The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-03-19
CHAPTER TX.
A Whit of New Atmosphere

Rtles found the journey westward a
tiresome affair. 1t was his first long
rail journey in over 20 years. but his
thoughts were on the cost OF travel
rather than on the wonderful strides
which had been made in its comfort
and convenience.
As fate would have II. Rifles selected
as the base Of his homestead opera
tions the very foOthill town TO which
Beulah Harris had come a few weeks
before. He sought out the cheapest
! hotel. and having thrown his few be-
| longinCs on the bed. betook himself to
the bar room. which seemed the chief
center of activity, not only of the ho-
tel itself. but of the little town. Men
were lined three deep against the ca
| pacious bar. shouting. swearing. and
singing. and spending their money with
an abandon not to be found in mil
liOnaires.
Riles debated with himself whether
the occasion justified the expenditure
OF 10 cents for drink when hand
was placed on his shoulder, and
voice said, Have one with me. neigh
Dor" He found himself addressed by
man of about his own age. shorter
and somewhat lighter Of frame and
with a growing hint of corpulence
The stranger wore a good pepper-and-
salt suit, and the stone on his finger
danced like a real diamond.
4
IT," said Riles. with an attempted smile
which his bad eye rendered futileAOn
Of the bartenders put something in
his glass which cut all the way down.
but Rifles speedily forgot II in a more
exciting incident. The man In the
pepper-and-salt suit had laid half q
dollar on the bar, and no change came
back. Rifles congratulated himself on
his own narrow escape.
you'll be looking for land?" in
quired the stranger. when both were
breathing easily again.
well, maybe I am, and maybe
amt" said Rifles guardedly. He had
heard something Of the ways of conf
dence men and was determined not to
be taken for an easy mark.
"a man of some Judgment I see."
said his new acquaintance, quite I'M
abashed. "Well. I don't blame you for
keeping your own counsel. The rush
Of people and money into the West has
brought all kinds of f1oaters in its
train. Why"-with growing confidence
the other night"
What happened the other night re-
manned untold. for at that moment
came a Gathering of horses hoofs on
the wooden walk at the door, and a
moment later a gayly arrayed cowboy
rode right into the room, his horse |
prancing and bodying from side to side |
to clear the crowd away, then facing |
up to the bar as though 1t were his |
manger. Riles expected trouble, and |
was surprised when the feat evoked a
cheer from the bystanders.
That's Horseback George" said the
man in the pepper-and-salt. "They
say he sleeps on his horse. Rides
right into bar as a matter of course,
and maybe shoots few bottles off the
shelves as a demonstration before he
goes out. But he always settles. and
nobody minds his little peculiarities."
Horseback George treated himself
twice, proffering each glass to his
horse before touching 1t himself, and
stroking with one hand the animals
ears as he raised the liquor to his lips.
Then he threw bill at the bar tender
md. with a wild whoop, slapped the
lorse's legs with his hat, and dashed
It gallop out of the bar room and
iway down the trail.
Rifles betook himself to his room. He
lad just got into bed when a knock
anne at the door.
who's there" he demanded.
"Genl'man to see Mr.. Riles," said
he porter.
well, shoot I'm In. The door amt
ocked," said Riles. in considerable
as to who his visitor
night be.
The door opened, and a weIl-dressed
nan of average height. with carefully
ombed hair and clean-shaven face.
ave for light mustache, stood re-
'ealed in the uncertain glow Of the {
match with which Rifles was endeavor- I
ng to find his lamp. His visitor was &
nan of twenty-eight or thirty years. {
With clear eyes and well-cut face. and G
ct with some subtle quality in his ex- |
'resslon that implied that under his I
air exterior lay a deep cunning. and
hat he was a man not to be trusted
matters where his own interests
night be at stake. s
Hello. Hiram" he said quietly.
You didn't figure on seeing me here.
i'd you?" 4
AT first glance Rifles did not recog-
lie him, and he raised the oil lamp
turn the light better ON the strang-
RS face.
well. if it amt Gardiner" he ex. q