The St. Charles herald., 1922-09-16

half hidden between them. NOBODY
dreamed that I was anyone else but
the Swede-my head was tipped for
ward, so they couldn't see my fea-
lures. We drove outside town and
stopped. Then we said goodby. and
put on an old dress that had brought
with me and sneaked back home. No
body knew the difference"
"But Larsen-T
"You know as much as do, Son."
"You never saw Larsen again?"
II never saw any Of them. That
was the end"
"But Rodaine-"
Hes still here. You'll hear from
him-plenty soon. could see that,
the minute Blindeye Bozeman and
Taylor Bill began taking your meas
ure. You noticed they left the table
before the meal was over? It was to
tell Rodaine."
"Then he'll fight me, tOO?"
Mother Howard laughed-and her
voice was harsh.
"Rodaine's a rattlesnake. His sons
a rattlesnake. His wife's crazy-Old
Crazy Laura. He drove her that way.
She lives by herself, in an old house
on the Georgeville road. And she'd
kill for him, even if he does beat her
when she goes to his house and begs
him to. take her back. That's the kind
of crowd it is. Just to put good
finish on it all, the young 'un moves
in the best society in town and spends
most of his time trying to argue the
former district judges daughter into
marrying him. So there you are.
That's all Mother Howard knows,
Son."
She turned to the door and then.
turning, patted Fairchild on the shoul-
der
"Boy," came quietly, ~you've got
broad back and a good head. Rodaine
beat your father-don't let him beat
you. And always remember one
thing: Old Mother Howards played
the game before, and she'll play 1t
with you-dark streets aren't exactly
the place for you"
Robert Fairchild obeyed the in
structions, victim of many a conjec-
/, ture, many an attempt at reasoning
as he sought sleep that was far away.
Again and again there rose before
him the vision of two men in an open
buggy, with person between them
whom Ohadf believed to be an effemi-
nate-voiced Swede: in reality, only a
woman. And why had they adopted
the expedient? Why had not Larsen
been with them In reality? 1t was
hours before Fairchild found sleep,
and even then 1t was a thing of
troubled visions.
Streaming sun awakened him, and
he hurried to the dining room to find
himself the last lodger at the tables.
He ate a rather hasty meal, made
more so by an impatient waitress
then with the necessary papers in his
pocket, Fairchild started toward the
courthouse and the legal procedure
which must be undergone before he
made his first trip to the mine.
A block or two, and then Fairchilt
suddenly halted. Crossing the street
at an angle just before him was
| young woman whose features. whose
mannerisms he recognized. The whip
cord riding habit had given place nov
to a tailored suit which deprived he
i Of the boyishness that had been 81
apparent on their first meeting. Th'
cap had disappeared before close
| fitting, yaricolored turban. But tn
straying brown hair still was there
the brown eyes, the piquant little nos
and the prettily formed lips. Fair
child's heart thumped-nor did he stol
to consider why. A quickening OF hi
pace, and he met her just as sh
stepped to the curbing.
'Pm so glad Of this opportunity,
he exclaimed happily. Il want to n
turn that money to you. IL was $
J fused yesterday didn't realize"
.Aren't you mistaken?" She locke
at him with q slight smile. Fairchil
did not catch the infection.
! "Oh, no. I'm the man, you know
who helped you change that tire o
the Denver road yesterday"
pardon me-" This time one brow
} eye had wavered ever 30 slightly. II
/ i dicating someone behind Fairchil'
] "But wasn't on the Denver roa
t yesterday. and II you'll excuse me *
/ saying SO, I don't remember ever ha'
ing seen you before.
III There was little light In her eyt
t which took away the sting OF the d
: NAL, light which seemed to urge cal
/ ton. and at the same time to tell Fei
: child that she trusted him to do h
i Ipert % gentleman IN a thing 81
wished forgotten. More fused tbs
1 ever, he drew back and bent low
Z apology. while she passed on. Half
4 block away, q young man rounded
d corner and. seeing her. fastened
i 1oin her. She extended her han,
"a they chatted a moment. then stroll,
L up the street together. Fairchi
= lwatched blankly. then turned at
z chuckle just behind him emanatiI
from the bearded lips OF an old mine
2 loafing on the stone coping in fro
/ 0f small store.
I sPick the wrong ally. pardner
( EcaIne the query. Fairchild manag
= Et1 nmf1e