The Washington herald., 1913-11-02
THE ROVER
lCopight, l9l3)
CHAPTER I.

where tall, black-haired and black-eyeo
John Ames stood, the picture Of discon.
tent.
I'D rather have a crouch that pays
his bills" responded the clerk, who had
grown gray-haired on suspicion His
week was up yesterday morning."
They both looked speculatively across
at Ames, who was, at that moment,
moodily engaged in hating the hotel,
the town, and the train which brought
him to it. The girl finished her in
spection first, and, with a thoroughly
satisfied manner, fumbled in her purse
and produced a quarter which she lalo
on the corner of the desk.
Bet you the two bits he pays his bin
tonight" she offered.
The clerk, studying John Ames in an
entirely new light, pushed back the
coin.
IF he don't he'll get a call" he
laughed.
AS if in answer TO their thought, the
tall young man suddenly turned and
strode across to the desk The tele-
phone girl, who was a plain blonde
watched him furtiyely out of the corners
of her eyes. He was one of the sort for
whom she had a mighty respect; hand
some young fellow who could be agree
able without being fresh.
What time can I get train Tor
L,annvilIe?" asked Ames in a habitually
pleasant voice.
The clerk was instantly attentive, and
the lines which ran from the corners
of his mouth and pouched his cheeks,
lost some of their grimness. His conn.,
dence was restored, and he was quite
prepared TO like John Ames.
There isn't a good one until 4:l5 a.
M" he replied, giancing at the CLOCK.
The $50 is just about leaving the depot
unless it's late" and he touched the
head porter'S bell.
The head porter, who had the breadtn
Of a billboard, moved like a fat section
of scenery.
'On time. sir reported Joe in
brogue of many dimensions. and he
smiled quite confidently and frankly
I'D at John Ames. He had no worry
whatever about Mr.. Ames. That gen
tleman had given him a dollar for haul
ing up his luggage and would give MIN
another for hauling il down.
Ames gave the lobby one more chance,
ard frowned. There was not an inter
csting face in sight Three iron-coun-
tenanced ladies came in and crossed the
parlor. They flashed with diamonds and
rustled with silk, and left an aggravat-
ing stream of heavy perfume in their
wake.
What time can I get a train for
Lynchtown?" Ames inquired. and catch
ing the eye of the telephone girl gave
her a friendly nod.
Once more the clerk looked puzzled.
Ames had been with them over a week
and no one knew why. He had asked
many questions but none of them hung
together Lynchtown was in exactly
the opposite direction from Cannville.
.'Nine-fifteen, sir" offered Joe. Shall
! bring down your luggage?
u think so" replied Ames with in
Inference. Get me a ticket and a lower
oerth," and he Ioafed over to the cash
ier.s window. The bill for GA" hel
requested.
The cashier cast on him one inquir-
ing glance and silently went about max
ing up the bill. The telephone girl lean
ed over TO the grim-cheeked clerk.
''Piker, YOU wouldn't bet" she Chided
him.
oh. knew he was all right declared
the clerk.
\ gentleman and two ladies stepped
II. to the desk The man, who was in
evening dress, was a decidedly pros
porous looking chap. young and Wig
orous in spite of his iron-gray hair,
wore a plump mustache and was quite
Erusque of manner.
Il ordered a box for the Grand 20 be
delivered here" he announced to the
clerk
I don't think they've come yet, Mr..
Dennison." returned the clerk, with
bow to the ladies. Are you going 10
Gine with u.s.
Yes" said Dennison. not gruffiy. but
in the manner OF man who is used
tC three-minute appointments.
III look up the tickets for you, and
send them in TO you as soon as they
come offered the clerk.
Thanks" accepted Dennison, and re-
ioined the ladies'
These latter We're quite evidently
mother and daughter. The mother was
still a very handsome woman, but the
daughter was startling in her beauty.
She had glanced at Ames. for an appre-
cIative fraction of a second, out of
particularly sparkling blue eyes. Her
hair was of shining golden bronze, and.
with her perfect piquant features, she
was like a bit of warmly tinted Dresden.
Ames went over to the clerk as soon
as the group had left the desk.
Il haven't seen those people before,
he observed. his eyes straying again to
the retreating figure of the girl. DO
they live here?"
That's Tom Dennison. of the Mid
state lnterurban Lines.
And family, 1 suppose. guessed
Ames.
wife ana daughter lnt CleEh III
formed him. They're just back from
Chicago.
The Midstate Interurban Lines" spec
uIated Ames. They've been trying to
get an entrance in Plainsberg, haven't
they?"
"Dennison's been trying it here for
two years." smiled the clerk. THE local
traction company, however, have the
town tied up. They're building some in
terurban lines of their own. The trac-
ton company is virtually owned and op-
Grated by our busiest little politicians"
It see," responded Ames, and was
thoughtful for a moment, then he worked
over to the cashiers window. "Tn take
nv bill to yesterday morning" he di-
rected will you please tell the head
porter not to get that transportation"
He went back to the clerk, and he had
lost all his nstless indifference. viii
YOU kindly see II you can secure me a
good ticket for the Grand tonight?" he
requested
CHAPTER IL
Tom Dennison's door slammed like the
bursting of an auto tire. and there came
out a man so tall that he seemed al
most to be stoop-shouldered from pass
ing through low doorways. His hands
hung nearly to his knees, and one
shoulder was higher than the other. One
side of his big face, too, was squinted,
as if the jaw had been violently poked
upward and had never Strengthened down
again. His widest eye glanced fe-
r-ociously on John Ames as he passed