The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-02-18

remorse ?-regret? If he ever thinks at all
of what he has done it is only to be thank
full that there were no witnesses. To Plith
the incident is closed. But it is not
closed" For the rest Of the way he rode
in a morOse silence despite all the anxious
Snedden could say.
At two O'Clock next morning Arnott,
sleepless, got up and sent a night letter to
Dick Wire. That done, he fell at once into
a peaceful sleep.
Two mornings later Arnott pleasurably
watched Dick Wire weaving his swift way
through the crowd up the station ramp.
Wire was light heartedly swinging his
heavy suitcase; his %impudent face alight,
his mischief loving black eyes sparkling
with interest and curiosity. He dropped the
suitcase at ArnOtt's feet, came to atten-
ton, saluted.
What orders, captain? ?" he asked in his
He caught his wartime battery captains
hand and wrung it warmly. Whatever it
IS, Mr.. ArnOtt, I'm for it. l wish it was
another war"
ut isl" Arnott answered grimly.
The war began ten mornings later.
Plith had just finished shaving when, in
the mirror, he caught a glimpse Of his son
leaning u~neaSily against te door. paul! -
Plith cried, perturbed by his sons express
sion-the mouth with its wry, sneering
smile Of bravadO belying the hunted eyes.
You haven't seen yet what's in front Of
our hOuse-waiting."
L lllu SJdIGu from the DeuEOOm WllQOW, u
numbed, icy feeling creeping along his
spine. An automobile Of a distinctive, sill
very gray stood at the curb. The morning
sun, coming from between the houses, fell
upon it like a spotlight, gave prominence
to every scuff and dent and scar, brought
into relief the splintered fragments that
had been its running board, threw into
deep shadows the crumplings Of its twist
ed tenders. Without any tOp-Jagged
stubs where the uprights had been-it
seemed a strangely denuded, indecent
thing.
Some wreck Plith, secretly very
much shaken, steadied himself for the sake
of his boy. After all, he did not believe in
ghosts, especially ghost automobiles. He
strobe out to the car-Paul keeping close
at his heels-and jerked open the door.
See, Paul!' with his fat, white fOrehngeI
he pointed reassuring ly to the name on
Wire.
Paul closed the door and silently pointed
TO the gold leaf monogram on the panel
h. A. Father and son gazed at each other,
unhappiiy. whats it going about tOwn
like this fOr?-all these months since, and
all smashed just like-like it WASP" the boy
asked, s~ullenly. Obviously against his will
Paul let his eyes stray to the tOnneau, and
ne shrank back, shuddering. They're
there!' he whimpered.
"WhO-what area" Plith whirled toward
him.
; The stains-the blood" shuddering
backing away.
2 -1Ou-yOu go into the mousse! MS rather
suddenly ragged. "NOt another wOrd-gC
in!' Then, sOftening at sight of the boys
lear, he called, nervOusly, You and nam
] ma and Selma start breakfast. III be IL
when 1 find what this cars doing here
r PaulEdOn't tell. Maybe they haven
? In the house Mrs. Plith and Selma werr
. watching from behind the curtains. Thesl
: two did not even try to doubt. Little Selm'
stood, rigid with fear. "Has it come to-
: 20 get daddy-like the ghosts came in DE
. Munsterkild D.
BE still!' Mrs. PIith Kissed.
They watched him-watched Plith on