The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-11-29

II thought you said he came into
your room and turned on the light"
did say that?'
Eyes. ma'am.'
"Where vii, he sleep tonight?"
"If he can't furnish bail it'll be in a
CELL"
Mrs. Hughes did not doubt that the
prisoner could furnish bail. At any
rate, he was quite we'll to do.
II hope you'll appear against him
1t don't Go to let these rascals so un
punished. Good night. ma'am.'
The policeman withdrew. the house
was locked up. the lights put out and
Mrs. Hughes went back to bed.
Mr.. Hooking. having returned from
the theater party. had put his night
key into the lock of the front door, to
find it would not work. He turned
the knob and was surprised that the
door had not been locked. Thinking
of the scolding he would give the serv
ants in the morning for their careless
ness, he hung up his coat and hat and
went upstairs to his room. as he sup
posed, but really to the adventure
that has been described. On beating a
retreat he ran out the front door into
the arms Of Il policeman. An ex.
PLANTATION followed that was not ac-
cepted. Mr.. Hooking was run in and
told his story to the sergeant. The
sergeant had no authority to release
him, but let him go for the night or
his own bail bond.
The next time Mrs. Hughes met MI
Hooking on the street she gave hin.
| the dead cut. This threw the gentle,
man, to speak in sailors lingo. "ol hi
beam ends" His heart sank into his
boots. Mrs. Hughes cut plainly in
dicated that she had been in the room
he had entered. had seen him and con
siderel that he was no better than ::
common thief Whether or no he was
in love with her, his being thus sud
denly treated by her with d sdaiN
flied him with horror. Why had hv
not the morning after his unfortunate
mistake gone to her. confessed that
he had made it ana offered his apollo
gies? He had thought of doing SO; but,
hoping that his Identity had not been
known to her, he had refrained. Now
he saw his error. but too late.
1t required some time for Mr.. Hook
ing to recover his equanimity. but when
he did and considered what course to
pursue from that point he saw plainly
that to demean himself still further
would make matters worse. The only
hope for him-a ghost of q hope-was
to make Il bluff To do this he must
have an opportunity. and an oppor-
sibly he might make an opportunity
After a good many discussions with
himself on the matter he saw that the
widow had the whiphand of him be-
yond recovery.
So he continued to 20 in and out of
dows, as he had formerly been accus-
toned to do. but the widow often from
Il retired spot where she could not be
seen looked out through the windows
when he came home and from his ex-
preston endeavored to ascertain his
mental condition so far as that condi-
ton pertained to her. While the advan-
tage of her position was evident, she
had no assurance that Mr.. bookings
dabasement would work him into that
feyersh condition she considered love
to be.
Tie second time Mrs. Hughes me-
Mr.. Hooking was face to face at q so
cial function. He was talking to q
lady beside him. but on seeing Mrs
Hush lie gave evidence Of panic
The widow saw his companion look u,
at Inn rs if to learn what was the mat
ter with him. Though this did no
prove that 10 was suffering from any
thing except unmelyiful treatmcn
willie occupying an unfortunate posi-
ton. the woman who was trying t
crush him was convinced that he W.T.
In torture
Another NOE. II went br. and who.
she examined his face as be passed o.
the sidewalk. which she dd With
lorenette. SIZE saw unmistakable sign
of q h"ea kGown. She dehated whe!ha
to give h'r, encouragement to al
proarh hor or watt till he was ready t
surrender. ~" chose the latter collrs,
Mr.. IoC king kent going from bad
worec til snting returned, and CT
evening WHOM he ca NE home the spiln
that was watching tho fy was sittin
by 81 window o. ening from the floor
her drawing vU0Ll. AZ he az ended n
sie2s he passed. then steTned on to Il
balto and entered the window.
Il have considered you both Uniu
and ungenrrous." he said. lin shown
your diS(ain for what you must hav,
known was n r,istule. Were you t.
me what al! other women are woul,
be too proud TO beg You to descen"
from that position. But you are no
what other women are to me. You
good orin!on is re e'sary to my yer.
life. Remove the cloud that rests be
tween lis or | shall so mad"
He spoke with bowed head. Whr'
he looked up at her. net KNOWING
w. @,,s