The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-01-11
Illustrations by DEARBORN MELvILL.

Copyright, A. c. NcClurg 4 Co. 1907
--Sa, ana nalf dead, as keith
4 was, sleep was simply impossible. He
heard heavy feet tramping up and
own the hall; once drunken man
ldeavored vainly to open his door;
OF far away there was a scufle, and
the sound of body falling down stairs.
In some distant apartment fellow
was struggling to draw off his tight
boots, skipping about on one foot
amid much profanity. That the boot
conquered was evident when the man
,rawled into the creaking bed, an.
,uncing defiantly, IF the landlord
ITS them boots off, let him come
9ull 'em off," Across the hall
rattle of chips, and the voices
raj men, occasionally raised in
New and then they would
on the floor as an order for
refreshments from below. From
where beyond, the long drawn
holy howl of a distressed dog
the rising moon
from all this pandemonium
began to unconsciously detect
;ound of voices talking in the
to his left In the lull of OBJ
ing sound a few words reached
rugh the slight open space be-
and ceiling.
Il, what's the use goin' out
we haven't the price?'
ght find Bart somewhere,
us. l guess l know
n loosen up. Come
is too near
to run into
the floor as
evidently from
cen drinking, but
..l lift the latch of the
it, Willoughby," he said
Il try my luck, an If | see
ell him yer here. So long"
4ed along the hall and
ling, down stairs, and
shed the click of glass
the next room. He was
bed now, wide awake,
it'll a desire to investi-
reference overheard must
i to Nawley, and if SO, this
ably, who was afraid OF meet
.oldiers from the fort, would be
deserter Miss Hope was seeking.
ere could De no harm in making
re. and he slipped into his clothes,
and as silently as possible, Unmatched
his door. There was a noisy crowd at
farther end of the hall, and the
some one laboriously mount
stairs. Not desiring to be
18th slipped swiftly toward the
the other room, and tried the
It was unfastened, and he
ed quietly within, closing it be-
hima
\ small lamp was on the washstand,
lalf-emptied bottle and two glasses
,eside 1t, while a pack of cards lay
catered on the floor. Fully dressed. I
except for a coat the sole occupant
ay on the bed, but started up at
Ae1th's unceremonious entrance,
'eaching for his revolver, which had
'oped to the wrong side of his belt.
hat the hell" he exclaimed,
and confused
der took one glance at him
dingy light-a boy of
hair, dark eyes, his
exhibiting signs OF dis
manly enough in chin
and smiled
draw while you were think.
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"
"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.
Then who the devil are you?
never saw you before"
That's very true. and my name
wouldn't help any Nevertheless,
you're perfectly welcome to it. 1 am
Keit" >" No expression of recog.
the face of the other.
ID CURLY, "Shall we
uept's silence, and
ing his feet over
INTO. the floor.
nrtly, "un.
IT."