The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-05-11
HALF A ROGUE
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH
Author of The Man on the Box, The Puppet Crown, Hearts and Masks, Etc.
Copyright Bobbs-Merrin Co. indianapolis.

This man McQuade was something out
OF the ordinary. And he had dehed
him.
Il am very much obliged to you, Os-
borne, If 1 win out. on my word of
honor, III do something for you."
You aren't afraid of McQuade? ?"
anxiously.
My dear Mr.. Osborne, ! am not
give this a McQuade the biggest
fight he has ever had. Bodies will have
his pains for nothing, Any scandal he
can rake up about my past VIII be
pure ~blackmatl; and 1 know how to
deal with that breed
"McQuade will try something else,
then. He's sworn TO stop you. I'm glad
you aren't afraid of him.
Il can't think you enough"
II wander about town a good deal;
nobody pays much attention to me.
so lots of things fall under my notice.
IN let you know what | hear. Youll
find all the decent people on our side,
surprise or NJ surprise. They're tired
OF MoQuade and Donneily. Some of
these paving deals smell. Well, I'm
keeping you from your work" Bill
rose.
Help yourself to these cigars" said
warrington gratefully, passing the
Bill took three.
Good night, Richard"
Good night, Mr.. Osborne. If by any
good luck | become mayor of Hercu-
laneum, III not forget your service
tonight"
That's ali that's necessary for me-"
and Bill bowed himself out. He Iayed
his course for his familiar haunts.
Warrington picked up the letter
which Osborn had so fortunately
come upon. He was often amused at
the fascination it held for him. He
would never meet the writer, and yet
not a day passed that he did not strive
to conJure up an imaginative likeness.
ana ne had nearly lost it. The creases
We're beginning to show. He studied it
thoroughly. He held it toward the
llght. All, here was something that had
hitherto escaped his notice. 1t was a
peculiar water wark. He examined the
folds. The sheet had not been folded
originally, letter-wise, but had been
fiat, as if torn from a tablet. He
scrut1nized the edges and found signs
OF mucilage. Here was something, but
1t led him to no solution. The post
office mark had been made in New
York: TO trace a letter in New York
would be as impracticable as subtract
ing gold from sea-water. 1t was a tan
talizing mystery, and it bothered him
more than he liked to confess. He
put the letter in his wallet, and went
into the sewing-room, where his aunt
" " ~ nrnins. me dear ola lady smiled
49,.
Aunty, I've got a secret to tell
YOU"
What is it. Richard2'
Tn going to run for mayor"
The old lady dropped her work and.
held up her hands in horror.
You are fooling. Richardn'
i am very serious, aunty.'
Richard"
Somebody's got to reform them.s
"But they'll reform you into one of
their Kind. You don't mean it,"
ies. ddo.a We promised, and I
can back down now
NO good will come of it." said the
old lady. propiletioally. reaching down
for her work. "But if you are deterrn-
med. / suppose it's no use for me 10
talk. what VIII the Benningtons say?''
"Iaey rather approve the idea. I'm
gong Up there early tomorrow. I'll be
up before you're down. Good night,
lie lightly kissed the yrinkled face
Il good time, Richard; and
God bless M boy
he paused on the threshold and came
back. Why. he did not know. Pr b.y-
ing come back. he kissed her once
again, his hands on her cheeks. There
We're tears in her eyes.
You're SO kind and good to an old
woman, Richard"
"Pshaw! there's nobody your equal
in all the world. Good night:n and he
stepped into the hail.
The next morning he left town far.
Bennington's bungalow in tho Adiron-
daeiss. He arrived at . in the Aft
ernoon. and found John. Kata ana
Patty at the village station r u.as
nearly a two hours drive to tba Ia he
which was circled by lordly NOM,
tains
Isn't it beautiful?" asked party
with a kind of proprietary nySde
1T Us as fine as anythine IN the
-Alps., Warrington admired .sc,aT,
we go a-fishing in the lnoT.ninpp"
IF YOU can get up early. eno,,eh
Trust mel. enthlisiasticalIv
"How's the politiciana % w,his,araa
Kate, eagerly.
About to fad himself in the heart
of a great scandal The ere,nx, ban 10.
cated us, and this Afternoon the Times
IS s6Tcome out with a broadsidal I
haven't the least idaa what ~ vii !,
nor care" p
That's the proper wsy 10 TAM, ,a
| Piled Kate approvingly.
Blu what's this talk about nolit;cs o.
John demanded.
Warrington looked at PATTY ana Kate
A., t,o,.a.t :. &~8