Evening journal., 1914-11-09
I-THE LAsT WARNING-

1.-THE LAST WARNING.
In the chill, violetshadowed dusk Of that clear
evening chapfallen motor car crept sluggshly
into the little mountain town OF Mesquite at
the heels of two mutinous mules, driven by
chauffeur who steered with one hand while the
other hourished cracking whiplash over the
backs OF its sole motive power.
Its one. passenger cripple helpless as the
car ITSELF huddled in a corner Of the rear seat,
sauted Mesquite with a snar1. Though he was in
sore need of such rude comforts as the town stood
prepared to afford him. his demeanor toward it
was that Of one who suffers indignity rather
than begs accommodation
And now, as the car crawled to a pause before
the Mountain house-Mesquite's one caravanserai
and Mesquite itself to the last hea-bitten hound,
gathered round to view this wonder. Mr.. Trines
indignation and chagrin distilled words Of poison
Gus import.
Far from resenting this, Mesquite, pipe in mouth,
hands in pockets, admired and applauded and rath-
er resented the change that befell when two other
strangers (whose earlier appearance in town had
helped make that day memorable beyond all
others in Mosquitoes history charged out of the
Mountain house and interrupted the elder devil
with cries Of greeting and jubiation.
The leader Of these answered to the of
Marrophat; his companion a person named
Jimmy One guarded word from Marrophat was
all that was required to change the old mans
paths to phrases of honeyed appreciation.
What passed between the trio after they dsap-
peared behind that bedchamber door Mesquite
could by means guess. But that a celebration
OF some sort was in progress evidenced by
the frequency with which Marrophat and Jimmy
called the bar for more liquid refreshment as
well by bursts of laughter long and loud and
somehow strangely cynical Of accent.
And toward midnight beated Mesquite
paused in the street outside the Mountain house
for last curious stare at the lighted windows
OF Mr. Trne's quarters and so witnessed an Incl
dent which puzzled him by fits and starts through.
out the balance of his days.
He saw clearly silhouetted against the glowing
obong Of the window the Mephistophelean profile
OF Seneca Trine distorted with a grimace of the
orueest JOY that ever heart of man conceived He
saw Marrophat approach his master with drunk
en- swagger and a speech which, though indistn.
Euishable to the unseen auditor, unquestOnably
afforded both OF the other'men ample excuse for
ecstatic glee. Toward its conclusion Mr. Mario
phat apparently capped the peak of jubilaton by
fumbling in his coat pocket and bringing forth
something which strongly resembed a single play
ing card
Now when he had contrived to master his mirth
the cripple made gesture which eloquently abol
shed this card. gesture which said quite plainly:
"All that is finished The thing has served its
purposel To hell with IT,"
Whereupon, with a smart jerk Of his wrist Mr.
Marrophat sent the card spinning and sailing out
through the open window to lose itself in the
night.
The watcher didn't see it fall. and though he
spent unconscionable time searching for Il in
The deep dust of the roadway, he went his way in
the end with curiosity unsated Fate had reserved
that card for higher purpose
Undisturbed IL lay where it had fallen face up
ward, not dozen feet from the front door of the
Mountain house, until another day dawned on
Mesquite
Then, in the clear light of that dawn. four more
strangers struggled into town-two weary and hag-
gard men, two footsore and bedraggled women.
One of these last was dressed I'm a suit of man s
clothing much the worse for The other
members Of the party and all wore the look
Of people who have escaped the jaws OF death by
the narrowest Of imaginable squeaks.
At sight of the Mountain house the party be-
trayed slight symptoms of a more cheerful spirit;
rejoicing in its promise Of food and drinks and
beds wthal wherein to sleep the four quickened
their steps
But Of a sudden one Of the women-she who
wore the garments OF her sex-paused, uttered a
low cry athrill with terror and clutching the arm
Of the man nearest her, pointed down to the card
that stared up from the dust at her feet.
II was a Trey of Hearts.
II-FULL FLIGHT
oh what can it mean ?" Rose whispered broken
ly, cnging to her lovers arm. Surely you don't
think Surely it must be accidental .
Surely it can't mean"
"I'm afraid 1t does" Alan Law responded grave
ly eyeing the front OF the Mountain house. Our
luck holds consistently-that's ALL It wouldn't be
us if we didn't pick out the place where Mar
rophat and Jimmy chose TO stop night. For
tunately, it's early doubt they're up. With half
show we ought to be able TO find way OF
putting good distance between and this town
before they waken Toni"
But Mr. Barcus already at his elbow, in
thorough sympathy with Alans Interpretation OF the
significance to be attached TO the card that trem-
bled in Roses hand.