Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-10-31

urban square was the present smiling
and prosperous 1. Lovejoy, who
beamed, who laughed, who pressed
his best yiands upon them. True, he
was still very fat-fatter than ever
but the world had gone well with him.
and he seemed to have used his smil
ing likeness on the wagons exterior
as an example to be lived up to.
well, welli What brings you way
off here?" he asked, when they had
eaten.
For a moment Pedro hesitated, and
then, locking into the honest, red face,
decided to give his confidence and re-
lated the cause of their sudden appear
ance in the wilderness of the Jersey
docks
You don't say!" said the fat man,
who had listened with great interest
and attention. You don't sayI Why,
1 seen the very fellerI A likely-lookin'
chap he was, too-and a friend of my
girls
Really? What good fortunei" cried
Pedro And then Lovejoy went on to
describe the meal that Hill had eaten
with him.
And what are you a-goin' to do
now?" he concluded
Il don't quite know" admitted Pc
dro, but what you have told us makes
me sure that we are on the right
track We might keep on going
through the saloons near by"
The fat man looked thoughtful for
a moment, scratching his head in ST.
lence. Then: 'Lookey hereI" he
burst out, them low-down money-get-
tin dives are no ladies' cafes, and it
amt safe to wander round 'em 'cept
in company. Now like you-you done
for me what can't repay, but I'll have
a try. I'm a-goin' to lock up this place
and I'm a-goin' with you
Good" exclaimed Pedro, holding
out his hand, you are-what does one
say-a brick. Isn't he, Beau-Jean, Ell?
But 1t is not necessary, and 1 beg that
you will not disturb yourself"
'Twon't disturb me none,' said Mr.
Lovejoy, "and 1 liked that young fell
Ter. l hate to think he may be a-lyin'
dead and cold in some wine-cellar,
pierced through the heart with dag
ger, or a hatpin, maybe. I'm a-goin'
ter help you revenge him, yes, if 1
lose money by it, by jingo!"
Il beg that you will do nothing to
make yourself a loss." cried Beau
Jean. who did not relish the prospect
of this addition to their party.
Although every fifty cents lost
keeps me just that much further from
my Lola" said Lovejoy solemnly, I'm
a-goin' to make the sacrifice this
time
Wherewith, he concealed a long
bread-knife in the inner pocket of his
overcoat, and, extinguishing the light,
announced that he was ready for &C
ton
Where now?" asked the giant, as
the three, followed, of course, by Mr.
Jones, strobe out into the night.
There's Beer Peters," suggested
the new member, have you tried
there?"
No" responded Pedro, where is
it?"
Follow me-" directed Loveioy, tits
a likely place"
They set off at once, and trudged on
in silence until low frame building,
abutting on the river and built par
TALLY on piles, was reached. Pushing
open the felt-covered doors, Lovejoy
paid for their entrance, and in an
other moment they were in the long,
low-ceilinged room that formed the
main portion of the building. A devas-
tating odor rushed out to meet them,
like blast from some evil furnace.
The place was blue with tobacco
smoke, and at the far end, beyond a
sea of little tables. a girl was singing
to the accompaniment of a cracked
piano.
At one end of this charming resort.
which was typical enough of it's class,
stood the glittering bar with a shining
array of glasses. mahogany and pol
ished metal, while opposite the en-
trance, in what appeared to be a
single-storied addition. was a room
for dancing. Near the wide opening
into this section, sat Theodore Pell,
the reporter, in company with three
companions-Elloch, the painter. and
two women. They were all very hila-
rious, but catching sight of Pedro, Pell
excused himself. and began a some
what uncertain progress in the direc-
ton of the newcomer At the same
instant a man who seemed to be in
authority there accosted the three and
demanded to know if they wanted to
have Mr.. Jones perform.
1.-THE house takes half of what Won
get" he added
here?' asked Pedro
Nope, never yet" said the man.
but it might 60 Try it on after the
next dance, If you like
Maybe l WILL" replied the other.