The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-09-06

udu set all uOuI DSION6, out the ulgn
was LUMINOSITY clear, and the stars
blazed with an almost southern efful
gence. There was very little breeze
and the waters of the Mianus were
scarcely rippled. The air was chill
however, though now and then there
came to us a warm breath from the
fields which all day long had lain bak
ing in the fervent sunshine. Along
the shore to our left we caught the
CLINT of lights from the summer cot
tages.
To Jerry Rooney every inch Of the
little bay and river was familiar
Each light was for him a landmark
land so, as much by intuition as care
ful calculation, he had clogged the
engine at point whence, taking
tide and current into consideration
I'VE might count upon drifting to the
ewater end of Artist Murphy's lawn.
AS we drew nearer and he stealth
lily pointed out to me the location,
was able to descry little grove Of
trees, black In the starlight, making
a horizontal barrier across the limit
FED enclosure, and hiding. like a rope
portiere, the bungalow from the riv-
Ter, Through this no lights penetrated
and ! began to doubt that, after all
my pains, / should find at home the
object Of their takinp
|! A catboat, with sail wrinkling in
the uncertain breeze, glided by US, al.
most too near for comfort, and we
caught sentence, two sentences, In
fact, from the conversation Of the
occupants:
Nobody knows him." in clear, ring
ing masculine tones; and, Hes
handsome, If he is surly," in a wom-
ans voice.
I, | wondered If they were speaking
Of Murphy. My telephone inquiry of
Cameron and subsequent questioning
of the men about my place had
proved to me that both observations
would apply No one seemed to know
very much Of this brawny, sandy
giant, in spite of his two years resi-
dence in the neighborhood.
Now the shores shadow was en-
quilting US, and the next moment, with
gentle swish Of waters, we felt the
boats bottom crate on the pebbly
beach, There was a landing short
distance further up-a spindling
wooden pier-and to this Jerry, knee
deep in the black water, turned the
boat and made 1t fast.
The prospect which confronted US
as we walked shoreward over the
creaking planks was about as hos
pitable as the grim walls of prison.
The tree barrier rose stark and for
bidding a dozen yards away. Be.
tween 1t and the river was COM
bination of pebbles, sand, high grass,
and ragged overgrown lawn, family
visible in the starlight. On nearer
approach, however, we found an OPEN
ing in the curtain Of trees, veritable
valley Of shadow, through which we
passed to strip of neglected sward
and a squat, implanted weather.beat-
en- cottage of single story, with
yine-screened verandah.
And in what seemed to US the very
center of the house front, there shone
a tiny glowing point Of red fire. We
had not come altogether in vain. BY
all the odds Of chance, 1t was a safe
conclusion that Murphy, in propria
persona, was behind that lighted end
Of cigar. Then we saw the point
move, describing a half circle, and ST.
simultaneously a voice rang out--a
deep, sonorous voice, but Of churlish
information:
What do you want here?"
Z | suppose he expected me to come
to sudden halt, but was then only
few steps distant from the veran-
dab, and as 7 answered him, / GOV.
cred that distance.
"My motor boat ran out Of gaso.
lene," l said, "and drifted to your
beach. | was Id hopes we might Dor.
row enough to get US home"
l saw him now, dimly, in the shad-
owed recess. He was seated facing
me, creature of great bulk, with
huge head and ponderous shoulders.
81 don't keep gasolene," was his
gruff response.
81 thought" / began, but his next
utterance drowned my words.
Il say l don't keep It," he reiter-
ated, in louder tones. isn't that
plain?"
"oh, quite. You have neither gaso-
lene nor good manners"
; l saw him rise, a massive tower,
dwarfng his surroundings, and take
a step forward to the edge Of his
porch.
"This is my house and my CASTLE"
he flung at me, savagely, "and won't
stand for trespassers. If you two
don't want to be flung off my proper
ty, 1t would be advisable for you to
make haste in going"
My laugh was not calculated to
salve his Ill humor, yet think he
must have gathered from 1t that was
not to be terrorized by either his
size or his threats.
Your names Murphy, think" l
ventured, calmly, not moving an inch.
But he made no response.
Mine is Clyde" l went on; II am
one of the state game wardens."
I'm not interested In who you