Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1919-06-05

heard, So he kept his eyes toward ths
window until it grew quite dark. But
he had a plan at last. In another
minute he got upon his feet. yawning
and declared his intention of getting
a drink of water from the cooler at
the other end of the car.
Good idea" said Holt, rising and
following his captive down the aisle
laZily.
Scathlin reached the cooler first and
took hi; drink. while Holt stood wait.
ing for the cup and let Scathlin go
back TO his seat alone. apparently not
noticing him. Scathlin settled back in
his seat with one eye on Holt. and one
eye on the girl.
Holt stood drinking in a %leisurely
way, apparently interested in looking
through the glass Of the door into the
next car, though he was fully aware
that Scathlin was fumbling in the in
mel pocket of his flannel shirt. He lin
gered. hoping that the old man would
do something which would make him
more certain of what he already be-
lieved to be true, and saw Scathlin
finally, after repeated fumbling under
the shirt, draw forth a small dark OBJ.
ject that, in the n swift glimpse
Holt had of it, looked like his own
leather wallet in search of which he
had come this long, hard journey.
Anxious to see what Scathlin's next
move was to be, he remained quietly
~ IN nI;,r ,-l .t;ll on~nrout1u 1nNkir0
through the car door. though not a
move Of Scathlin's was lost upon him.
To his amazement he suddenly saw
Scathlin bend forward and pick up
something from the car floor, then lean
toward the girl in the opposite seat
and put the object in her lap. at the
same time speaking to her. Had the
man picked up something the girl had
dropped, or was he-? Preposter-
GUS! The fellow wouldn't dare. with
a strange girl. She was smiling and
looking down at the thing in her lap
and seemed to be thanking him. She
had probably dropped her handker-
chief or pocketbook and Scathlin had
picked it up. Holt sauntered leisurely
back to his seat and found S%cathling
fumbling with his shoe lace. He
studied him narrowly and fancied that
he detected a look of cunning satisfac-
ton on the stubbly old face. yet was
puzzled to know what caused it. Had
the sc%oundrel dared to give those pa
pers to the girl when he stood in full
view? 1t seemed incredible-and yet?
II he had, Hollis hands we're pretty
we'll tied and he had two to watch in
stead of one. He didn't like the idea
OF shadowing this beautiful young
woman.
/ Just then the conductor returned
and spoke to the girl.
well. your berth's reserved for you
all right. but 1t was in the name Of
Harrington.S It's Section Z, in the next
car. This your baggage? Come this
way and I'll show you
The, girl followed the conductor,
with a half hesitating glance toward
Scathlin. who was engaged with his
shoe. Holt noticed she held her hand
bag clasped tightly, as II she were
afraid 1t might be taken from her.
! When she was gone the night settled
! down unpleasantly about them and
Scathlin, apparently worn out, snored
! as he had not dared to do for q week.
! But Holt sat up and studied his prob
lem. He could not afford to take any
chances on sleep that night; more.
over his heart was in a tumult. This
| girl was coming to Hawk Valley to
visit the Harringtons. She was q
| sister of Mrs. Harrington, the hand
soonest woman, the best dressed WON
an, the most influential woman in all
that valley Would he ever see the
girl? Sometimes. from afar perhaps
and a bitter look swept over his
face.
Scathlin slept on, with his coarse
lower Jaw down dropped, and all his
unpleasant features relaxed. He was
no charming picture tosy.look upon
Holt noticedsthat there WIS no longer
that furtiy6F grasp Of one hand upo1
his breast. witch had beef since theil
f5surnsy tSiIetKer had begun. scath
INNS horny honds, with their graspinl
1bek of Ahnuihg. were lying idly b,
his-side. ard Scathlin himself was en-
Toying a we'll earned rest his heavil!
shod feet sprawled out under Holt'
seat. 81
The night droned on; the train spe,
on its waysthrough the darkness ant
still Holt-satsw wide awake and think
Ing.
II can,EsQuite dope things OUT b,
said to himself asEhe settled back II
q. .A xSs1Eai7