Gilpin observer., 1920-05-20
A PAIR OF
RUBBERS.
By GEORGE ELMER COBB.

himself and feeling resentful toward
the world at large. Cyril Vance lifted
his hat resentfully as he passed the
home of Miss Ophela Blinn.
1t was also the home of that lady's
adopted niece. Doris. and there the
cankering anxiety rested. She and
Vance had been something more than
friends for over a year. He had been
pretty exclusively in her company, and
he had fired up very forcibly when
close friend remarked to him:
II see that Rutgers fellow has
broken Into the good graces of the
Blakes" -.+'
"That Rutgers fellow" was dash
ing young man who had come 10 the
town week previous. He was look
Ing for factory site, he gave 1t out.
and had plenty of money. good clothes.
IAN flash and glitter" was the way
Vance set him down, and the next day
when Rutgers dashed by in an auto
mobile in company with Miss Ophelia
and her pretty niece, there could be
but one construction to the present
ment.
Doris was, of course, the attraction,
for Miss Blake was a confirmed old
maid. Vance paid no attention to n
casual suggestion he overheard that as
Miss Blake owned considerable prop
erty about town the alleged factory
representative might be negotiating
with her for building site.
nd xNlNc haa
lady in question seated OH the porch
with Rutgers and her niece, he paid no
attention to pleading. inviting ex-
preston upon the face of Doris.
''Ill drop her II she is encouraging
that braggart fop!" soliloquized Vance
hOtly, but at dusk the ensuing eve
ming strolled past the Blake home, Sc
cretly hoping that Doris would ap-
pear.
Victor. his faithful dog, rnn up
on the porch as II reminding the
young man of his many past visits.
but Vance kept on. Beside the door
was pair of rubbers. mans size, and
within the lighted room Vance caught
sight of his fancied rival.
He whistled to the dog and strobe
| on, never noticing that the animal car
ried something between his teeth until
| they came under a lamp post.
Here. what have you got?" chal-
lenged Vance, and as Victor laid n
rubber at his feet Vance picked 1t up.
| At once he comprehended that 1t was
| one of those he had noticed on the
Blake porch AS he turned 1t over he
observed casually deep brOwnisl
| stain where the instep curved. He
was debating If he should repass the
| house and restore the rubber to Its
| companion when he was conscious thai
keen-eyed man was at his side inter
estedly regarding the filched rubber.
'foursT' he insinuated.
NO" retorted Vance curtly. MY
dog took it from porch down the
| street"
"Where-which porch?" pursued
the stranger.
Second house back. Why do you
ask?" demanded Vance suspic!ously
The man mumbled something about
being an inQuisitive sort of II fellow
and as Vance turned around and re
traced his steps flung the rubber over
the fence of the Blake home. The
stranger watched Vance closely and
then disappeared in the darkness
| Later, through cautious detour, he
reached the Blake home, glided up Ia
the porch and carried away both rub.
bers and chuckied in II pleased though
sinister way.
The town had been greatly stirred
up two days previous by the announce.
ment that the great tannery at the
edge of the town had been visited the
night previous. its Office broken into
and small fortune in cash and Lib
erty bonds secured from its safe. Of
ticers from the county sear had been
sent for and Vance, thinking later of
the Inquisitive stranger, wondered II
he was not some detective attempting
to ferret out the perpetrators of the
burglary.
1t was the next morning that Vance
came face to face with Doris turning
Il corner. He flushed with some EN-
barrassment and she paled as though
under u strain OF some fervid emotion.
You have not been to the house
lately. Cyril" she spoke In II subdued
half reprOachful tone.
"You seem to have plenty of com
pany." retOrted Vance and then was
ashamed Of himself. for the quick tears
came into those gentle eyes.
you mean this Bryce Rutgers" seid
Doris. at Is of him I have wished to
speak to you all along. oh. Cyril. he
has made an impression on Aunt
Opheia and I am nearly distracted. /
know he Is after the property and. thnt
he is not the kind of man who means
what he says. Can you not do some
thing to save poor sentimental Aunt
ophelia?"