The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1911-03-31

WneelDarrOW
Poritol kept his frightened eyes on
Orme's face. but he said nothing
"Well, | will explain it, You fol-
lowed the car when 1t started for Ar
radale. You waited here, found a
wheelbarrow, and tried to wreck US.
1t is further evidence of your comic
equipment that you should use a
wheelbarrow."
Poritol got to his feet. you are
mistaken, dear Mr.. Orme. IL"
Orme smiled grimly. stop" he
said. Don't explain. Now | want
you to stay right here In this field for
half hour. Don't bulge. If catch
you outside, I'll take you to the near
est Jail"
Poritol drew himself up. "As an
attache l am exempt" he said, with
a pitiful attempt at dignity.
You are not exempt from the con-
sequences of a crime like this. Now,
get on your knees"
Whimpering, Poritol kneeled.
Stay in that position"
ooh, sir-oh, my very dear sir. L"
Stay there!" Numbered Orme.
Poritol was still, but his lips moved,
and his interlaced fingers worked con-
vulsively.
AS Orme walked away, he stopped
now and then to look back. Poritol
did not move, and Orme long carried
the picture of that kneeling figure.
Who was it," asked Bessie Wal
bingham, as he climbed hack over the
fence.
"A puppy with sharp teeth" he re-
piled. thinking of what the girl bad
said I'VE might as we'll forget him"
She studied him in silence, then
pointed to the chauffeur, who was
down at the side of the car.
Anything damaged?" Orme quer-
led
Yes, sir"
"Much?"
1.-TWO hours work. sir"
"Pshaw!" Orme shut his teeth down
hard; Poritol, had he known it, might
have felt thankful that he was not
near at hand. He turned to Bessie.
How much farther is it?"
THE chauffeur answered About
three miles, sir
Three miles over dark country roads
and it was nearly II o'clock. He
| glanced ahead In the distance
light twinkled.
Bessie" he said, come with me to
that farmhouse. We must go on. Or,
if you prefer to wait here"
I'll go with you, of course"
They walked along the road to the
farm gate. A cur yelped at their feet
old man, coatless and slippered, opened
the door, holding an oil lamp high
above his head. Down, Rover. What
do you want?" he shouted.
We've got to have a rig to take us
to Winnetka," said Orme Our car
broke down"
The old man reflected. Cant do
it" he said, at last. "All shet up fer
the night. Can't leave the missus
alone"
window. Yes, you can, Simeon"
growled woman's cultural voice.
wall don't know"
yes, you can" She turned to
Orme. He'll take we fer five dollars
cash. Ye can pay me-"
Orme turned to Bessie. Have you
any money!" he whispered
Heavens! l left my hand bag in
my locker at the clubhouse. How stu
pid!"
Never mind" Orme saw that he
must lose the marked bill after all.
Respectfully he took it from his pocket.
The woman had disappeared from the
window, and now she came to the
door and stood behind her husband.
Wrapped in an old blanket, she made
a gaunt figure, not unlike squaw. AS
Orme walked up the two or three
steps, she stretched her hand over her
husbands shoulder and snatched the
bill, examining it closely by the lamp
light
Whats this writin' on it?" she de-
manded, fiercely.
"Oh, that's just somebody's joke. 1t
doesn't hurt anything"
We'll, don't know" She looked at
it doubtfully, then crumpled it tight
in her fist. Il guess it'll pass. Git
a move on you, Simeon"
The old man departed, grumbling,
to the barn, and the woman drew back
into the house, shutting the door care
fully. Orme and Bessie heard the
bolts click as she shot them home.
"Hospitable!" exclaimed Bessie,
seating herself on the doorstep.
After a wait that seemed interim
nable, the old man came driving around
the house. To a ramshackle buggy
he had hitched decrepit horse. They
wedged in as best they could. the old
man between them, and at a shutting
amble the nag proceeded through the
gate and turned eastward.
In the course of 20 minutes they
crossed railroad tracks and entered |
the shady streets of the village. Bessie !
directing the old man where to drive. |
Presently they came to the entrance