The Raymer enterprise., 1920-03-25

Why had Rale told me al tnisi I felt
convinced the man had some purpose
In his conversation. and that be had
not finished Ill 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
faricus scheme, and Rale had decided
that ] might answer. hoped this
might prove the explanation and de-
termined to seek the earliest op2or.
tunity to impress upon that Individual
the fact that ] vas desperately in
need Of money. and decidedly indiffer-
ent a. to how II was obtained.
The two soldiers. whose entrance
had interrupted our talk, remained at
the bar drinking until after I had
completed my .oilet. and we're 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 ~ 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 fre, 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.
Il amt got no money. Myself" l be-
gan to explain. apologetically, but
Tim thar sed he'd pay my BILL"
"Sure, that's all right; l amt q wor.
ryin' none. Maybe ] might put yer In
an easy way O. gettin' hold O. q little
coin-thet Is II ye amt too blame per
ticular."
"Me" I laughed. "Well. 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. l reckon.
What sort'r job IL itY
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 or" he acknowledged
soberiy. "Yer = sight better lookIn'
then ! thought yer wus, an a sight
younger. Wha wus It yer cum frumr'
"Frum Saint Louee. on the boat, II
thet's what yer drivin' at"
"Tain't what Tn drivin' at. Whar
else did yer cum frum afore theni
Yer amt got no buns face"
"Oh, I see; well, / can't help that,
kin II wus raised down In Mlssissip',
an run away when I wus fourteen.
I've been driftin' long ever since.
I reckon my face ain't goin' ter hurt
none 10 long as the pay is right"
mo. reckon maybe II won't. I've
seed sum baby faces In my time thet
sure he'd the devil behind 'em. Whut's
yer namer
"Moffett-Dan Moffett."
He fell silent. and was unpleasant
ly aware Of his continued scrutiny, my
heart beating fercely. AZ I endeavored
to force down more Of the food a. an
excuse to remain at the table. What
would he decide7 Finally he spoke