The Detroit times., 1912-10-09


pines. standing together about ten
Yards from the lake. You can't help
but find H. Give him the clothes and
this check.book and fountain pen.
can't use them and you two won't
get gay with them cause Mixes a
coward. and James has too much
sense"
You're a damn fool said James
shortly.
He's ali right argued Nike. mean,
ing the man in the forest shades
What can hurt him."
Il know. but he's mighty uncom-
Portable Can't sit down, maybe, and
there may be flies and mosquitoes
Nav" protested Mike. He's just
comfortable. II n was the style,
would like to have gone naked to-
day"
Hell have the police after youse,
warned James, AS soon as he can
reach the village"
Sure he will. Gratitude Is a flow
er." said Mike grandiloQuently that
have never picked
And never will, added James
with grim pessimism.
That's all right" returned the
Watermelon. IL amt gathering any
flowers this trip. Here's ten-spot
for each OF you, and mind you do
what I say"
For you said Mike. I'D give me
hearts blood"
Where do we find this pond?" ask
ed James.
Come with me and I'll take you to
the road that leads by II. You give
me time to get To the hotel. though,
before you give him his clothes"
Trust me-" said Mike, lovingly
concealing the greenback in the dark
dirty recesses OF his rags
They parted In the road where the
Watermelon had come upon the
big red touring car. Mike and James
watched him until he disappeared
over the top OF the hill, then climbed
the wall and made their way through
the woods TO the little mountain lake.
We won't get the clothes" said
James. until we have had talk with
the guy and tried to get him into a
reasonable frame OF mind It's just
likely that he may be somewhat put
out"
There was no one in sight as they
made their way cautiously TO the
edge OF the lake. The trees grew
nearly down to the narrow, pebbly
beach and we're reflected In the quiet
depths OF the water The little brook
tumbling over its miniature waterfall
with a ripple and splash. was the only
sound that broke the all-pervading
silence Nothing stirred in the un.
derbrush. neither man nor beast, and
James and Mike were about to slip
away as quietly as they came when
q stick snapped behind them sharply
and Mike wheeled.
A man was peering at them eagerly
over the tops OF a few bushes. His
face was white and his teeth chatter
ing. His arms. dimly discerned
through the branches, were wrapped
around his shivering form with fervoT
and he was standing gingerly on first
one foot and then the other.
Hello" said Mike facetiously. Go
ing I'M" and he nodded casually back
ward to the lake.
Been in" chartered the miserable
wretch, trying TO control his teeth Sc
that he could say more.
vised James solicitously. Your lips
look blue
BAD for the heart said Mike.
I'VE amt ladies' added James with
delicacy. You might come out from
them bushes"
"Some-some one stole my-my-
my clothes" stammered the young
man, stepping carefully forth. Been
here-here since this-this morning. .
He looked sharply at the shabby pair
before him, with quick distrust In his
bloodshot eyes and added coldly,
"Some-some tramp"
Did you see him?" asked James
"No-no-no. But who else could
have stolen them?"
II" said Mike, drawing himself up
to his five feet and throwing
back his pudgy shoulders, Il am a
tramp. trust, sir. you meant no
Insult TO me profession"
The stranger waved the question
aside. Get me some clothes and
I'll give you some money"
What money!" asked James.
II will send you some. am rich.
MY car IL In the road. Maybe you
woods to the hotel TO get tow up,
for was out Of gasoline, when I saw
the lake. II was early and | thought
7 would take a swim. Maybe you saw
my car by the side OF the road?"
II didn't see no car" said Mike.
did you come by the road?"
Yes, a narrow wood road"
Yes, yes; that's where | left t.
The damned thief has probably gone
OF with my car, too"
Then he couldn't be a tramp" and
James judiciously. "Tramps don't
knew nothing about motor-cars."
Maybe he took IL up to the hotel
said Mike, cheerfully helpful
The stranger shook his head. mo.
be wouldn't do that. He would get
out Of the country as fast as he
could"
"if there wasn't no gasoline" sug.
gested James tentatively.
He could easily get some from the
hotel IL was early when he stole my
clothes" And James realized with
relief that the youth before him was,
In his own eyes. always right and al
vice wholly superfiuous.
Il saw a big red car" said Mike.
down the road bit. over the other
SIDE OF the village, going south. But
maybe your car wasn't red"
Yes yes, II was. cried the strang-
or what vas the make? Gould
you ten?'
A lnomas car"
81 A NJ L. Inc a.