Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-06-13
KNIGHTS OF ROAD |
BY INTELLIGENT HLEYER.


'sWell, that's the limits What's
come over you-gone clear daffyY
Coarse-grained and hoarse-throated
as he was, there was more of wonder
than ridicule in the tones of Big Red
dy, professional hobo. 1t was at the
camp of group of wandering ones
that Reddy had come across Mystery
Blair gazing fixedly at photograph.
With a quick flush Blair thrust the
picture out of sight.
"Just honest admiration Of a pretty
face" was the reply given, with a
forced laugh. Il had quite an adven-
| ture last evening and the original Of
that picture had part in it."
"Hello-there's trouble! Make for
covert" spoke Reddy sharply. There
had come from one of the group pre-
pairing breakfast a birdlike cry, q
signal, warning with which every
schooled tramp was familiar. Two
strangers had suddenly intruded. One
wore an official badge. '"rhat's tha
man." spoke his companion, and he
pointed to Blair.
Instantly there was the closing In
Of the circle. The presentment was
that Of the law against comrade.
The group were staunch and loyal for
defense.
This is no arrest" announced the
marshal.
mo, it is just contrary" added his
| companion. II would like to have you
accompany me to my Office" he adj.
dressed himself to Blair. "You were
something better than hero last
night. AS legal adviser of Miss Ina
Prescott, whose life and property you
saved, 1 am asked to talk over mat
| ters with you"
II don't see the USE" replied Blair.
I'm glad if did all you say"
''He did something, you can count on
that!" broke in big Redly, "for he
| tossed all night with that burned hand
| of hls.''
Mystery Blair for moment looked
| as though resentful of patroniZing or
reward. Then his hand closed on the
half-burned photograph in his pocket.
In the current of unusual circum-
stances, he decided to allow it to drift
| min whittier it would.
He had been dubbed 'Mystery"
Blair by his comrades. He had joined
| the hobo contingent one day, asking
the favor of companionship and va
riety, telling them he had made a
failure of business life and envied
1 Lhom +ho;r ,,poopvopt;ono1 oxictonco
The evening previous, passing a
charming little bungalow, Blair had
seen smoke and flames issuing from
Its front. Cries for help echoed from
/ the interior. He had burst in locked
door. Continued cries for deliverance
nerved and guided him. He came upon
a young girl lying upon couch, evi-
IDENTIFY an invalid. Blair seized a
counter-pane, wrapped her up in it
and breasted the blaze. Neighbors
had gathered and he had placed the
girl in their charge Then the men,
DRY of that confiding face, the soft,
clinging arms, seemed an ideal, forcing
him to further effort.
Three hours after the call ut the
hobo camp Mystery Blair was a new
being in appearance. The lawyer had
insisted not only on medical attention
but complete rehabilitation.
you're spelling me for the road,
Blair had demonstrated with quiet
smile.
| why hit it again?' challenged the
attorney. II fancy Mr.. Blair, that
line is not your natural bent. Again,
we must be presentable when we call
upon Miss Prescott"
When he was in the presence of the
+ fair young girl, just recovering from
n spell of sickness, and her hand
fingered gratefully in his own, there
; stirred within him new and vivid emo
lions. He had arisen to depart when
his eye fell upon Il little framed pho.
tosraph on the medicine stand. He
gave quite start.
will you pardon me-" he spoke in
terestedly, but l have seen this young
man, am sure"
ooh, Mr.. Devon!" instantly CRIED
Miss Prescott, greatly excited, "tel
him! Can it be possible, that al
last
The lawyer silenced her eager rev
Citations with a gesture. He took uI
the photograph and led Blair into an
adjoining room. 1t was graphic
story that he related-of wild, reck
less Julian Prescott, the brother OF
Ina, getting into trouble foolishly, flee
ing from friends who could protect
him and losing himself among tangled
highways.
Blair recalled the original Of the
picture. He was sure that nearly 8
year back he had met it's owner in his
wanderings. He was sure of it when
he showed the picture to Reddy.
"You know every knight Of the
road" Blair said to him. Can this
one be found?'
ut would take some financing and
it may be long, long trail,' submit
ted Reddy, and this was provided for
and two months later Blair reappeared
with the brother of Ina.
Blair had babe good-by to the road
and his old hobo comrades. AS Wal
them Blair, author, he now set about
utilizing the experience he had gone
through. He was at the new Trescott
home one day.
"Miss Trescott," he said, II am glaG
? to say that have made arrangements