The Washington times., 1915-05-30

!, the bow and commenced to play again
They sat around HIN, wondering, alb
solutely absorbed. No one, even made
move towards the food% 1t was Craig
who led them there at last himself. still
playing. Long Jim threw his arm al
most caressingly around his shoulder.
say, COOKIE. ne began. there amt
no questions asked concerning the
past history of the men who find their
way out mere just so long as they don't
play tho game yellow. Maybe you We
fitted up nice little hell tor yourself
| somewhere, but we ain't none OF us
hankering TO know the address. You're
white and you're one OF us. and any
time any guy wants to charge you rent
for that little he'll where your got tho
furniture OIL your conscience stored,
why, you just let US settle with him,
that's all. Now. one more tune. cookie. -
Craig shook his head. He had turned
| away to where the kettle was kissing
on the range fire.
1T is time you had your food" he
said.
Long Jim took up the violin and drew
the bow across 1t. There was chorus
of execrations. Craig snatched it from
him. He suddenly turned his back upon
them all He had played as though to
amuse himself. He played now with
the complete almost passionate absorp-
ton of the artist. His head was up
lifted, his eyes half closed. He was
no longer the menial, the fugitive from
another world. playing amid a silence
,, which, considering his audience, was
amazing. They crouched across the
table and watched him. Long Jim
terruption which came was from out
side
More of these ID tourists" Long
Jim muttered. Women. too"
Craig had stopped playing. He turned
his head slowly. Quest was in the act
of dismounting from his horse. By
his side was the professor; Just behind,
Lenora and Laura. Long Jim greeted
them with rough cordiaIity.
Say, what are you folks looking
for?' he demanded.
Quest pointed to Craig.
We want that man." he announced.
This is Inspector French from New
York. l am Sanford Quest
There was q tense silence. Craig
covered his face with his hands, then
suddenly looked up.
| II won't come. he cried fiercely.
| You've bounded me ell around the
world. I am innocent. l won't come. -
Quest shrugged his shoulders. He
| took n step forward. but Long Jim. as
| though by accident, sauntered in the
way
loot a warrant" he asked. terseIy.
"We don't need it." Quest replied
He's our man, right enough"
Right this minute he's our cook"
| drawled Long Jim. and we amt ex-
aCtiy paTtlCulaF ABOUT going hungry
Just to please a bunch Of strangers.
| Cut 1t short. mister. II you amt got a
warrant. you amt got this man. Maybe
we don't sport finger bowels and silk
| socks. but we's civilized enough not to
| let no slim dude walk off with one of
our boys without proper authority. 30
! you can Just meander along back where
you came from. Amt that right. boys7"
There wac a cullen murnur of assent
Quest tursed back and whispered for a
| moment TO the inspector. Then he turn
| ed to Long Jim.
"All right he agreed. The inspeo-
! tor here and I will soon see tn that.
/ Wen ride back to the township. with
your permission. the ladies and our ell
derlv friend will remain for a rest"
You're welcome to anything we've
| got except our cook" Jim replied. turn
Darkness came early and the little
| company grew closer and closer to the
| camp fire, where Craig had once more
| taken up his violin. The professor had
| wandered off somewhere into the dark
ness and the girls were seated a little
apart Thev had been treated hospi-
| tably but coldly.
| Don't seem to cotton to US, these
| boys Laura remarked.
| They don't like U.s." Lenora replied.
| because they think we are after Craig
| wonder what Long Jim has been whis-
! perng to him. and what that paper Is
he has been showing Craig. Do you
| border?"
Not more than five or six miles, I
believe" Laura replied.
Lenora rose softly to her feet and
| strolled to the back Of the range wagon.
In few moments she reappeared, car
ryins a piece OF paper in her hand. She
! stopped down.