The Dolores star., 1920-03-19

why nuu Nhl0 tOIu me uu tiiSf iek
convinced the man hnd some purpose
In his conversation. and that he had
not finished all he intended to say,
when the entrance of customers COM
PEELED his return to the bar. His part
Ing words implied TINT. Perhaps the
revolt Of the deputy made 1t necessary
for the conspirntors to select another
helper to properly carry out their ne
fariOus scheme. and Rale had decided
that I might answer. hoped this
might prove the explanation and de-
termined to seek the earliest oppor-
tunity to impress upon that individual
the fact that l was desperately in
need Of money. and decidedly indiffer-
ent as to how II was obtained.
The two soldiers. whose entrance
had interrupted our talk. remained at
the bar drinking until after had
completed my .oilet. and were still
there listening to story Rale was
telling when the slatternly white woin-
an announced that supper was ready
TO serve. Tim slept soundly. while the
other men remained engrossed in their
game OF cards. Rale glanced about
at these us though to reassure him
self that they were intent on their
play then. removing his apron. he
crossed the room and drew up q chair
opposite me.
"All right. SAL" he grunted shortly.
Bring on whut yer got"
He remained silent. staring moodily
at the fire. until after the woman had
spread out the dishes on the table be-
fore him. Then his eyes fell upon the
fare.
"Nice looking mess that" he
growled. surveying the repast with un-
disguised disgust. mo wonder we
don't do no business with thet kind ov
q cook. No. yer needn't stay-go an
make up them beds In the other room.
I'll watch things yere."
judged the fellow had come over
intending to resume our interrupted
conversation. but hardly knew what
he had best venture. / decided to give
him a lead
II amt got no money. myself" be-
gan to explain. apologetically. but
Tim thar sed he'd pay my BILL"
Sure. that's all right; l amt 4 wor-
ryin' none. Maybe l might put yer in
an easy way O. gettin' hold o. a little
coin-thet is II ye amt too blame per
ticular."
"Me!" I laughed. swell. 1 reckon
l don't aim fer ter be thet. I've bin
ten years knockin' bout between New
Orleans an Saint Louee. steamboatin'
mostly. Thet sort o. thing don't make
no saint out'r eny kind man. reckon.
What sort'r job Is IT."
He eyed me cautiously. as though
not altogether devoid of suspicion.
"Yer don't somehow look just the
same sort O. chap, with them ther'
whiskers shaved off," he acknowledged
soberly. "Yer sight better lookln'
then l thought yer wus. an sight
younger. Wha wus it yer cum frum?"
"Frum Saint Louee, on the boat. II
thet's what yer drivin' at"
"'Tain't what I'm drivin' at. Whar
else did yer cum frum afore them
Yer ain't got no buns face"
"Oh, l see; well. ] can't help that.
kin l? wus raised down in Mississip'.
an run away when l wus fourteen.
I've been n driftin' long ever since.
l reckon my face amt goln' ter hurt
none so long as the pay is right"
mo, reckon maybe it won't. I've
seed sum baby faces in my time thet
sure he'd the devil behind 'em. Whnt's
yer name?'
"Moffett-Dan Moffett."
He fell silent. and was unpleasant
ly aware of his continued scrutiny. my
heart beating fiercely. as I endeavored
to force down more of the food as an
excuse to remain at the table. What
would he decide? Finally he spoke
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