The Springfield herald., 1913-03-28

out one OF the children; because 1t
was this way: II he jumped out HIM
self the children were SO little they
couldn't drive. and they'd be tipped
up. and all three Of them lost. 80 he
throwed out the child he loved the
best. and they got to town safely; but
he went raving crazy. Well. l thought
Of him, and said. II baby died there'd
be tho more chance for the others
Look here, Wesley" his companion
interrupted. quit 1t! You're settins
light-headed. Get rid Of such fool
thoughts ~ those or you'll be going
OF to the insane asylum: and mighty
little use your family will have Of you
there!"
Orr gave him NO answer. Robbins
watched his impassive face and
frowned.
Hes not bAd-hearted. but he's des-
perate. You can't appeal to desper.
ate man." he thought, "and the other
boys are the same way. Therel be
wild work there tonight. unless that
young fool has the papers With him
and will give them up. You're fool.
George Robbins. to mix yourself up In
1t on the chance Of getting few dol.
lars from . Kansas City paper for q
telegram"
Silently the two men looked at the
nearing lights, while the wagon creak-
ed and swayed and ratified over the
road.
I'VE got to save the lantern to 60
home by" Orr remarked at last. "else
I'd light up; they amt got any more
lights in the streets. But ! guess We
can see."
There were enough lights In the
windows to reveal the wide unsidi-
ness Of the street, the black, boarded
windows OF the empty shops. the gaps
in the sidewalk, the haggard gardens.
where savage winds had blown the
heart out of deserted rose-trees and
geraniums. In general the skyline
was low and the roofs the simplest
peaks; but 1t was broken In a few
places by three and four storied brick
buildings OF the norid pomp on which
"a raw western town loves to lavish
its money. Now they loomed, dark
and silent, landmarks Of vanished am
bition. Robbins, who was man Of
parts and education. with fanciful
turn, felt the air of defeat and desola-
like miasma.
The upper story of the hotel was
dark. and the greater part of the
lower story; but the kitchen was
bright, and yellow light leaked through
every chink and crack In the once
blinds.
Boys have turned out well. 1
guess" said Robbins.
They better turn out!" said Orr.
No word was spoken by either while
they unhitched their horses, led them
within the sheds, and tied them
among the sorry company already
housed. Robbins noted that after Orr
had laid the blanket which had served
them for robe ON one thin back. he
flung his own quilt over the other.
Then they stumbled (for they were
unwieldly with cold) through the yard
to the hotel.
The once was full Of men, gathered
about the stove, talking to each other
The innkeeper, sat behind his counter.
affecting to busy himself with a blot
ted ledger. Originally he had been a
stout man. but he had lost flesh Of late
years. He was wrinkled and flabby,
and the furtive eyeshots that he cast
toward the stove were anxious beyond
his concealing. Any one. however.
could perceive that matters of heavy
import were being discussed. The
miserably clad men about the stove
all looked sullen. There was none of
the easy-going badinage SO habitual
with westerners. They exchanged
glances rather than words; what
words were spoken were uttered in
low tones.
Where is he?" said Orr, In the
same undertone to large man in a
buffalo coat The large man was the
sheriff Of the county. He jerked his
thumb over his shoulder in the direc-
tion Of the dining-room.
Whats he like?"
Little feller with a game leg"
Orr frowned. Robbins felt uncom.
Portable. A gaunt man on the out
skirts of the circle added: Hes
powerful slick, though; you can bet
your life. That girl Susy is all won
over already; and she's suspecting
something. sure's shooting. guess
she's warned him there's something
in the air."
We'll. II there is, don't know it."
said the sheriff
You never will know anything
about 1t. either" gray-haired man
added.
That's right, Kinney" two or
three spoke at once. But immediate
ly silence fell on them. Robbins.
who felt himself an outsider. could
see that the others drew closer to-
gether. Once or twice he caught SIN
lister murmurs. He began to wish
that he had not come.
..It would be no earthly use for me
to chip in and try to soften them." he
thought. They're crazy with defeat
and misery and the fool stun cam
paign orators have crammet down
their throats."
Just then the dining-room door
opened. and Robbins was the only one
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