Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-10-16


dalnful grunt. turned and went out'
disgust In every feature-plain. I'M
mistakable, downright disgust. and
nothing more!
This was what gave Sweetwater
his second bad night; this and a GER
tain discovery he made. He had count
ed on hearing what went on In the
neighboring room through the parti'
ton running back of his own closet.
But he could hear nothing. unless II
was the shutting down Of a window,
loud sneeze, or the rafting Of Goals
as they were put on the fire. And
these possessed no Significance. What
he wanted was to catch the secret
sigh, the muttered word, the involun'
tary movement He'was too far re-
moved from this man still.
How should he manage to get near
er him-at the door of his mind-of
his heart? Sweetwater stared all
night from his miserable cot into the
darkness Of that separating closet.
and with no result. His task looked
hopeless; no wonder that he could get
no rest.
Next morning he felt Ill. but he rose
all the same, and tried to get his own
breakfast. He had but partially sue
ceeded and was sitting on the edge OF
his bed in wretched discomfort, when
the very man he was thinking OF ap-
peared at his door.
'Tve come to see how you are.
said Brotherson. 81 noticed that you
didn't look we'll last night. Won't you
come in and share my pot Of coffee"
IL can't eat" mumbled Sweet.
water, for once In his life thrown
completely off his balance. You're
very kind, but I'll manage all right.
I'd rather. I'm not quite dressed. you
see. and / must get to the shop"
Then he thought-"What an oppor-
tunity I'm losing. Have / any right
to turn tail because he plays his game
from the outset with trumps? No,
I've a small trump somewhere about
me to lay on this trick. 1t isn't an
ace, but It'll show I'm not chicane."
And smiling, though not with his
usual cheerfulness. Sweetwater added,
rs the coffee all made? might take
drop Of that. But you mustn't ask
me to eat-I just couldn't"
Eyes, the coffee is made and It isn't
bad either. You'd better put on your
coat; the halls draughty." And walt
ing till Sweetwater did so, he led the
way back to his own room. Brother
sons manner expressed perfect ease,
Sweetwater's not. He knew himself
changed in looks, in bearing, in feel
ing, even; but was he changed enough
to deceive this man on the very SPOT
where they had confronted each other
a few days before In keen moral
struggle?
I'm going out myself today, so
we'll have to hurry Bit" was Broth
erson's first remark as they seated
themselves at table. do you like your
coffee plain or with milk in III"
plain. Gosh! what pictures!
Where do you get EN-? You must
have a lot of coin" Sweetwater was
staring at the row Of photographs,
mostly Of a very high order. tackled
along the wall separating the two
rooms. They we're unframed, but they
were mostly copies Of great pictures,
and the effect was rather imposing in
contrast to the shabby furniture and
the otherwise homely fittings.
Eyes, I've enough for that kind OF
thing" was his hosts reply. But the
tone was reserved, and Sweetwater
did not presume again along this line.
Instead, he looked we'll at the books
piled upon the shelves under these
photographs, and wondered aloud at
their number and at the man who
could waste such lot Of time In read
ing them. But he made no more d.
rect remarks.
Yet there was one cheerful moment
It was when he noticed the careless
way in which those books were ar
ranged upon their shelves An idea
had come to him. He hid his relief
in his cup, as he drained the last
drops Of the coffee, which really
tasted better than he expected.
When he returned from work that
afternoon 1t was with an auger under
his coat and 4 conviction which led
him to empty out the contents OF a
small phial which he took down from
a shelf. He had told Mr.. Gryce that
he was eager for the business because
Of it's difficulties, but that was when
he was feeling fine and up to any
game which might come his way. Now
he felt weak and easily discouraged.
This would not do. He must regain
his health at all hazards, so he poured
out the mixture which had given him
such a sickly air. This done and
rude supper eaten, he took up his
auger. He had heard Mr.. Brother.
sons step go by. But next minute
he laid It down again In great haste
and flung a newspaper over IT, Mr..
Brotherson was coming back, had
stopped at his door, had knocked and
must be let In.
You're better this evening"" he
heard in those kindly tones which 80
confused and irritated him.