Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-23
CHAPTER ".
In the Next Room.

For murder leaped up IN his heart II
flame leaps up pine kindling.
The weak young man got to hii
knees, then to his feet. He steadied
himself by clutching the back OF .
chair. With one hand he felt Of hii
throat tenderly.
"He tried to kill me, the black
guard" he croaked.
Craig, it is you! For ten year,
I've never thought of you without muir
der in my heart. Newell Craig. and
here, right where I can put my hands
upon you! Oh, this old world is
small" Warrington laughed. 1t was
a high. thin sound.
The young man looked from his en-
envy to his deliverer, and back again
What new row was this? Never be
fore had he seen the backyard with
that look in his dark, handsome, preda
tory face. 1t typified fear. And who
was this big, blond chap whose nngen
were working 80 convulsively?
Craig" said the young man. you
get out Of here, and il you ever come
bothering me, I'll shoot you. Hear
mel"
This direful threat did not seem to
stir the sense of hearing in either o,
the two men. Suddenly the blond mar
caught the door and swung it wide.
Craig, week ago I'd have throttlec
you without the least conjunction
Today / can't touch you. But get out
of here as fast as you can. You might
have gone feet foremost Go! Out OF
Rangoon, too l may change my mind
The man called Craig walked out
souaring his shoulders with touch OF
bravado that did not impress even the
plucked pigeon. Warrington stood
listening until he heard the hall door
close sharply.
Thanks" said the bewildered youth
Warrington whirled upon him saw
agely. Thanks? Don't thank me
you weak kneed fool"
"Oh, I say, now" the other pro
tested.
BE silent! II you owe that scoun.
drel anything, refuse TO pay 1t. He
never won penny in his life without
cheating. Keep out OF his way; keep
out OF the way Of all men who prefer
to deal only two hands" And with
this advice Warrington stepped out
into the hallway and shut the dool
rudely.
PAY the purser and get box Of CT
gars," Warrington directed James
Never mind about the wine. l shanl
want it now"
James went out upon the errands i'm
mediately.
Warrington dropped down in the
creaky rockingham. the only one in
the boarding house. He stared at the
worn and faded carpet. How dinSy
everything looked! What . sordid
nut he had been content to lie in!
Chance: to throw this man across his
path when he had almost forgotten
him, forgotten that he had sworn tc
break the mans neck over his knees!
In the very next room! And he mad
permitted him 70 60 unframed simply
because his mind was full Of = girl hs
would never see again after tomorrow
What was the rascal doing over here.
What had caused him 70 forsake the
easy pluckings Of Broadway In ex
change for dogs life on packet boats
in a squalid boarding house like this
one, and in dismal billiard halls? Wire
Taper. racing tout, stool pigeon. q
cheater at cards, blackmsiler and traf
ticker in baser things: In the nexl
room, and he had let him 90 unframed
Ten years ago and thirteen thousand
miles away. In the next room. He
laughed unpleasantly. Chivalric fool
silly Don Quixote. sentimental dream
er. to have made a hash Of his Life
In this manner!
He leaned toward the window Sill
! and opened the cage. Rajah walker
out, muttering.
When It was possible, Elsa Pre-
ferred to walk. She was young ant
| strong and active. and she went alonl
with . swinging stride that made oh
vious . serene confidence in her abilit!
to take care Of herself. What tho un
knowing called willfulness was simpl,
natural independence. which she q
serted whenever occasion demanded II
She loved TO prowl through tn
strange streets and alleys and strange
shops; 1t was . Joy to ramble about
minus the irritating opportunities
guide or attendant. It was great fur
| but it was not always wise. Their
/ were some situations which only me
could successfully handle. Elsa woul
never confess that there had bee
awkward moments when, Being an e.
Z cellent runner. she had blithely take
to her heels.
| In her cool, white drill. her wild
white pith helmet. she presented
charming picture. The exercise ha
given her cheeks bit Of color, an
her eyes sparkled and flashed lii
raindrops. This morning she ha
taken Martha along mkrely to still ht
protests. ~.
/ Its all right, 30 long as we keep
the main Streets" said the barrie
Martha, "but do not like the ide
Of roaming about in the native qua
| ters. THIS Is not like Europe. Tt
hotel manager said We ought to ha'
. man.
4 Tho IL looking ont for his commi
sion. Heavens! what u the mstt'
| with everybody! One would think. Il
wsy psople put themselves out 70 val