The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1918-06-27
KNIGHTS OF ROAD
BY NEGLIGENT CLEVER.

as ne was, Cnere was more. or WOnQers
than ridicule in the tones Of Big Red
dy, professional hobo It was ut the
camp Of a group Of wandering ones
that Reddy had come across Mystery
Blair gazing fxedly at a photograph.
With a QUICK flush Blair thrust the
picture out of sight.
"Just honest admiration of q pretty
face" was the reply given, with a
forced laugh. II had quite an adven-
ture last evening and the original Of
that picture had a 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, a
signal, a warning with which every
schooled tramp was familiar. Two
strangers had suddenly intruded. One
wore an official badge. "That's the
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 a comrade.
The group were staunch and loyal for
defense.
"This is no arrest" announced the
marshal. .
"No, 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 a hero last
night. AS legal adviser Of Miss Ina
Prescott, whose life and property you
saved, 1 am asked to talk over mat
tiers with you"
II don't e the use," replied Blair.
I'm glad if I did all you say"
HE did something, you can count on
that!!" broke in big Reddy, .'for he
tossed all night with that burned hand
Of his"
Mystery Blair for a 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
him 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 hechad made a
failure Of business life and envied
them their unconventional existence.
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 a locked
door. Continued cries for d~eliyerance
nerved and guided him.H He came upon
a young girl lying upon a couch, evil
IDENTIFY an invalid. Blair seized a
counter-pane, wrapped her up in 1t
and breasted the blaze. Neighbors
had gathered and he had placed the
girl in their charge. Then the MEM
DRY of that confiding face, the soft,
clinging arms, seemed an ideal, forcing
him to further effort.
Three hours after the call at the
hobo camp Mystery Blair was a new
being in appearance. The lawyer had
insisted not only on medical attention
but a complete rehabilitation.
you're spelling me for the road"
Blair had demonstrated, with a 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
a spell of Sickness, and her hand
fingered gratefully in his own, there
stirred within him new and vivid emo
tons. He had arisen to depart when
his eye fell upon a little framed pho
tograph IN the medicine stand. He
gave quite a start.
will you pardon me-" he spoke in
terestedly, 'but I have seen this young
man, I I'M sure"
ooh, Mr.. Devon! ~ instantly cried
Miss Trescott, greatly excited, tell
him! Can it be possible, that at
last"
The lawyer silenced her eager rev.
elations with a gesture. He took up
the photograph and led Blair into an
adjoining room 1t was a graphic
story that he related-of wild, reck-
less Julian Prescott, the brother of
Ina, getting into trouble foolishly, fee
ing from friends who could protect
him and losing himself among tangled
highways.
Blair recalled the original Of the
picture. He was ure that nearly a
year back he had met its 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
ole be found?"
ut would take some financing and
it may be a 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 pono