Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-12-02

country"
NO." replied the other. II have
been trying to see you to tell you. but
I met with an accident and have been
laid up with broken leg, and dared
not write. Tonight is the first time
have been out, and only came in re-
Spouse to your urgent note. failed to
get the last ones. The daughter was
bringing them from the post office, and
l tried to snatch them from her, when
bear-a wild thing-sprang out of
the bushes, and I-made off without get
ting them"
and entered the main room again, go
ing directly to where a group of men,
five in all, were seated about a corner
table. "
These persons all appeared to be
artisans Of some sort, and by their
dress, none too prosperous. All, how
ever, knew Rowe, although they gave
him no special greeting. Leaning over
In their midst, he spoke quickly In a
low voice, again using Spanish.
1.-THE sonora is here" he said, "and
has pledged herself to our cause, as l
promised you she would do. She will
receive you all in token of her pledge,
but do not talk too much to her, as she
is ill, having tainted earlier in the
evening, and is also agitated at this
adventure. She has come to you, as
you see, at great risk to her reputa-
ton. Let us spare her as much as
possible"
There were murmurs Of assent, and
Yznaga, who was one of the men,
spoke up.
There are some estimates" he said,
which 1 brought this evening. We
can secure a fat bit of graft from the
Maxman Arms company, as we'll as
getting the inventory as soon as he
pays for it." t,.~.,
Have you them here?" said Rowe.
Let me see." J..
"Yes," replied the man, fumbling
about in his breast pocket. Here they
are. Sit down a minute and look at
them. We shall all have to go directly
we have seen her. Mike will be closing
up" E,.
With quick interest Rowe spread the
documents, q martial list of rifles and
ammunition, upon the table, and at
once all seven heads were bent over
them, the talk sinking to humm1ng,
scarcely audible three feet away.
Behind the bar sat Mike, adding up
his accounts. From his ledger he
glanced at the wide pasty face OF the
clock opposite, and then at the group
at the largest table. Would they never
go home? Their glasses were empty.
Then suddenly, as one man, they arose
and following Rowe (who was friend
to Mickey by virtue Of fifty-dollar
billy, went to the inner room. They
did not enter, but stood at the door.
Mickey strained his ears to hear the
lady speak, but whatever greeting she
uttered was said in SO low voice as
not to be articulate from where he
sat. Then the man who had produced
the paper spoke.
1--WE shall not disturb you, sonora"
he said, "for you are fatigued. We
merely wish to pay you our homage.
and assure you Of our fidelity"
Again that low murmur, and then,
one by one, all bowed and left save
Rowe and the cab driver, who entered
the little room, closing the door after
them. -
Jaw, some funny things happens"
said Mickey, not however, with any spe-
cial reference to humor. He stretched
himself and yawned. They'll be 60
ing in a minute" he added presently.
GLORY be, they are the last" ttis
Suddenly he stopped, remembering
a couple who were seated In the semi
obscurity by the stove. Earlier In the
evening these two and their bear had
entered the then crowded saloon, and
though the throng had grown steadily
less, and the coins fewer, they had lin
gered, loath to be turned out into the
storm. Also they had bought, so Mickey
let them remain, and now the woman,
an ancient soul, picturesque and hag-
gard, had fallen asleep where she sat-;
overcome perhaps by her last glass of
rum.
Her companion was man of per-
haps thirty-flve, unshaven. shabby in a
suit of clothing that had originally
been of faultless cut and style.
It was Sam Hill, but Hill so stripped
of smugness, so shorn Of vanity, and
so sensitive to the true context of his
environment, that his friends would
have been hard put to recognize him.
At his feet lay Mr.. Jones, the bear,
asleep, and between his teeth he
clutched short blackened pipe Of
clay. On the table at his hand liquor
glass of brandy stood untouched. To
himself he was saying, apropos Of
Rowe: "Now who the deuce is that
man? Where have seen his rascally
face before?" Then Mickey advanced.
You'll have to get out Of this, you
two" he said sharply; come on now,
rouse up and be of with you!"
Without otherwise moving, Hill took
UP his glass and drained 1t.
you've a snug berth here" said he.
'Why not let US sleep the night by
your stove? It's showing now. and we
are honest folk. You'll find nothing
missing in the morning."
That's a good one," laughed Mickey.
Let you sleep here. indeed! I guess
not! Come on now, old lady, wake up
and shuttle" -
He was about to lay his hand upon
her shoulder when Sam grpped his
forearm and gently pushed him aside.
Astonished at his guests strength, the
husky Irishman stepped back, and
watched while Hill gently awoke the
old woman.
Awake, Nita," eaid Hill. Come, lit
tie blossom of the bramble-vine. our
host is giving us godspeed."
Quickly she was awake, .regaining
consciousness with that speed which is
faculty OF those who are old. With
a grotesque gesture she Strengthened
the handkerchief upon her head, and
gathering her shawl about her with