Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-08-02

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up" It was seven o'clock, and Hayden's,
Notion Store always opened at seven.
AS usual this morning Miss B. left
the outer door wide open while she re-
moved the dust-cloth from the counter,
and patted into precision the cards Of
lhooks-and-eyes in their orderly rows
of boxes. The act was symbolical Of
her whole life-always had Miss 3.
patted into precision any irregular
hopes, ambitions, or experiences that
mad ever dared to obtrude q corner
into her habit-smoothed existence.
She turned now complacently to
view her wOrk-and confronted a
man: disorderly looking man who
had stumbled through the doorway,
and who was gazing at her now with
the eyes Of hunted animal at bay.
':For Gods sake-don't give me
away!" he begged. The next moment
he had dashed by her and dropped out
of sight behind the counter.
The woman caught her breath and
rubbed her eyes dazedly. She was sure
she was dreaming. There could not
be man, really, behind that counter
her counter!
. Outside a swarm Of men and boys
headed by two policemen swept into
the street and broke into irresolute
little groups. Then one Of the officers
darkened her doorway.
'You didn't see big, dark haired
chap, runnin', did ye?" he painted.
bill thought he'd made fur this door
way. He might ha' slipped in when
yer back was turned, We know. IF We
don't mind, We'll look" And he strobe
to guard the door.
It was then that the extraordinary
happened: Miss B. deliberately turned
and walked behind her counter; and
when she had taken up her position
her skirts entirely screened the hiding
man.
The building was small one. It
comprised the store, with a bedroom
bathroom and living-room behind It,
where were a few surplus goods,
trunks and boxes. A search In this
limited area naturally could not be of
long duration; and the officer was soon
back in the store.
you're off, Bill" he growled. "He
amt here Thank We, ma'am," he
nodded toward the woman behind the
counter. The next moment the door
banged shut, and the gesticulating men
and boys took themselves noisily out
of sight.
In the store the woman backed hur-
riedly away from her position. All the
bravery had fed from her manner
She stood white and trembling wait
ing.
from the shadows peered mans face.
'"They gomez"
Eyes"
The man gazed at her curiously
then his eyes softened.
"See here, little woman, you sure
was game" he murmured. "But-why
did you do it?'
The woman shook her head.
"Idon't- she stammered.
"You don't know?"
Again she shook her head.
"Your eyes-they looked somehow
like-Bobby's," she faltered.
The man smiled.
"Pm sure I'm much obliged to-
Bobby" he said gravely.
"You see, there was a dog after him
just like those men were after you,'
explained the woman, hurriedly; "ant
he ran to me for protection just 81
you did. I kept him then almost {
year." "~
"You kept him!'
"Yes. Then he died. He'd got to b,
a real big cat then, though"
"Oh-h!" murmured the man. "Oh-h y
Sand he was such good cat! n,
always-sh-h-be careful! !"
The warning was scarcely needed
for the man, too, had heard the stel
at the street door, and had draw
back hastily.
The customer was q woman. Sh
said she wanted spool of numbe
sixty thread; but she spent Just on
minute buying that-and ten minute
talking about the recent excitement
Not that she knew who the fugitiv
was or what he had done.
"YOu see," shivered Miss g. tremu
slously addressing the dark corner
moment later, you'll really have t
sgo-man!''
Two reproachful eyes looked out a
he:.
"But, my dear lady, I've just come.
''But they're looking for you-every
s!where!"
"They are-like dogs, for my life.
1T was trial shot, but 1t hit the mari
Miss 3. WINGED visibly. you see.
Il could just camp here till dark,
went on the man softly, hurrying t
follow up his advantage
''Till dark-here! No, moi" shut
sdered the woman.
'.Of, course not, here, under til
counter" agreed the man, crawlin
from HIS hiding-place and rising to hi
feet: 'but in there-beh ind the stor
Sure, little woman, YOU ain't goil
back on be-now II 49,
..But I must !! You couldn't You
rum she broke or frenStedly. sIeapin