The Holly chieftain., 1915-01-29
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the lake. You can't help but find 1t.
Give him the clothes and this check
book and fountain pen. l can't use
them and you two won't get gay with
them cause Mixes a coward, and
James has too much sense"
You're . damn fool" said James
shortly.
Hes all right" argued Mike, mean
ing the man in the forest shades.
What can hurt him?"
II know. but he's mighty uncomfort-
able. Can't sit down, maybe, and
there may be flies and mosquitoes"
Nav" protested Mike. Hes just
comfortable. II it was the style,
would have liked to have gone naked
today"
Hell have the police after youse," "
warned James, "as soon as he can
reach the village"
That's all right" returned the
Watermelon. Here's a ten-spot for
each Of you. and mind you do what l
say"
For you," said Mike, I'D give me
hearts blood"
Where do we nnd this pond7"
asked James.
Come with ME and I'll take you to
the road that leads by it. You give
me time to get to the hotel, though,
before you give him his clothes"
Trust me-" said Mike, lovingly con-
cealing the greenback in the dark dirty
recesses of his rags
They parted In the road where the
Watermelon had come upon the big
red touring car. Mike and James
watched him until he disappeared over
the top of the hill, then climbed the
wall and made their way through the
woods to the little mountain lake.
We won't get the Clothes" said
James. until we have had a talk with
the guy and tried to get him into a
reasonable frame of mind. It's list
likely that he may be somewhat put
out"
There was no one In sight as they
made their way cautiously to the edge
OF the lake. The trees grew nearly
down to the narrow, pebbly beach and
were reflected in the quiet depths Of
the water. The little brook, tumbling
over Its miniature waterfall, with a
ripple aud splash. was the only sound
that broke the all-pervading silence.
Nothing stirred In the underbrush,
neither man nor beast. and James and
Mike were about to slip away as quiet
ly as they came when stick snapped
behind them sharply and Mike
wheeled.
A man was peering at them eagerly
over the tops Of few bushes. His
face was white and his teeth chatter
ing. His arms. dimly discerned
through the branches. were wrapped
around his shivering form with fervor
and he was standing gingerly on first
one foot and then the other.
Hello" said Mike facetiously. Co
Ing int" and he nodded casually back.
ward to the lake.
Been in," chartered the miserable
wretch, trying to control his teeth so
that he could say more.
"Oughtn't to stay In too long," ad-
vised James solicitously. your lips
look blue"
Bad for the heart" said Mike.
I'VE amt ladies'" added James with
delicacy. you might come out from
them bushes"
"Some-some one stole my-my-
my Clothes" stammered the young
man. stepping carefully forth. Been
here-here since this-this morning" )"
He looked sharply at the shabby pair
before him. with quick distrust in his
bloodshot eyes and added coldly:
Some e-some tramp"
did you see him?" asked James.
j "No-no-no. But who else could
have stolen them"
l." said Mike, drawing himself up
to his five feet Ave and throwing back
his pudgy shoulders, 'T am a tramp. l
trust, sir. you meant no Insult to me
profession?"
The stranger waved the question
aside. Get me some clothes and I'll
give you some money"
What money!" asked James.
II will send you some. am rich.
Ny car is In the road. Maybe you saw
It. I was coming through. the woods
to the hotA to get tow up, for was
out Of gasoline. when 1 saw the lake.
1t was carly and thought I would
take a swim. Maybe YOU saw my car
by the side of the roaAr
Il didn't SEQ no car" said Mike.
Did you come by the roao" |"
Yes, a narrow wood road"
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