Evening star., 1923-02-04

house at the foot OF the hill He felt
distinctly. q change in himself, as II
the nearness OF Nathan Hobarts
house had recreated him.
He stood behind the high snake
fence, deliberately enjoying the con-
sciousness of this new spirit in him
self. It would be dark in another
two hours. In two more, Nathan
Hobart would have gone to bed. In
another. at the most. it would be easy
and safe to climb the apple tree be-
side the kitchen door, drop to the
low roof of the ell and SO reach the
window OF his own room-the Win
dow with the broken catch which
lad let him come and go so OFTEN
in the old days when he had walked
in fear of Nathan's anger.
Five hours to wait. He remem-
bered suddenly that he had not eaten
since morning. Supper would be
ready pretty soon, down there. He
thought of Nathan Hobart eating
alone, and Stephens hatred famed
again. as hunger fed it He could
help himself to food, too. when he
had taken the money. He could risk
a few minutes in the big pantry be-
fore he left. But Ave hours.
The need of food dominated even
his new-wakened hate. He glanced
about him and saw a hickory tree.
the leaves already turned. He filled
his hats with nuts and came back to
the fence corner to crack them be-
tween hardheads.
His thoughts came back to the
heart Of his errand, the money he
would hnd in Nathan Hobarts sec
rotary" Nathan would have col
lected some Of his loans. at least, by
new. and there would be sum worth
stealing in the locked drawer OF the
desk in the bedroom.
1t would be easy to manage 1t, too;
unless Nathan had got him a new
dog. Shep had been three years old
when he left-three years ago. He
could quiet Shep easily enough. Col
the house II would all be simple.
Nathan Hobart slept with his door
unlocked A little chloroform on
gauze--a bit of a struggle. perhaps,
before 1t worked-and then plenty
OF time to break open the desk and
help himself.
He had IA right to whatever he
might get tonight. He'd had right
to it when he asked for it three
years back. Twenty-one. free to go
if he chose, but compelled to go bare
handed, IL he went. after twelve
years Of labor on Nathan Hobart's
farm Well. tonight would settle
that debt, anyway.
A STEP sounded behind him; the
"A slight noise magnifed to a
thunder in his ears as he sprang up
and whirled. his fists clenched. His
arms lowered as he met the level
glance and recognized the face for
Retta Duncan's Retta had grown
taller in the three years, but that
the same thin-lipped. sullen mouth.
the same hard. straight eyes that
had always seemed to be watching
him as cat watches a dog
hostility and distrust and a shade Of
Soorn in them.
Hello, Stevie." Her voice still held
the harsh quality he remembered.
Retta Duncan would know that he
had come back to the Glen. and when
the news of the robbery spread she
would know whose work 1t was. So
much the better! By the time she
talked he would be out of reach, lost
in the city where nobody would ever
find him. He chuckled.
Scared me. Retta- sneaking up that
way"
She nodded. Saw you jump. Crack
ing nuts, were you? They're no good
yet-too early
Not much. But they're better than
nothing. Got kind Of hungry. walking
over from the Junction"
bad as that?" She spoke almost
eagerly.
Just about. Guess it from my looks,
wouldn't you?"
She studied him silently.
Why'd you come back? Think he'll
help you?"
Not IL he knows it," He grinned.
But maybe he'll help me without
finding 1t out till he can't help him
self"
She watched him in silence. Then
she nodded and said:
II thought that might be the way
Of 1t when l saw you hiding in q
fence corner like that. You're going
TO rob him when it's dark enough.
You must need money pretty bad"
she said, slowly.
He shook his head. realizing sud
denly that the money was the lesser
motive.
Say, Retta-you make sure he
knows did ii, will your
She shook her head decisively. u
won't give you away. Stevie-"
But / want you to! I'm only do
ingit so as to hit back at him. There's
easier ways of getting money-and
safer. I'm doing this to get square
with him. I want you to tell"
''But-but they'd catch you-put you
in prison" He could see her eyes
widen. He laughed.
Il don't care IL they do-rnuch.
Every day spent in the pen I'd think
OF how he'd hate II. A Hobart In
prison! Why. he'd"
Her face darkened. He guessed that
she was thinking Of Nathan Hobart's
suff contempt, never concealed or
withheld from the shiftless neighbors
whose unkempt farm marched with
his own. She hated the old man, too
with cause.
You better come down and have
supper with US" she suggested. IF
nobody else sees you he might not
believe 1t was you. He might say I