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SRWBIR r,r- K % P * v . ^ : . ^ - ^ v - ; , *j i t«i|% jS, s^ '^•••fH.»-^.»<.#.,,^l - % ! i t,'S'<5.# - -y. &#**•..£<•**'•• "• ^-3 '~*^f' '•>' >,^*V<k..1 •' *'•> • -iV, t/•-•, ?«? .. • v . J 4 ?v -• v T* HE McHEXBY PLAINDEALER, McHENRT, ILIi. ^ 'W * ^ -• c < - *$%%. p^pe•••: -=%»* itiiiiiihi mm^rnrn '.<fc ftlh .•-5ft®iSEfi#.'-, ' ^"'•lT*3? '.£?: v . 5. •""- 'i- > *' • •; " / '*[_ *. + , •„•• •••••••*•••••••+•••••»•••»•»»••»•»•»••••••»•••»••••••••»»••#» 1 :if ^'1?, «/*. it. ..-; 21 fe .. \ By GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEONT Copyright by Dodd. 1(m! A Company. Im, A ::df \ * •*-.'Jk-- CHAPTER XVIII ; ' ' --12-- The Prisoner*. The gruesome cavalcade wended Its Wtj towuward. Moll Hawk sat between the sheriff and Cyrus Allen on the sprlngless board that served as a Mat atop the lofty sideboards of the wagon. The crude wooden wheels rambled and creaked and jarred along the deep-rutted road, jouncing the occupants of the vehicle from side to side with unseemly playfulness. Back ID the bed of the wagon, under a goyly colored Indian blanket, lay the outstretched body of Jasper Suggs, seemingly alive and responsive to the jolts apd twists and turns of the road. Tbe rear end gate had been removed and three men sat with their heels dangling outside, their backs to the •blister, unnoticed traveler who shared accommodations with them. Tbe central figure was Martin Hawk, grim, saturnine, silent, his feet and hands secured with leather thongs. Trotting along under his heels, so to •peak, were his three dogs--their tongues hanging out, their tails drooping, their eyes turning neither to right nor left They were his only Mends. Some distance behind rode three horsemen, leading as many riderless steeds. On ahead was another group ct riders. Rachel Carter rode alongaide the wagon. Moll had firmly refused to wear the older woman's cape. She had on a coat belonging to one of the men and wore a flmsy, deep-hooded bonnet that once had been azure blue. Her shoulders sagged wearily, her back was bent, her arms lay limply upon her knees. She was staring bleakly before her over the horses' ears, at the road •head. The reaction had come. She had told the story of the night, haltingly but with a graphic integrity that left nothing to be desired. Martin Hawk had spent a black «nd unhappy hour. He was obliged to listen to his daughter's story and, uiuch to his discontent, was not permitted to contradict Jier in any particular. Two or three mournful at- . tempts to reproach her for lying •bout her own--and, he always added, her only--father, met with increasingly violent adjurations to "shut up," lite last one being so emphatic that he gave vent to a sharp howl of pain •tod began feeling with his tongue to ; #fce If all his teeth were there. ,/ It was after eight o'clock when the tjtagon and Its escort entered the out- •klrts of the town. Martin Hawk was lodged in the re- Cently completed brick jail adjoining the courthouse. He complained bitterly of the injustice that permitted his daughter, a confessed murderess, to enjoy the hospitality of the sheriff's home, whilst he, accused of nothing nore heinous than sheep-stealing, was Jfong into jail and subjected to the further Indignity of being audibly described as a fit subject for the whipping post, an institution that still prevailed despite a general movement to polish it throughout the state. galled him to hear the fuss that *tas being made over MolL Everybody seemed to be taking her part Why, that Gwyn woman not only went so far as to say she would be responsible Iter Moll's appearance In court, but ac tsally arranged to buy her a lot of new dothes. And the sheriff patted her on the shoulder and loudly declared that the only thing any Judge or jury could possibly find her guilty of was criminal •egllgence In only half-doing the Job. This was supplemented by a look that Ifft no doubt in Martin's mind as to jost what he considered to be the neg- 1 Ifcted part of tbc^job. : ; He bethought himself of the one fpwerful friend he had in town--Bar- , ff Lapeile. So he sent this message liy word of mouth to tbe suspected dandy: "I'm in JaiL I want you to come •»d see me right off. I mean boslfteSS.' 1 Needless to say, this message, conveying a far from subtle threat was a llrag time in reaching Mr. Lapeile, who ; liad gone into temporary retirement at lack Trentman's shanty, having artfved at that unsavory retreat by a --Roundabout circul$>us route which al- • lowed him to spend some time on the ' hank of a sequestered brook. Meanwhile Rachel Carter approached *?>er own home, afoot and weary. As ibe turned the bend she was surprised ^ Snd not a little disturbed by the sight «|f Kenneth Gwynne standing at hei ijjront gate. He hurried up the road to i - :lbeet her. -- "The worst has come to pass," he -••-•Announced, stopping In front of her. "T~~*«Before you go in I must tell you Just , : *rhat happened here this morning. Come in here among the trees where we can't be seen from the house." She listened Impassively to his stor* Pnly the expression In her steady, unswerving eyes betrayed her Inward concern and agitation. Not once did she interrupt him. Her shoulders, he observed. drooped a little and her arms . hung limply at her side, mute evidence of a sinking heart and the resignation that comes with defeat. "I am ready and willing." he assured her at the end, "to do anything, to Bay . / anything you wish, it Is possible for us to convince her that there Is no ' truth in what he said. We can lie--" . She held up her hand, shaking her head almost angrily. "No! Not that, Kenneth. I cannot permit you to He for me. That would be unspeakable. I am not wholly without honor. There Is nothing you can do for her--for either of us at present. Thank you for preparing me--and for your offer, Kenneth. Stay away from us until you have had time to think It all over. Then you will realize that this generous Impulse of yours would do more harm than good. Let her think what she will of 'me, she must not lose her faith in yon, my boy." S:-^V fat "But--what of her?" he expostulat ed. "What are you going to say to her when she asks you--" "I don't know," she Interrupted, lifelessly. "I am not a good liar, Kenneth Gwynne. Whatever else you may say or think of me, I--I have never wilfully lied." She started away, bnt after a few steps turned back to him. "Jasper Suggs is dead. Moll Hawk killed him' last night. She has been arrested. There is nothing you can do for Viola at present but you may be able to help that poor, unfortunate girl. Suggs told her about me. She will keep the secret. Go and see the sheriff at once. He will tell you all that has happened." Then she Strode off without another word. He watched the tall, black figure until it turned In at the gate and was lost to view, a sort of stupefaction gripping him. Presently he aroused himself and walked slowly homeward. As he passed through his own gate he looked over at the windows of the room in which Viola had sought seclusion. The curtains hung limp and motionless. He wondered what was taking place inside the four walls of that room. Out of the maze into which his thoughts had been plunged by the swift procession of events groped the new and disturbing turn in the affairs of Rachel Carter. What was back of the untold story of the slaying of Jasper Suggs? What were the circumstances? Why had Moll Hawk killed the man? Had Rachel Carter figured directly or Indirectly in the tragedy? He recalled her significant allusion to Isaac Stain tbe night before and his own rather startling Inference--and now she was asking him to help Moll Hawk in her hour of tribulation. A'cold perspiration started out all over him. The question persisted: What was back of the slaying of Jasper Suggs? He gave explicit and peremptory directions to Zacharlab In case Mrs. Gwyn asked for bim, and then set out briskly for the courthouse. By this time the news of the mnrder had spread over the town. A crowd had gathered In front of Scudder's undertaking "establishment. Knots of men and women; disregarding traffic, stood in the streets adjoining the public square, listening to some qualified narrator's account of the night's expedition and the tragedy at Martin Hawk's. Kenneth hurried past these crowds and made his way straight to the office of the sheriff. Farther down the street a group of people stood in front of the sheriffs house, while in the vicinity of the little jail an ever-Increasing mob was collecting. A friend espied him. "I've been over to your office twice, young man," he announced as he came up. "Where the devil have you been keepin* yourself? Mrs. Gwyn left word for you to come right up to her house. She wants you to take charge of the Hawk girl's case. Maybe you don't know it, but you've been engaged to defend her." Kenneth accompanied the sheriff to the latter's home for an interview with his client He had promptly consented to act as her counsel after hearing the story of the crime from the sheriff. After considerable persuasion on the part of the sheriff and his kindly wife, Moll repeated her story to Gwynne. She was abashed before this elegant young man. A shyness and confusion that had been totally lacking In her manner toward the other and older men took possession of her now, and it was with difficulty that she was induced to give him the complete details of all that took place in her father's cabin. When he shook hands with her as he was about to take his departure, she suddenly found courage to say: "Kin I see you alone fer a couple of minutes, Mr. Gwynne?' "Certainly, Miss Hawk," he replied^ gravely courteous. "I am sure Mr. and Mrs.--" . "Come right in tbe sitting room, Mr. Gwynne," Interrupted the housewife, busting over to open the door. Moll stared blankly at her counsel. No one had ever called her Miss Hawk before. She was not quite sure that she had heard aright. Could it be possible that this grand young gentleman had called her Miss Hawk? Still wondering, she followed him out of the kitchen, sublimely unconscious of the ridiculous figure she cut In the garments of the older woman. "Shut the door," she said, as her keen, wood-wary eyes swept the room. She crossed swiftly to the window and looked out. Her lips curled a little. "Most of them people has been standin' out yonder sence nine o'clock, tryln* to see what sort of lookln' animal 1 am, Mr. Gwynne. Hain't nobody got any work to do?" "Vulgar curiosity, nothing more," said he, Joining her at the window. " 'Taln't ever' day they get a chance to see a murderer, is it?" she said, lowering her head suddenly and putting a hand to her quivering chin. For the first time she> seemed on the point of breaking down. He made lmste to exclaim, "You are not a murderer. You must not think or say 6uch things, Miss Hawk.". She kept her head down. A scarlet wave crept over her face. "I--I wish you wouldn't call me that, Mr. Gwynne. Hit--hit makes me feel kind ° &lnd o' lonesome-like. Jest as-- ef I didn't have no friends. Call me Moll. That's all I am." He studied for a moment the halfaverted face of this girl of the forest. He could not help contrasting It with "You will be surprised to find how many friends you have, Moll," he said gently. There was no Indication that she was Impressed one way or the other by this remark. She drew back from the window and faced him, her eyes keen and searching. "Do you reckon anybody Is. listenin'?" she asked. , "I think not--In fact I am sure we are quite alone." "Well, this Is somethln' I don't keer to have the shurreff know, or anybody else, Mr. Gwynne. Hits about Mr. Lapeile." "Yes?" he said, as she paused warily. "Mrs. Gwynne she tole line this mornin' that whatever I said to my lawyer would be sacred an' wouldn't ever be let out to anybody, no matter whut It wuz. She said It wuz ag'lnst the code er somethln*. Wuz she right?" "In a sense, yes. Of course, you must understand, Moll, that no honest lawyer will obligate htinself to shield a criminal or a fugitive from justice, or--I may as well say to you now that If you expect that, of me I must warn you not to tell me anything. You would force me to withdraw as your counsel." "I wuz only thinkln' mebby you could see your way to do somethln' I wuz goln' to ask. I jest wanted to git word to Mr. Lapeile." "Mr. Lapeile and I are not friends, Moll." "Is ft beca'se of whut { sSked Ike Stain to tell ye?" "Partly." , -% "I mean about stealin' Miss Vfoly Gwyn an' takin' her away with him?" "I want to thank you, Moll, for sending me the warning. It was splendid of you." "Oh, I didn't do It beca'se--" she began, somewhat defiantly, and then closed her Hps tightly. The sullen look came back Into her eyes. "I understand. You--you like him yourself." "Well--whut ef I" do?" she burst out. "Hit's my look-out, ain't It?" "Certainly. I am not blaming you." "I guess there ain't no use talkln' any more," she said flatly. "You wouldn't do whut I want ye to do anyhow', so what's the sense of askin' you. We better go back to the kitchen." "It may console you to hear that I have already told Mr. LapeHe that he must get out of this town before tomorrow morning," said he deliberately. "And stay out!" Sne leaned forward, her face brightening. "You tole him to git away tonight?" she half-whispered, eagerly. "I thought you said you wuzn't a friend o' hls'n." "That is what I said." "Then, whut did you warn htn to git away fer?" £Ie was thinking rapidly. "I did It on account of Miss Gwyn, Moll," he replied, evasively. "Do you think he'll go?" she asked, a fierce note of anxiety In her voice. "That remains to be seen." Then he hazarded: "I think he will when he finds out that your father has been arrested." HHe's been a good friend to me, Mr. Gwynne. Mr. Lapellcrhas," said she, a little huskily. She waited a moment and then went on earnestly and with a garrulousness that amazed him: "I don't keer whut he's done that ain't right, er whut people Is goln' to say about him, he's alius been nice to me. I guess m^bby you air a wonderln' why I tole Ike Stain about him flggerln' on carryln' Miss Gwyn away. That don't look very frlpndly, I guess. Hit wuzn't beca'se I thought I might git him fer myself some time--no, hit What Ef-1 Del* wuzn't that Mr. Gwynne. I ain't setoh a fool as to think he could, ever want to be sparkin' me. I reckon Ike Stain fole ye I wuz jealous. Well, I wuzn't, I declare to goodness I wuzn't. Hit wuz beca'se I jest couldn't "low her to git married to him, knowln' whut 1 do. I wuz tryln' to make up my mind to go see her some time an' tell her not to marry him, but I jest couldn't seem to git the spunk to do It She used to come to see me when I wuz sick last winter s)a* she wuz mighty nice to me. ' "First thing I know, 'him an* Pap begin to fix up this plan to carry her off. So I started up to town to tell t^ejClear"CUf' (*ell( ate' beautifully mod- her. I got as fer as Ike's when I flgeled face of another girl of the dafk frontier--Viola Gwyn. And out of this swift estimate grew a new pity for poor Moll Hawk, the pity one feels for the vanquished. gered I better let him do It, him beln' a man, so I drapped In at his cabin an' tole him. I didn't know whut else to do. I had to stop 'em from doin' It somehow. Hit wouldn't do no good fer me to beg Pap to drap It, er to rare up on my hind-legs an' make threats ag'lnst 'em, ca'se they'd soon put a stop to that. Course I had It all flggered out whut I wuz goln' to do when thet pack o' rascals got caught tryln' to steal her--some of 'em shot, like as not--and I didn't much keer whuther my Pap wuz one of 'em er not. "I knowed where Mr. Lapeile wuz to meet 'em down tbe river acrosst from Le Grange, so I was flggerln' on flndln' him there an' tellin' him whut bad happened an' fer him to make his Escape down the river while he had setch a good start. I wuzn't goln' to let anything happen to Miss Violy Gwyn ef I could help it I--I sort of flggered It out as a good way to help both o' my friends, Mr. Gwynne, an' --an' then this here thing happened. I want Mr. Lapeile to git away safe-- ca'se I know whut Pap's goln' to do. He's goin' to blat out a lot o' things. He says he's sure Mr. Lapeile put Mrs. Gwyn up to havln' him arrested." t? think yon may rest easy, Moll," said he, a trifle grimly. "Mr. Lapeile had an engagement with me for tomorrow morning, but I'll stake my life he will not be here to keep It." "All right," she said, satisfied. "Ef you say so, Mr. Gwynne, I'll believe It. Whut do you think they'll do to Pap?" "He will probably get a dose of the whipping-post for one thing." She grinned, "Gosh, I wish I could be some-eres about BO'S I could see It." she cried. CHAPTER XIX ^ = Challenge and Retort. Kenneth could hardly contain himself until the time came for him to go home for his noonday meal. Try as he would, he could not divorce his thoughts from the trouble that had come to Viola. The sinister tragedy in Martin Hawk's cabin was as nothing compared to the calamity that had befallen the girl he loved, for %!oll Hawk's troubles would pass like a whiff of the wind, while Viola's would endure to the end of time--always a shadow hanging over her brightest day, a cloud that would not vanish. Out of the silence had come a murmur more desolating that the thunderbolt wjth all its bombastic fury; out of the silence had come a voice that would go on forever whispering Into her ear an unlovely story. A crowd still hung about the jail and small, ever-shifting groups held sober discourse In fronr of business places. He hurried by them and struck off up the road, his mind so Intent upon what lay ahead of him that he failed to notice that Jack Trentman had detached himself from the group in front of the undertaker's and was following swiftly after him. He was nearly half-way home when he turned, In response to a call from behind, and beheld tbe gambler, "I'd like a word with you, Mr. Gwynne," drawled Jack. "I am in somewhat of s hurry, Mr, •" t "I'll walk along with you. If you donlt mind," said the other, coming up beside him. "I'm not In the habit of beating about the bush. When I've got anything to do. I do It without much fiddling. Barry Lapeile is down at my place. He has asked me to represent him in a little controversy that seems to call for physical adjudication. How will day after tomorrow at five In tlie morning suit you?" "Perfectly," replied Kenneth, stiffly. "Convey my compliments to Mr. Lapeile and say to him that I overlook the irregularity and will he glad to meet him at any time and any place." "I know It's Irregular," admitted Mr. Trentman, with an apologetic wave of the hand, "but he was In some doubt as to who might have the honor to act for you, Mr. Gwynne, so he suggested that I come to you direct If you will oblige me with the name of the friend who Is to act as your second, I will make a point of apologizing for having accosted you in this manner, ami also perfect the details with him." "I haven't given the matter 8 • moment's thought," said Kenneth, frowning. "Day after tomorrow morning, you say?" "Yes, iflr." "Can't you arrang* it^ tomorrow morning?" Mr. Trentman spread out his hands in a deprecatory manner. "In view of the fact that you are expected to appear in court at nine tomorrow morning to defend an unfortunate girl, Mr. Lapeile feels that he would be doing your client a very grave Injustice If he killed her lawyer--er--a trifle prematurely, you might say. He has confided to me that he Is the young woman's friend and can't bear the thought of having her chances jeopardised by--" "Pardon me, Mr. Trentman," Interrupted Kenneth shortly. "Both of you are uncommonly thoughtful and considerate. Now that i am reminded of my pleasant little encounter with Mr. Lapeile this morning, 1 am constrained to remark that 1 have had all the satisfaction I desire. You may say to him that I am a gentleman and not in the habit of fighting duels with borsethleves." ^ Mr. Trentman started. His vaunted aplomb sustained a sharp spasm that left him with a slightly fallen Jaw. "Am I to understand, sir, that you are referring to ray friend as a horse thief?'.' he demanded, bridling. merely asked you to take that essage to him," said Kenneth coolly. "I might add cattle tlilef, sheep stealer, hog thief or "Why, good G--d, sir," gasped Trentman, "he'd shot you down like a dog, if 1 "You might also tell Mr. Lapeile that his bosom friend Martin Hawk Is In Jail." "Well, wbajt of It?" "Does Lapeile know that Martin is in jail?" "Certainly--and he says he ought to be hung. That's what he thinks of Hawk. A man that would sell his own--" "Hawk is In Jail for stoc&stealing Mr. Trentman." "What's that got to do with the case? What's that got to do with your calling my friend a horse thief?" "A whole lot sir. You will probably find out beforfe the day is over that you are harboring and concealing you may thank Martin Hawk for the Information in case you prefer not to accept the word of a gentleman. If you wrf-e to come to me as a client seeking counsel, I should not hesitate to advise you--as your lawyer--that there Is a law agalns.t harboring criminals and that you are laying yourself open to prosecution." Trentman dubiously felt of bis chin. "Being well versed In the law," he said, "I suppose you realize thai Mr. Lapeile can recover heavy dgmngy against you In case -what yon have said to me isn't true." "Perfectly. Therefore, I repeat to you that I cannot engage In an affair of honor with a thief. I knocked him down this morning, but that was lu the heat of righteous anger. For fear that your report to him may lead Mr. Lapeile to construe my refusal to meet him day after tomorrow morning as cowardice on my part, permit me to make this request of you. Please say to him that I shall arm myself with a pistol as soon a§ I have reached my house, and that I, expect to be going about the streets of Lafayette as usual." "I see," said Trentman, after a moment. "You mean you'll be ready for him In case he hunts you up." "Exactly." •••*>. "By the,way, Mr. Gwynne, have you ever fought a duel?" -No." ' "Would It interest you 1» know that Mr. Lapeile has engaged in several, with disastrous results to his adversaries ?" ' "I think he has already mentioned something of the kind to me", "I'd sooner be your friend than your enemy, Mr. Gwynne," said the gambler earnestly. "I am a permanent citizen of this town and I have no quarrel with you. As your friend, I am obliged to Inform you that Barry Lapeile Is a dead shot and as quick as lightning with a pistol. I hope you will take this in the same spirit that it is given." "I thank you, sir," said Kenneth, courteously. "By the way, do you happen to have a pistol with you at pres» ent, Mr. Trentman?" The other looked St bim keenly for a few seconds before answering. "I have. I seldom go without one." "If you will do me the kindness to walk with me up to the woods beyond the lake and will grant me tbe loan of your weapon for half a minute, I think 1 may be able to demonstrate to you that Mr. Lapeile is not the only dead shot in the world. I was brought up with a pistol In my hand, so to speak. Have you ever tried to shoot a ground squirrel at twenty paces? You have to be pretty quick to do that you know." Trentman shook his head. "There's a lot of difference between shooting a ground squirrel and blazing away at a man who Is blazing at you at the same time. I'll take your word for the ground squirrel business, Mr. Gwynne, and bid y'6u gbod day." "My regrets to your principal and my apologies to you, Mr. TrentmaA," said Kenneth, lifting his hat. The gambler raised his own hat A close observer would have noticed a troubled, anxious gleam In his eye as he turned to retrace his steps In the direction of the square. It was his custom -to saunter slowly when traversing the streets of the town, as one who produces his own Importance and enjoys It leisurely. He never hurried. He loitered rather more gracefully when wulklng than when standing still. But now he strode along briskly --in fact, with such lively decision that for once in his life be appeared actually to be going somewhere. As he rounded the corner And came in sight of the jail, he directed a fixed, consuming glare upon the barred" windows; a quite noticeable scowl settled upon his ordinarily unruffled brow --the scowl of one searching Intently, even apprehensively. He was troubled. His composure was sadly disturbed. Kenneth Gwynne bad given him something to thtnk about--and the more he thought about it the faster he walkedv He was perspiring quite freely and he was a little short of breath when he flung open the door and entered his "den of Iniquity" down by the river. He took In at a glance the three men seated at a table In a corner of the somewhat commodious "cardroom." One of them was dealing "cold hands" to his companions. A fourth man, his dealer, was leaning against the window frame, gazing pensively down upon the slowmoving river. Two of the men at the table were newcomers In town. They had come up on the Revere and they had already established themselves In his estimation as "skeletons"; that Is, they had been picked pretty clean by "buzzards" In other climes before gravitating to his "bor<eyard." He considered himself a good judge of men, and he did not like the looks ot this Ill-favored pair. He had made up his mind that he did not want them hanging around the "shanty"; men of that stripe were just tbe sort to give the place a bad name! One of them had recalled himself to Barry Lapeile t benight before; said he used to work for a trader down south or somewhere. Without the ceremony of a knock on tbe door, Mr. Trentman entered s room at the end of the shanty, and there be found Lapeile reclining on a cot Two narrow silts in a puffed expanse of purple grading off to a greenish yellow indicated the position of Barry's eyes. The once resplendent daqdy was now a sorry sight "Say," began Trentman, after ho had closed the door, "1 want to know just how thlngb stand with you and Martin Hawk. No beating about the bush, Barry. J want the truth and nothing else." • Parry raised himself on one elbow and peered at his host "What are you driving at. Jack?" be demanded* throatily. "Are you mixed up with him In •*»!• Stock-running business?" "Well, that's a b--1 of a question to ask a--" "It's easy to answer. Are yoo?" "Certainly not--and I ought to pot a bullet through you for asking suck an insulting question." "He's in jail, charged with stealing sheep and calves,-and he's started to talk. Now, look here, Lapeile, I'm your after every meal Cleanses nssth ••« 1 alls ilgestlsB. Ksllcvet til at ever* *aten feeling wl aeld •aoutfeu lis i-a-s-t-l-n-0 flavor satisfies tts craving for sweets. Wrigl«f*g Is doable valne la the benefit and pleasnre It provides. Stabd t; At IM> Msfav*. i'J'lWi ufic flavor •I Wilting for Ton -• NEW Salad Delight Vfith it bottle of New Style Yacht Club Salad IZheewng in the house a new salad delight awafes you. Yacht Club has been favorite lor 35 years. It is mild, rich and creamy--always ready-- •Iwaya good. G«t • bottle today fcro jam erocer and write ior the Yacht Club Manual of Salad*--a really prac* tical book on aalad making--acnt irw. Yacht SALAD DRESSING 3U N.Clark Sc. Chicago,QL -YOU Martin's 8tealing." friend, but It you are mixed up In this business the sooner you get out of here the better It will suit me. Walt a minute t I've got more to say. I know you're planning to go down on the boat tomorrow, but I don't believe it's soon enough. I've seen Gwynne. He says In plain English that he won't fight a duel with a horse thief. He must have some reason for saying that. He has been employed as Moll Hawk's lawyer. She's probably been talking, too. I've been thinking pretty hard the last ten minutes or so, and I'm beginning to understand why you wanted me to arrange the duel for day after tomorrow when you knew you were leaving town on the Revere In the morning. You were trying to throw Gwynne ofT the track. I thought at first it was because you were afraid to fight him, but now I see things difi ferently. I'll be obliged to you If you'll come straight out and tell me what's In the air. I'm a square man and I like to know whether I'm dealing with square men or not." Lapeile sat up suddenly on the edge of the bed. Somehow, It seemed to Trentman. the greenish yellow had spread lightly over the rest of his face. "You say Martin's in Jail for stealing?" he asked, gripping the corn-husk bedtick with tense, nervous fingers, "and not in connection with the killing of Suggs?" (TO BB CONTINUWX) That Proves It Mr. A--Your business college fot young ladies seems to be all right Mr. B--It Is all right. "Do you give the girls • good practical business training?" "In reply to that question I can only , say that 60 per cent of our graduated marry their employers the first year.* --London Answers. , v ». WOMEN CAN DYE A!ff: GARMENT, DRAPERY or Tint Worn, Faded Things New for 15 Cents, Diamond Dye: Don't wonder whether you can dyp or tint successfully, because perfect home dyeing is guaranteed with "Diamond Dyes" even if you have nevflf dyed before. Druggists have all colorf^ Directions in _ eacti package--Advefr tisemeat. • ° . Leading i^uettton "Father," said Myra, "why didn't yoa tell me you had had this rustic seat varnished? When Charlie Roblnsoll and I sat down on It last night he gclr varnish all over his coat and trousers,* "Oh, did he? But what about you?" asked father. I have shot mine arrow over the house--and hurt my brother.--Hamlet, Act V. •X*X*X«X*X<»X+X«X*X+X*X«X+X«X*X+X+X*X*Z«X«X*X«X«X*X«X* Arbiters Are of Form and Taste 8eholara of French Academy Alway* Will Be Defenders of Claasio School They Represent. The world owes an eternal gratitude to this august assembly of scholars (the French academy), for, though the literary bolsheviki of France jeer and satirize this group of men, nevertheless, they always have been and always will be the defenders of the classic school they represent. They are the keepers of the holy seal of form and t taste, of accuracy and of discretion. They are not easily wooed nor are they casually won. Their standards are inviolate and to be respected, and no facile and sporadic talent shall prevail against them, lay ft Elizabeth Marbury. The French academy, like fashionable society, is theoretically spurned by those to whom entrance therein is denied; nevertheless, let these contemptuous critics be given the slightest hope of admission and they will forthwith become sycophantic in their admiration and truculent in their expressions of esteem. It is a widely known fact that no influence so quickly converts a radical into a reactionary as does bis election to power. I could never quite understand why any writer of comedy should aspire to become a member of this very austere body. The atmosphere It exudes is traditionally against the spirit of mirth. Everything savors so intensely of serious responsibility that levity of any kind seems sadly out of place. One Interesting feature Is that when In broad daylight the academicians don their historical costume, consista thief down there In your shaol#, i log of a cocked hat and a coat embroidered In gold palms, this is not viewed as an absurdity. It Is a part ot the traditions which no one would be courageous enough to criticise. But when this same costume Is dis. played for sale in some pawnshop win* dow in the Rue de Provence, or worn in a London drawing room, as wan the case whenever ^Julius Claretle crossed the channel, then the gnn tesqueness of this literary livery bis comes apparent--Saturday Evening Post p Advice Came High. The only sure way to command i good price la never to cheapen one'* stock In trade. A Texas Justice of the peace recelv«d an Inquiry from a neighboring city attorney in regard to a Judgment thut had been entered against a certalr client. He Inclosed a stamped envo lope for reply., Some few days lata* he received a postal card bearing thte Information: "Your inquiry duly received. I bc4 to Inform you that my time Is highly valuable Just now. Hay cutting Is most nigh here, politics is sizzling h<X and automoblling is mighty fine. If you would Inclose a dollar bill It inlgbt stimulate me some. I paid two once to a lawyer for answering a question* tnd all be said was 'No.'" Famous Man Recommends Dodd's• HERBERT M. BILL, Analjrtl. JLTcal and Consulting Chemist of Buffalo, says: "I have examined a •ample of Dodd's Pills, a diuretic Stimulant to the kidneys, and I find them free from all habit-formins drugs. I am certain that they are valuable for the purpose intended when taken according to directions." Follow hia advice. Get relief from your aches and pains. Every drug stora gells Dodd's Pilla, 60c, or direct bf mail, but "Try Th* Drut Start FtrtLm The Dodd's Medicine Co. of U.S. 700 Main St. - Buffalo, N. Y. Dodd's Pills DtanticStbmaiaM to Too day for a Widow. Saleswoman--"Madam, I know your husband would go wild over this hst,** Customer--"Yes, and drop dead ovw the bill, and then I couldn't wear ltN-- Boston Transcript ^ Mass meetings don't accompllidj much, but they do scare the adversary. Healthy, Happy Babies The best way to keep baby in crowing, contented health is Mrs. Winslow's Syrup. This safe, pleasant, effective remedy regulates the bowels and quickly overcomes diarrhoea, colic, flatulency, constipation and teething trouble MRS. WINSLOW'S SYRUP aOinm'* R*g*l*t»r is best for baby. Guaranteed free from narcotics, opiates, alcohol and all harmful ingredient* Open formula on every label. At mil Dragwittm Write forfrmteakMsCMtastroa grateful mothers, An>lo-A •• »ri-- Drag C*. W. N. Un CHICAGO. NO. 20--1924.