Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-07-04

boots. skipping about on one foot
amid much profanity. That the boot
conquered WAS evident when the man
crawled Into the crcaSing bed. an
nouncing deiantly, IF the landlord
wants them boots on. let him come
an pull 'em of" Across the hall
was rattle of chips. and the voices
OF several men. occasionally raised in
anger. Now and then they would
stamp on the floor as an order for
liquid refreshments from below. From
somewhere beyond. the long-drawn
melancholy howl Of a distressed dog
greeted the rising moon.
Out from all this pandemonium
Keith began to unconsciously detect
the sound Of voices talking IN the
room to his left. In the lull of OBJ
strucing sound a few words reached
aim through the slight open space be-
tween wall and ceiling.
Hell, Bill, what's the use goin' out
again when we haven't the price?"
oh, We might find Bart somewhere,
and he'd stake US. 1 guess know
enough to make him loosen up. Como
on; I'm goin'."
Not me; this town is too near
Fort Hays; I'm liable to run into
some Of the fellows"
chair scraped across the floor as
Bill arose to his feet; evidently from
the noise he had been drinking. but
Keith heard him lift the latch Of the
door,
All right, Willoughby." he said,
thickly. I'll try my luck, an if see
Bart I'll tell him yer here. So long"
He shufIled along the hall and
went, half sliding, down stairs. and
Keith distinguished the click of glass
and bottle in the next room. He was
sitting up in bed now, wide awake.
Obsessed with a desire to invest-
gate. The reference overheard must
have been to Hawley. and If so. this
WillOUghby, who was afraid of meet
ing soldiers from the fort. would be
the deserter Miss Hope was seeking.
There could be no harm IN making
sure, and he slipped into his clothes.
and as silently as possible, unlatched
his door. There was a noisy crowd at
the farther end of the hall. and the
sound of some one laboriously mount
ing the stairs. Not desiring to be
seen. Keith slipped swiftly toward the
door Of the other room. and tried the
latch. 1t was unfastened, and he
stepped quietly within, closing it be
hind him.
4 small lamp was on the washstand.
a half-emptied bottle and two glasses
beside It, while a pack of cards lay
scattered on the floor. Fully dressed.
except for a coat the sole occupant
lay on the bed, but started up at
heith's unceremonious. entrance.
reaching for his revolver. which had
slipped to the wrong side OF his belt.
What the hell!" he exclaimed.
startled and confused.
The intruder took one glance at him |
through the dingy light-a boy OF |
eighteen, dark hair, dark eyes. his |
face, already exhibiting signs Of dis
slpauon, yet manly enough In ehin |
and mouth-and smiled
could draw while you were think !
ing about IT," ne said. easily. but l !
am not here on the fight Are YOU
Fred Wnloughby?"
ANO i"u stdleu at MN, his uncer-
tain hand now closed on the 5utt OF
his revolver, yet held inactive by the
others quiet assurance.
What do you want to know for?
Curiosity largely; thought I'd like
% ask you a question or two"
fou-yQu're 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, am