Smyrna times., 1918-08-21
KNIGHTS OF ROAD
BY INTELLIGENT BLEYER.
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Copyright, 1918. by western Newspaper Union.l


come over yOu-gOne clear daffy?"
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 a group of wandering ones
that Reddy had come across Mystery
Blair gazing fXedly at photograph.
With quick flush Blair thrust the
picture out of sight
"Just honest admiration of a pretty
face" was the reply given, with a
forced laugh. 81 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, 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 70 arrest" announced the
marshal.
mo, it is just contrary" added his
companion. 81 would like to have you
accompany me to my offi"o" he adj
dressed himself to Blair. 0u were
something better than a nero hast
night. AS legal adviser of Miss Ina
TrescOtt, whose lire and property you
saved, am as,cd to IT, over mat
tiers with you"
81 don't see the use," replied Blair.
'Tm glad if 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
SIS 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 he had made a
failure of business life and envied
them their unconventional existence.
The evening previous, passing
charming little bungalow, Blair had
seen smoke and flames issuing from
IT'S 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 a couch, evil
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,
Ory of that cOnfding face, the soft
c!inging 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 thu
attorney. 81 fancy, Mr.. Blair, tha
line is not your natural bent. Again
we must be presentable when we cal
upon Miss TrescOtt."
When he was in the presence Of th'
fair young girl, just recovering from
a spell of sickness, and her han'
fingered gratefully in his own, ther
stirred within him new and vivid emo
tions. He had arisen to depart whel
-. his eye fell upon little framed pho
tOgraph on the medicine stand. H
gave quite a start.
, "Will you pardon me-" he spoke IN
terestedly, 'but 1 have seen this yOun
man, 1 am sure"
"Oh, Mr.. DevOn" instantly erie
Miss TrescOtt, greatly excited, "te
him! Can it be possible, that 9
last"
The lawyer silenced her eager re'
elations with a gesture. He took u
the pnOtOgrdpn anu leu DldlI AhIO d
adjoining room. 1t was a graphi
story that he re!ated-Of wild, reel
3 less Julian TrescOtt, the brother
Ina, getting into trouble fOOlishly, fie
ing from friends who could prOte'
him and losing himself among tangle
highways.
! Blair recalled the original of II
picture. He was sure that nearly
wear back he had met its owner in h
wanderings. He was sure of it wht
he showed the picture to Reddy.
Z "YOu know every knight of Il
road" Blair said to him. "Can tn
one be fOund?"
q "It would take some financing al
it may be a long. long trail" subm
Z ted Reddy, and this was provided fC
. and two months later Blair reappear'
with the brother of Ina.
. DIoir hod bodp pOOd-hV TO the rOi