The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-11-03

self
lie poured tho glass nearly un.
then bc gulpcd tho liquor down. II
tasted much as Il smcllod. hence ho
derived little enjoyment from tho cx-
peFirnce As he stripped a bin from
his stable roll OF hank,uotes the bar
tender eyed him euriously and seemed
upon tho point OF speaking but
Pierca turned his shoulder
Engaged thus. he heard a voice
close 20 his ear. Il said.
Hello. mani
Pierce turned 90 discover that a
glrl was leaning with elbows upon
tho plank counter az his side and
looking az him, Her chin was sup
ported upon her elaspCd fingers, she
was staring into his face.
Sho eyed him silently for a mo.
ment. during which he returned her
unsimllnE gaze. She dropped her
eyes TO the whisky glass. then raised
them again 10 his,
Can YOU take drink like that
and not feel ttg'' she inquired.
NO, want 10 feel 10, that's why
I take a." he said. grufuy.
What's tho dear
"Idea7 Well. It's my own idea
my own business"
Tho girl took no utfcnse. she main
taincd her curious observation OF
him: she appeared genuinely inter-
estci IN acquaintinE herself with 4
man who could master such q phe'
nomeual quantity OF LIQUOR.
What's your manner" she asked.
suddenly
Pierce told her. And yOun7" hs
inquired
'Iaure"
"Iaure whatg'
"Just Laure-tor the present"
"Humph! You're one Of this
theatrical company. I presume" He
Indicated tho singers across the
room.
Eyes. Morris Best hired Us 70
work In his place at Dawson"
Laurie pondered for a moment; ovcn
moro carefully than before she
studied her companion, That the
result satisfied her she made plain By
saying:
Morris wants men. / can set him
to hire you. Would you want TO hook
up with usT''
81 don't know. II doesn't much
matter. VIII you have something TO
drink now"
why should II They don't give
any percentage here. Wait IN SEQ
Morris and tell You what he says
Leaving Pierce, the speaker hurried
10 a harassed little man Of Hchr4tc
countenance who was engaged In tho
difficult task OF chaperoning this
unruiy aggregation OF talent To
him she said:
i've found a man for you. Nor,
ris."
After some further talk the man.
agcr approached Phillips and made
himself known. 'Taurn tells me you
want to Join our troupe" he began.
"I'n see that ha pays you we'll" tho
girl urged Come on"
Phillips thoughts were not quite
clear. but, even 80. tho situation
struck him as grotesqgeiy amusing
I'm no song-and-dance men" he
said. with smile. what would
you expect me TO do? Play a mar
dolin?''
II don't know exactly" Best re-
piled. Maybe you could help me
ride herd on these Bernhardts"
I'm GO. said Phillips.
we leave at daylight" Best told
him.
with 'Poleon Dorst TO be busy was
J to be con;ented, and these were busy
times for him. His daily routine
with trap and gun. had made Of him
an early riser and had bred In him
a habit OF greeting the sun with a
song. II was no hardship for him,
/ therefore, 10 cook his breakfast by
candle light. especially now that the
days were growing short. on the
mssz.ng after his recus Of sam kir-
by and his daughter. PoleOu washed
/ his dishes and cut his wood: then,
| finding that there was stlll an hour
to spare before tho light would be-
sufficient to run Miles Canon, no 1T
| his pipe and strolied up to the vii
| laga The ground was now white.
for considerable snow had fallen
during the night. the day promised
TO DO extremely short and unCom.
| Portable.
/ Tho fellow held the girl for an
instant and helped her TO regain her
equilibrium. exclaiming. with a laugh
Say. What's the matter with you
sister? Can't you SEQ where you're
going7" When Rouletta made no re.
sponse the man continued in an ever
friendller tone: We'll. / can see; my
eyesight's good. and IL tells me you're
about the best.lookiug dame I've run
into tonight" sim laughing. he ben
his head as IL to catch the girls an
swcr. "Eh? don't get you. whc
! d'you say you're looking for?'
Z plEpAA paw nv" THAI AAlD sri wa
indeed not herself.
MY fried" he demanded. brusque
ly, "w'ere you takin' dis lady7"
"Eh?" Tho fellow wheeled sharp.
What's tho idea? What Is shs
to your"
She amt not'in' to me. But
seen you plenty tams an'--you ain
no good"
Rouletta spoke intelligibly for tbs
first time: i've no place 10 go-nc
place to sleep. I'm very--tired"
There you've got IT," the gIrl't
self appointed protector grinned
We'll, 1 happen to have room fol
her in my tent" AS Doret's finger
sank deeper into his flesh the man't
anger rose; no undertook to shake
off the unwelcome grasp. You legso
You mind your own business
dis goin' BIO my biznesse." Po
leon announced 'Dere's something
fonny bout his
Don't get funny with me. got
as much right TO her as you have
| 'Poleon jerked the man Off hi,
feet, then flung him aside as If III