River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-10-26
"oh, You Mean Hope? Do You Know Herr"


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 off, let him come
an pull 'em off" Across the hall
was a 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 OBJ
structing sound a few words reached
him through the slight open space be.
tween wall and ceiling
Hell, Bill, what's the use gofn' out
again when we haven't the price?"
"Oh, we might find Bart somewhere.
and he'd stake us. | guess | know
on; I'm goin'."
Not me; this town is too near
Fort Hays; I'm liable to run into
some of the fellows"
A chair scraped across the floor IS
Bill arose to his feet; evidently from
the noise he had been drinking, but
Keith heard him lift the latch of the
door.
"An right, Willoughby," he said,
thickly, I'll try my luck, an if see
Bart I'll tell him yer here. So long"
He shuffled 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 investl-
gate. The reference overheard must
have been to Hawley, and if so, this
Willoughby, 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 as silently IS possible, unattached
Lis door There was a noisy crowd at
the farther end of the hall, and the
sound of 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 1t was unfastened, and he
stepped quietly within, closing it be-
hind him.
A small lamp was on the washstand,
a half-emptied bottle and two glasses
beside it. while pack of cards lay
scattered on the floor. Fully dressed,
except for a 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 hell" 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 nouth-and smiled.
Il could draw while you were think
ing about it." he said, easily, but |
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 question or two" J.
"You-youre not from the fort?"
Nothing TO do with the army; this
is a private affair"
The boy was sullen from drink. his
eyes heavy.