Areana
about kept the little one-horse pace
up and had all sorts of money
Strange, too, he said, he usually
mad so many kilograms to send out
from town, and l haven't seen one
now in week
Areana came up while we were
talking, and offered us some choice
cigars.
u am not smoking today" said
little roughly, and looked sig
nilicantly at Travers.
Nor l." he said smiling in his
frank, boyish way ut is no use
tempting me, Mr.. Areana. Reynolds
here is the very devil of stickler
for obeying orders, and would
not be able to keep awake tonight
if | smoked
Areana looked beyond him at me.
DO YOU still mean for him to
occupy the Cedar Room tonight?'
he asked.
| nodded.
Then, if you don't mind, and as
it is getting rather late, will
have a fire kindled there. The rain
will make it very damp. And |
will have to see to it personally,
as the servants have a horror OF
it since May went away
noticed that he said went
away not disappeared. | stood and
watched him until | saw him vanish
in the hall
a few last words, Travers,' !
said, hurriedly. Nothing will hap
pen to you. of course, my lad; but
for Gods sake be on your guard,
And be sure to keep awake. If
only knew against what dangers to
warn you- You are sure that your
pistols are all right?"
Quite sure" he said confidently.
And you are to fire upon the
Slightest alarm remember that
Keep the lights-one at least
burning brightly. | do not even know
from what point to expect danger
if danger there be-
Il am not afraid" he said reso.
lutcly. Il am young and active and
well armed. And as you say, | shalI
not allow anything to get the ad.
vantage of me-
You have a long vigil before
you | said restlessly. Il wish !
could share it with you, Travers,
only you see that would Illustrate
my ends"
Il understand" he said gently.
IF anything should happen |
began nervously, Il do not expect
it, mind, but if anything should oc
cur to alarm you, do not hesitate
to discharge your pistol. The least
sound, either within or outside the
house"
Il will remember" he said
little absently, and we went in to
tea.
1t was late when we arose from
the table. The sky had clouded
over again and the night was warm.
1t seemed more like an evening in
late April than the closing of a
mid-winter day. Areana had eaten
nothing.
II feel strangely depressed" he
complained. In your interest in my
sisters fate, Mr.. Reynolds, you are
forgetting the business which
brought you to Ridgely. And by
this time my enemies will have
discovered our little ruse. shall
look for them to show their hand
soon perhaps tonight"
They will think that you have
simply come to my terms said.
soothingly, and they will have heard
of Trayers' appearance. You may
sleep in peace tonight, Mr.. Areana.
am sure that they will feel that
the garrison is too strongly forti-
fled for an attack tonight"
He shook his head doubtfuAy. q
shall fasten my doors securely
enough, | promise YOU" he grum-
bled. Il am afraid that you do not
appreciate the gravity of the situa-
ton. sir"
81 shall be on guard myself, to
a certain extent" / said rather
shortly. Il am doing my best for
you, Mr.. Areana, / assure you"
! watched him go into his own
room, and heard the snap of the
bolt before / turned away. Come
on, Judson," | said then. 1T is time
for your watch to begin, old fel-
low"
Going down the hall with him,
threw open the door of the Cedar
Room. The apartment itself looked
CHEEKY enough. A bright fire glow
ed on the tinv hearth and thare