The Meeker herald., 1919-02-15
KNIGHTS OF ROAD
BY NEGLIGENT BLEYER.
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as he was, there was more of wonder
than rdicule In the tones of Big Red
dy, professional hobo. 1t was mt the
camp of II group of wandering ones
that Reddy had come across Mystery
Blair gazing fixedly mt photograph.
with quick flush Blair thrust the
/ picture out of sight.
Just honest admiration of pretty
face" was the reply given. with II
forced laugh. II had quite an adven-
ture last evening and the original OF
that picture had part in H."
''IIello-thcre's trouble! Make for
covert spoke Reddy sharply. There
| had come from one of the gror,> pre-
paring breakfast birdlike cry. n
| signal, warning with which every
schooled tramp was familiar. Two
strangers had suddenly intrudcd One
wore m official badge. "Thats the
man." spoke his companion, and he
pointed to Blair.
+ Instantly there was the closing In
of the circle. The prcsentment was
that of the law against comrrde.
| The group were staunch and loyal for
| dc Tense.
'.This Is no arrest" announced the
marshal.
mo. 1t Is just contrary" nddcd 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 his,
night. As legal adviser of Miss Ina
Prescott, whose life and property you
saved. I am asked to talk over mat
tiers with YOU"
~ don't see the use," replied Blair.
Tin glad II l did NIL you say"
ale 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 n moment looked
ms though rcscntful of pnironizing or
reward. Then his hand closed on the
half-burncd photograph in his pocket.
In the current of unusual clrcum-
stances. he decided to allow 1t to drift
him whittier 1t would.
lie had been dubbed "Mystcry"
Blair by his comrades. He Ind Joined
the hobo contingent one day. asking
the favor of companionshlp md va
ricty. telling them he had made
failure OF business life and envied
them their unconventional existence.
The evening previous. passing
charming little bungalow. Blair had
seen smoke md flames issuing from
Its front. Cries for help echoed from
the Interior. He had burst in n locked
door. Continued cries for dclivcraucc
nerveti and CUTLER, him. He came upon
a young girl lying upon couch. evil
IDENTIFY nm invalid. Blair seized
coun;er-pane. wrapped her up in II
and breasted the blaze. Nelchbors
had gathered and he had placed the
girl In their charge. Then the mem
DRY Of that confiding face. the soft.
clincin- arms, seemed an ideal. forcing
him To further effort.
Three hours after the call Mt 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 n quiet
smile.
"why hi, 1t arain;' challenged the
attorney. 81 fancy. Mr.. blair. that
line is not your natural bent. Again.
we must he prcsentable when we call
upon Miss Prescott"
When he was In the presence of the
fnir young girl, just recovering from
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 u little framed pho
tograph on the medicine stand. He
gave quite start.
"Will You pardon me-" he spoke in
terestedly. but have seen this young
man. I am sure"
"oh. Mr. Devon instantly cried
Miss Prescott. greatly excited, '';ell
him. Can IL be possible, that at
Inst"
The lawyer silenced her eager rev.
Citations with n gesture. He took up
the photograph and led Blair into an
adjoining room. II was graphic
story that he rclatcd-of wild. reck-
less Julian Prescott. the brother Of
Ina. getting into trouble foolishly. fiec-
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
year back he hal met its owner In his
wunderinrs. He was sure Of 1t when
he showed the picture To Reddy.
"You know every knight nf the
road" Blair said to him. Can this
one be found:"
1T would take some financing and
1t may he long. long trail" submit
ted Reddy. and this was provided for.
and two months later Blair reappeared
with the brother of Ina.