The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-02-26
The
Stolen
Singer
BY Martha BeIlinger
lCopynsht, isii, the Bo5bs. Norm Compani
CHAPTER Xxx.

Odille .hluBSDuIy WOulu nave given
up the ghost without more ado, had
she known what secular and unminis-
terial passions were converging about
Parson Thayers peaceful library. AS
it was, she had a distinct feeling that
life wasn't as simple as 1t had been
heretofore, and that there were puz.
zling problems to solve. She was al.
most certain that she had caught Mr..
Hand using an oath; though when she
charged him with it, he had said that
he had been talking Spanish to him
self-he always did when he was
alone. Sallie didn't exactly know the
answer to that, but told him that she
hoped he would remember that she
was professor. Whats that?" in
CURED Hand.
Its a Christian in good and regl-
lar standing, and it's what you ought
to be-" said Sallie.
And now that nice Mr.. Chamber
lain, whom she had fed in the early
morning, had dashed up to the kitch-
en- door behind Little Simons best
port, and then had disappeared. The
man had also unceremoniously left
her kitchen. He might be a minister
brought there to oficiate at the church
on the following Sabbath, Sallie sur
missed; but on second thought she dis
missed the idea. He didn't look like
any minister she had ever seen, and
was very far indeed from the Parson
Thayer type.
Hercules Thayer's business, includ-
ing his ministerial duties, had formed
the basis and staple of Sallie'G affec-
Tomato interest for seventeen years,
and it wasn't her nature to give up
that interest, now that the chief actor
had stepped from the stage. So she
speculated and wondered, while she
did more than her share of the work
She picked radishes from the garden
for supper, threw white screening over
the imposing loaves of bread still cool
ing on the side table, and was sharp
ening a knife on milestone, prepare
tory to carving thin slices from veal
loaf that stood near by, when she was
accosted by some one appearing in
the doorway.
"Is this the Red House?" 1t was
cool, sharp voice, sounding even more
outlandish than Mr.. Hands. Sallie
turned deliberately toward the door
and surveyed the newcomer.
"Well, yes; / guess so. But you
don't need to scare the daylights outer
me, that way"
The stranger entered the kitchen
and pulled out chair from the table.
Give me something to eat and drink
the best you have, and be quick
about it, too"
Sallie paused, carving knife in hand,
looking at him with frank curiosity.
well, l snum! You amt the new
minister either, now, are you?"
The stranger made no answer. He
had thrown himself into the chair, as
IL tired. Suddenly he sat up and look
ed around alertly, then at Sallie, who
was returning his gaze with interest.
"Where are you from, anyway
she inquired 1--WE don't see people
like you around these parts very oft
en-"
81 dare say" he snarled. "Are you
going to get me a meal, or must
tramp over these COMPOUNDED hills all
day before / can eat?"
"Oh, I'll get you up bite. if that's
all you want. never turned anybody
away hungry from this door yet, and
we've had many worse looking
tramp than you. l guess Miss Red
mond won't mind"
"Miss Redmond" The stranger
started to his feet, glowering on Sal
lie Look here! Is this place a ho-
tel, or isn't it?"
"Well, anybody'd think it was, the
way I've been driven from pillar to
post for the last ten days! But you
can stay; III get you meal, and
good one, too"
Sallie's good nature was rewarded
by a CONFUSION of anger on the part
of the guest. Fool! IDIOT" he
screamed. "You trick me in here
You lie to me-"
"Oh, set down, set down." inter-
rupted Sallie. "You don't need to get
SO het up as all that! I'll get you
something to eat. There amt any ho-
tel within five miles of here-and
poor one at that" Thus protesting
and attempting to soothe, Sallie saw
the stranger make a grab for his hat
and start for the door, only to find
1t suddenly shut and locked in his
face. Mr.. Chamberlain, moreover, was
on the inside, facing the foreigner
IF you will step through the house
and go out the other way" Mr.. Cham
berlain remarked coolly, 1T will oblige
me. My horse is loose in the yard,
and I'm afraid you'll scare him OF.
He's shy with strangers"
The two men measured glances.
Il thought you travelled afoot when
pursuing your real estate business"