The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-03-26
why had Rale told me all rn,sf ifel.

why had RHIe told me all tiisi fel
convinced the man had 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 that. Perhaps the
revolt of the deputy made it necessary
for the conspirators to select another
helper to properly carry out their ne
farious scheme. and Rale had decided
that ! might answer. hoped this
might prove the explanation and de-
termined to seek the earliest opisor.
tunity TO impress upon that individual
the fact that | was desperately in
need of money, and decidedly indiffer-
ent as to how 1t was obtained.
The two soldiers, whose entrance
had interrupted our talk, remained at
the bar drinking until after ! had
completed my toilet, 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 as though 10 reassure him
self that they were Intent on their
play then, removing his apron, he
crossed the room and drew up a chair
opposite me.
"All right, Sal" he grunted shortly.
Bring on whit 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 I'M
disguised disgust. mo wonder we
don't do no business with tibet kind Ov
a 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
but hardly knew what
ne had best venture decided to give
him lead.
81 amt got no money. myself" be
san to explain. apolOgetically. but
rim thar sed he'd pay my bill"
Sure, that's all right: amt w0r
yin none. Maybe | might put yer in
IN easy way o. gettin' hold O. little
is if We amt too blame per-
icular.''
Me-" | laughed. "Well reckon
don't aim fer ter be tibet. I've bin
en- years knockin' bout between New
orleans an Saint Louee, steambOatin'
Mostly. Tibet sort o. thing don't make
What sort'r job is it?''
He eyed me cautiously, as though
or altogether devoid of suspicion.
Yer don't somehow look just the
anne sort o chap. with them Their
-hiskers shaved OFF, he acknowledged
DberIy. eyer sight better lOokin'
len | thought yer WIS. an sight
0unger. Wha WIS it yer cum frum?"
"Frum Saint Louee, on the boat, IL
let's what yer drivin' at"
IdlH WIFI III uTiNiu AT. mar
Sc did yer cum frum afOre then?
er amt got no buns face"
"Oh. | see; well, | can't help that,
n I? WIS raised down in MISSISSIPPI.
4 run away when I WIS fourteen.
We been driftin' long ever since.
reckon my face amt goin' ter hurt
me so long as the pay is right"
NO. ! reckon maybe it won't. I've !,
ed sum baby faces in my time tibet =,
re he'd the devil behind 'em. Whut's !.
r name,?" II
"MOffett-Dan MOffett."
He fell silent, and was unpleasant .
aware of his continued scrutiny. my .
art beating fiercely, as / endeavOred :
force down more of the food as an q
cuse TO remain at the table. What -
,uld he decide? Finally he spoke