The state herald., 1915-03-19

"Tather." said Henrietta, "you can
not explain. Graft is dishonest The
only thing we can do 10 to run"
Billy grabbed up her gloves and
obeyed with alacrity. Bartlett and
the general followed in dignined ma
jesty. Alphonse came last and shut
each door as they passed through.
With no undue haste. and yet with no
lettering to admire perfect summer
morning. they climbed into the cars;
Alphonse alone in the generals, the
other five in Bartlett's. with Bartlett
at the wheel
Shall we rush them?" suggested
the Watermelon with happy anticipa-
ton.
Alphonse, like the voice Of reason.
calm, Unconditional. blase. spoke:
There is COW lane back OF the barn.
1t is wide enough for the cars. 1t
the bars down"
You're man. Alphonse." said the
| Watermelon.
They glided without further COM
ment through the barnyard into the
rocky, tree-shaded COW lane. Tho gen.
eral glanced behind. No one was In
sight The lane was narrow and
ened into humps and ridges from the
passing of many feet The cars ran
slowly Of necessity, and while the
engines throbbed, the noise was not
loud, and the slight hill on which the
house stood deadened the sound and
concealed the cars from anyone in
front
Henrietta leaned toward the Water
melon, who sat on the small seat Just
in front of her and just behind the
general. "On such an occasion as
this" she asked. what did father
used to say?"
Nothing" said the Watermelon.
There were two times when he never
said anything. one was when he was
asleep and the other was when he was
escaping from the police"
oh" cried Billy, "he was a minis
ter, why should he have had to escape
from the police?'
"He left the ministry" explained the
Watermelon.
What did he say when he left it,"
teased Henrietta
"Good-by." said the Watermelon.
Then the cars turned into the road
and two men stepped from the bushes
on either side. They were tall, raw
boned country men. in Tapping straw
hats and blue jeans. Each carried
shotgun In the crook of his arm with
tender pleasure in the feel of 1t.
each chewed big piece of tobacco
and each was apparently more than
enjoying the situation. The Water
melon. leaning forward, with wary
eyes, was pleased to see look OF sur
prise fit across their square jawed.
sun.tanned faces as they saw the sec
ond car slowly following the first, and
four men instead of one. as the tele-
gram had said "one man in big red
touring car" the make and engine
number given.
whats the make OF your carr" de-
manded the taller OF the two OF Bart
lett, laying his hand on the fender.
Surprised. Bartlett told. thankful
that he had not been asked for his
name.
Engine numberr demanded the
man.
Bartlett gave II.
License number!"
Great Scott!" snapped Bartlett
What do you want next' My age,
My number is on the back OF my car.
! have 30 many cars ! have forgotten
II. Go and look. or ask my man. Al.
phonse. what's the number on the
backI"
"s74ll." droned Alphonse coidly.
BE both these cars yoursr" asked
the man. puzzled and a bit disappoInt.
ed.
That car" said the general pomp-
ously. is mine. Allow me-" He drew
his card.case from his pocket. and to
the tall mans CONSERVATION and Bart.
letts horror. presented him with his
card The two withdrew and consult.
ed a moment. Clearly the family par.
ty before them was not the young
man wanted In Wilton for stealing a
motorcar and a suit OF clothes. but for
all that. what were they doing In an
empty house1
we can arrest 'em and get fine
anyway" said the taller OF the two.
and the other agreed
The Watermelon leaned forward
with languid interest. his hat on the
back OF his head. How dye do7" he
drawled. What are you doing with
the popguns!'
Hunting" grinned the spokesman
pleasantly.
ANY luck7" asked the Watermelon
Bet cher life!" said tho man. Got
what We were after"
"Bear7" asked the Watermelon limo.
Gently.
M %
y