The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-10-06

across the sleeping mans
shoulder, while Steve contin'
ued silently to study Garrys face
Even in Inconsistencies family
crooked smile of skepticlsm still clune
to the lips.
at was like him." Steve remarked
at last very soberly. Somehow the
minute be began to speak 1 knew II
was exactly the sort Of thing expect
ed him to say. The probability OF
death is much more amusing pros
peet to some men, Joe, than the per
plexlty Of living"
Fat Joe flashed a swift, half puzzled
glance at his chiefs face. He started
to ask a question, then scowled and
checked himself and turned instead to
kindle fire in the stove Of the lean,
to kitchen of the cabin. But half
hour later he was still murmuring the
last phrase over to himself perplexed
ly when Steve came leading the horse
Ragtme up to the open door. Saddled
and with reins ATRIAL, the animal had
been wandering throughout the night
about the upper end Of the construc
ton camp clearing. AT the sound OF
hoofbeats outside Fat Joe left the
stove and the half cooked breakfast
he had set himself to prepare.
$50 that's the way one of 'em come,
he murmured. 81 was wondering
some. Last night | didn't notice the
horse, being a mite too hurried to give
ample attention to details, as it were
But ain't-ain't this one Of Allison's
horses?"
"No, joe" Steve answered heavily
"He is from Allison's stables, but we
have him to thank, just the same
along with Garry, for our blue prints
and estimates. 1t was Mr.. Devereau
whom he brought up here last night
and in fairly good time, should judge
too, from the pace at which they sci
out. Garry turned him into the bill
road, and he must have stuck to II
blipdly until he struck our fork.
I'D, after longer pause, "The horse
Il Miss Allison's own property" hi
added quietly.
Joe pursed his lips. Instantly at the
mention of the girls name he felt him
self better equipped to understand
both the lack Of immediate action and
the seeming preoccupied indifference
OF his superior which, in the face Of
the nights developments, would have
been otherwise utterly unaccountable
that morning.
The probable nearness of him who
had gone bounding away empty hand,
ed from the lighted shack was Of far
less moment than the possible identity
Of the one who had furnished the In
spiration of that night raid. And to
Steve the need of assuring that tall
girl with the vivid lips and coppery
hair Of Garry Devereau's safety bulk
ed quite as important as did the adj
visibility of seeking Immediately an
informal interview with Dexter All
son, such as the latter himself had SO
genially suggested.
Il happened to run into Harrigan
this morning" Fat Joe said In an I'M
concerned manner.
As disinterestedly as had Joe, Steve
now drained his coffee cup and waited.
"He was down to the cook shanty,"
Fat Joe rambled on. ITS an hour
since he'd ought to have been out there
with the powder squad in the north
cut, and when | asks him If he was
feelin' indisposed this morning he says
no, but the supply teams was going out
and one of the drivers had told him
that was sending him along to help
with the loadin. He had such nice,
frank, open faced way of lying that l
couldn't bring myself to correct him.
l just let it stand that way and told
him such was the arrangement. Joe
saw swift satisfaction play across
Steve's face. "He had a bandage
around his head not much different
from this one our friend here is wear
ing. But he said he was scratched by
q twig"
The room was very quiet for a
breath. That thin note had crept into
Fat Joe's tenor voice-thin and chill
and menacing. And there as abruptly
as he had assumed it he flung aside
his mask of disingenuous irrelevance.
Far Joe wheeled. put both elbows upon
the table edge and leaned forward
heavily, 1t was much as though he
were setting himself to shoulder by
sheer weight through the discourag,
ing wall Of Indifference behind which
the other was apparently Withdrawing
once more.
but as for me"-his high voice rang
a little-"but as for me, well, | always
did pride myself that l could shoot
some, whether it was by daylight or
dark"
And the only result which that state
ment achieved was an answering, med
itative nod Fat Joe subsidized. All
that he could say had been said, and
they finished breakfast as they had
begun il, in absolute silence.
Ito be continued.) 4