White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-01-20
CHAPTER IV-Continued

10
mo-" she decided, "for he Is really
fastidious and Nettie's a hopelessly
common little thing. And yet, If he
can stand me and the dope I hand
out to him"
She did not know, however, that St
Croix, to his own wonder, never felt
that she was common" or vulgar
not even when she manifested the In
telligence of sheep or twisted the
English language until his nerves
were rasped; not even when she sal
sprawling ungracefully with her feet
far apart, nor when, after tasting ar
apple, she drew the back Of her hanl
across her mouth.
She was a good actress, but there
was that something inherent that moth
ing could Disguise
1t was just when, relieved of Aunt
Rosy's espionage, Nicely was begin
ming to feel, in spite of the dangerous
proximity of Marvin Creighton, more
at her ease, less insecure in her equiv
ocal position, that, on that very eve
ming when she sat in the warm, bright
kitchen, peacefully writing letters, she
was to find the complexity and preca
robustness of her situation greatly in
creased by the outcome of an episode
which was, at that same hour, in 1T:
incipiency on a Sunbury street corner
eight miles distant.
Mr.. Sam Schwenckton, having fin
ished the business which had taker
him to town, was about to enter his
car parked on the edge Of the town
and start for home, when a man stand
ing on the corner, apparently waiting
for a trolley car, approached him.
pardon mellow often do these
cars rum" the man inquired in q tom
of extreme irritation. give been wait
ing here twenty minutes!"
ut don't run no cars on this lin
after seven o'clock, Mister. This her
trolley line amt DOM much bushes
anyhow, so it stops till seven already
You must be stranger here-ain't?-
or you'd o. knowed that"
"No-but l seldom use the trolle,
Today, however, had to leave my al
tomobile at the repair shop Are 20,
by any chance, driving out this road
Eyes, eight mile out"
"Will you, then, for consideration
fet me go with your"
Now as the night was raw and we
it would, Mr.. Schwenckton felt, /
only q Christian act to offer tn
stranger a seat in his car. Also, /
liked company, some one to talk
on an eight-mile drive. But the new
papers were so full of holdup stories
and he was carrying a good deal {
money - wouldn't he be takin
chances?
The man looked so decent, howevt
(what could be seen of him in the din
messy and Mr.. Schwenckton had, {
always when he travelled at nigh
brought his revolver with him
} He felt in his pocket and surre
titiously moved his pistol from
right-hand pocket to his left.
II wouldn't want no SIGH 'consi
eration,' Mister Just SOS you air
one of these here thugs you can res
about in the papers"
The man laughed. you're twi'
my size. If can trust you not to no
me up, l guess you're safe!"
Eyes, l guess that's so too. A
right. Come on, them
: Mr.. Schwenckton felt rather chea
J ed when he found that the strange
!; though sociable and agreeable enoug
: was not going to repay his hospitali
by satisfying his curiosity as to wi
, he was. All the leading question
) with which the farmer piled him r
: ceived evasive answers. This SCENE
to Mr.. Schwenckton so suspicious tn
, he frequently felt in his left-hal
pocket to be ready in case of need.
, However, he tried to put his Apr
, tensions aside and to beguile the rlt
with friendly talk.
$50 your car had to 60 to the sho
heh?"
Eyes, worse luck J!
"When first got my car l dro'
her and drove her till got the co
In my chest and 1t near give pne
monia yet! Yes, anyhow"
The stranger made sound EXPIRE
sive of his sympathy. For viii
hey drove in silence.
"Funny thing happened in the bal
.oday," Mr.. Schwenckton resumed co
versationally. "When ! went In
get check cashed-" He stopp
short in consternation-how tactic
TO mention having cashed check +!
"What was tt" asked his cOmpa
ION.
"Not much-a dollar or so. ! spe
It," said Mr.. Schwenclston pointed
~ mean what was the funny thil
! that happened?"