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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1927)
HEPPNER GAZETTE TIMES, HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, NOV. 3, 1927. PAGE FIVE B IACKSHEEP! Cy Meredith Nicholson COPYRIGHT CHARLES SOOBNERS SONS -RELEASED THRU PUBLISHERS AUTOCASTER. SERVES INTRODUCTION Archibald Bennett, wealthy bachelor, travels constantly in the interest of his health. He meets Isabel Perry, who rec ommends a life of crime, adventure, ro- ir.ance and excitement as a cure for his nerves. Archie goes to Bailey Harbor to in vestigate a summer house for his sister. A heavy storm forces him to spend the night there. During the night he is awakened by footsteps, and in an encounter with the intruder, who sees Archie's figure reflected in the mirror and shoots, Archie fires in turn, wounding the intruder, who makes his escape. Archie plans flight to evade pub licity. He starts cross-country afoot in the night. At dawn he is stopped on a lonely country road by Ihe Uovernor, master mind criminal who mistakes him for a fel low criminal. Archie, fleeing, is afraid to tall the truth falls in with "The Govern or," is whisked across country in a stolen car. Sees story in newspaper of killing at Bailey Harbor and, frightened, he decides to say nothing but stick with his strange friend and wait developments. At Lorn ford, N. H., Archie comes upon Isabel Fer ry at the hotel desk but she refuses to rec ognise him. The Governor, by a clever plan switches stolen money for good money. Archie used as decoy making love to the niece of agent sent to meet eccentric Cong don here next day. Archie and the Gov ernor drive away without creating suspic ion and speed cross state to deliver the 160,000 to train-robber Leary at Walker's farm, where Archie gets new insight into workings of the crime world. Now read At the end of the meal Walker left for -town to put Leary on a train for Boston. The veteran train robber shook hands all round and waved a last farewell from the (fate. Archie was sorry to lose him, for Leary was an appealing old fellow, and he had hoped for a chance to coax from him some reminiscences of his exper iences. Leary vanished into the starlit dusk as placidly as though he hadn't tucked away in his clothing sixty thousand dollars to which he had no lawful right or title. There was something ludicrous in the whole pro ceeding. While Archie had an income of fifty thousand dollars a year from investments, he had always exper ienced a pleasurable thrill at receiv ing the statement of his dividends from his personal clerk in the bro ker's office, where he drew an addi tional ten thousand as a silent part ner. Leary's method of dipping into the world's capital seemed quite as his own. Neither really did any work for the money. The Governor, Bmoking a pipe on the veranda and chatting with Mrs. Walker, recalled him from his medi tations to suggest that he show a de cent spirit of appreciation of the Walker hospitality by repairing to the kitchen and helping Sally with the dishes. In his youth Archie had been carefully instructed in the prop er manner of entering a parlor, but it was with the greatest embarrass ment that he sought Suly in her kit chen. "I was just wondering whether you wouldn't show up! Not that you had to, but it's a good deal more fun, having somebody to keep you com pany in the kitchen." "Give me a towell and I'll promise not to break anything." "You don't look as though you'd been used to work much," she said, "but take off your coat and I'll hang an apron on you." ' His investiture in Mrs. Walker's ample apron made it necessary for Sally to stand quite close to him, and her manner of compressing her lips as she pinned the bib to tne col lar of his waistcoat he found wholly charming. His heart went pit-a-pat as her Angus, moist from the sJils, brushed ner chin. She was quite tall; taller than Isabel, who had fixed his standard of a proper height for girls. Sally did not giggle, but acted as nor mul sensible girls should act when phining aprons on young men. "You've never stopped here before? I thought I didn't remember you. Well, we're always glad to see the Governor, he's so funny; but say, some of the people who come along!" "I hope," said Archie, turning a dish to the light to be sure it was thoroughly polished, "I hope my pres ence isn't offensive?" "Cut it out!" she returned crisply. "Of course you're all right. I knew you were a real gent the first squint I got of you. You can't fool me much on human nature." "You've always lived up here?" asked Archie, meek uder her frank approval. "Certainly not. I wns born in Mis souri, a grand old state if I do say it myself, and we came here when I was twelve. I went through high school and took dairying and the domestic arts in college and I'm twenty-three .f you core to know." When the kitchen was in perfect order they reported the fact to Mrs. 'Volker and Sally suggested that they stroll to a trout brook which was her own narticular property. He had decided -to avoid any refer ece to the secrets of the underground trail, but his delicacy received a vio lent shock a moment later, when they were seated on a bench beside ihe brook. "Do you know," she said, "you are not like the others?" "I don't understand," ho faltered. "Oh, cut it outl You needn't try to fool me! When I told you nwhile ago 1 thought you were nice, I meant more than that-; I meant that you didn't at all Becm like the crooks that sneak through here and hide at our 1 ouse. You're more like the Govern or, and I never understand about the Governor. It doesn't seem possible that any one who isn't forced by nec essity into crime would ever follow the life, Now, you're a gentleman, any one could tell that, but I sup pose you've really done something pretty bad or you wouldn't be herel Now, I'm going to hand it to you straight; that's the only way." "Certainly, Miss Walker; I want you to be perfectly frank with me." "Well, my advice would be to give yourself up, do your time like a man and then live straight. The Governor has romantic ideas about the great game but that's no reason why you should walk the thorny road. Now pop would kill me if he knew I was talking this way. It's a funny thing about pop. All I know about him I just picked up a little at a time, and he and ma never wanted me to know. Ma's awful nervous about so many of- the boys stopping here, for she hung on to pop all the time he was shooting up trains out West, and having a husband in the penitentiary isn t a pleasant thing to think about. Ma's father ran a saloon down in Missouri; that's how she got ac quainted with pop, but ma was al ways on the square, and they both wanted me brought up right "I wouldn't be surprised if pop didn't pull out some time and beat it for the West. It must be awful burnt: for a man who's stuck pistols into the foceB of express messengers and ade bank tellers hand out their cash to settle down in a place like this where there's nothing much to do but go to church and prayer meet ing. I don t know how many men I op's killed in his time, but there must be quite a bunch. But pop dcesn't seem to worry much. It seems to me if I'd ever pumped a man full if lead I d have a bad case of insom- i.ia." "Well, I don't kr.ow." remarked Ar chie, weighing the point judiciously. I suppose you get used to it in time. Your father seems very gentle. You probably exaggerate the number of his er homicides. "Well, pop can be pretty rough some times. He and I have our little troubles. ' "Nothing serious, I'm sure. I can't imagine any one being unkind to you, Sally. It's nice of you to say that. But I'm not fei-fcct and I don't pretend to be!" Sympathy and tenderness surged within him at this absurd suggestion that anvme ;ould harbor a doubt of Sally's perfectfon. Her modesty, the tone of her voice called for some more cencrete expression of his un derstanding than he could put into words. Her hand, dimly discernible in the dusk of the June stars, was invitingly near. He clasped and held it, warm and yielding. She d;ew it away in a moment but not rebukingly. "I wonder, she said presently; "I wonder whether you would whether you really would do something fcr me?" "Anything in my power," he de clared hoarsely. What time is it?" she asked with a jarring return to practical things. She bent her head close as he held a match to his watch. It as haif pos't eight. "We'll have to hurry, she said. "When I told you pop and I didn't always agree ubout everything I was thinking- -'' "Is it about a man?" hu u.-ked, sur mising the worst and steeling himself for the blow if it must fall. "It would be a long story," she r.aid adly, "and there isn't time to tell it, but the moment I saw you were so big and brave und strong, I thought you might, help." To be called big and brave and -itrong by- so charming a person, to enjoy her confidence and be ner chosen aid in an hour of need and perplexity profoundly touched him. 'I wouldn't trust the Governor, he's too friendly with pop for that. It's just this way." she went on dreamily. 'There's a young man, Abijah Strong, who owns a farm just a little way lown the road. He and I have been m love with each other ever since we went to school together, really and truly loveis. IK' was at college when I was, so I know him very well. But pop doesn't like him, and when he found how matters stood he refused to allow me to see him any. more. And he's been very hard about it. We've been waiting for a chance to run away and get married. I met him last night in the lane and every thing's arranged for us to leave to night, run into Brattleboro and be married there and then go on to Bos ton nd wait till pop's disposed to be reasonable. He wants me to marry a preacher at Saxby Center who's al most as old as pop, and has three grown children. I thought maybe yoti could pretend to take me out for a little ride in your car, and pick up Abijah and give us a lift. My things are all packed and hid away in the garage; so all I need to do is to get my hat," "Of course I couldn't come back hore," Archie suggested. "Your lather would be sure to vent his wrath on me." "Oh, I'd thought of that!" she ex claimed. "But you could go on and wait somewhere for the Governor to catch up with you." "I'd have to make sure he didn't catch up with me! He'd be mighty sore about this." "Well, if you're afraid of him " "Pooh I I certainly am not afraid of him," he declared contemptuously. "He and I were bound to part some time." Through the cajoleries of a .girl he had known only a few hours he was ready to break with his comrade by nnschieviously upsetting the domes tic affairs of a host who doubtless hud not forgotten how to kill men who Incurred his displeasure. Sally hpd affected him like a strong cordial and as they walked to the house he grow increasingly keen for hte pro posed adventure. Sally, like Isabel, hud dared him to be brave, and he screwed his courage to the sticking point. "If you don't mind I'll take Sally for a little run down the road," he suggested casually when they found the Governor and Mrs. Walker still gossiping on the vernada. No objection was raised by Mrs. Walker beyond an injunction not to be gone long and a warning not to go without her jacket. "No joy riding," the Governor call ed after them. "Sally's a valuable asset of this family and I'll hold you personally responsible, Comly, for her safe return." Ill At the garage Sally produced a sat chel which Archie tossed into the car, and they were quickly humming thru the lane and into the highway. "Run by the school hous when we come to it and then stop. Abijah wili be there." When the car stopped Sally jumped out and was immediately joined by a young man to whom she spoke rap idly out of Archie's hearing. Her ex planations finished she brought him to the car and presented him as Mr. Strong. "Mr. Comly is going to the minis ter's with us and then give us a lift toward Boston. That's ever so much better than anything we'd thought of, Bijah!" "Whatever you say, little girl! ill shut off the lights on my machine and get my traps." Archie, testing his searchlight, let its beam fall upon Abijah as though by accident and found Sally's lover very well-dressed decent-looking fellow. All his life he would be proud of his daring in saving Sally Walker from marriage with the odi ous minister and mating her with the youth of his choice. The bride and groom elect were established in the back seat and he experienced a sharp jealous twinge, when, turning to ask her a question about ihe road, he caught them in a rapturous kiss. This was what it meant to be young and free, and youth and freedom were things he had never until now ap praised at their true worth. "How long do we stop at Brattle boro?" he asked over his shoulder. Only long enough to get the knot tied," Abijah answered. "I was . in town this afternoon and everythin's set." 'I hope," said Sally, "you'll give the bride away; jt would be just fine of you, Mr. Comly." I was hoping you'd ask me," he flung back. "I want to be as prom inent in the wedding party as possi ble." I Sally's nuptials were blest in a lit tle parsonage, with the minister's wife and daughter and Archie as the sole witnesses. The minister had only lately come to town and there fore confined his inquiries to the trict requirements of ecclesiastical and Vermont law. Well, Sally," Archie remarked, as he joined them, "for better or worse you are married. I cetainly wish you :ill good luck. s "We'll be back in a week and every thing will be smooth as butter," Sally declared lightly. The wedding journey from Brattle boro to Bennington was marred by tire trouble and freakiness on the part of the engine and as neither of his passengers knew the road Archie's good nature was severely tested by the exigencies of the night drive. Abijah helped with the tires but only stared helplessly while Archie poked st the engine. Sally was far more resourceful and leht her assist ance with her usual good cheer, a cheer which Archie felt he would miss when he bade them good-bye at Bennington. As a mark of special favor she moved to the front seat to keep him company and facilitate the tudy of sign posts. "I've put you to an awful lot of trouble," Sally remarked with real contrition. "And you've left your friend the Governor far behind. I suppose they started out to look for us in pop's machine when we didn't show up and they may be close be hind us now. The only thing I'm sorry about is missing hearing pop swear when he found I had skipped. It would be funny if they thought I'd run off with you, wouldn't it! I'd just love that!" "I don't think It's so funny you didn't," Archie answered. "I think it wus my mistake!" The groom had drawn up his knees and was attempting to sleep on the back sent. It was quite improper to flirt with the newest of brides, but Sally gnve tolerant ear and even en couraged Archie's protestations of admiration while Abijah bumped about in the tonneau and then rolled off the sent when the enraptured driver negotiated a sharp turn. But for Sally's disposition to make the most of her last hours with him the drive would have bored Archie ex ceedingly. Sally and Abijah were eager to leave Bennington as soon as possible. "Don't think we're not appreciat ing what you've done for us," said Abijah, "but Sally and I had better shake you and that machine right here. Sally's folks'!! be sure to be after us and they'll just about argue we came this way." Archie laid to his soul the flatter ing unction that Abijah was jealous. Justification, of this suspicion was supported by the bridegroom's sud den anxiety to depart out of Vermont with the utmost expedition, Archie had every intention of ordering ns gorgeous a breakfast as Bennington's best hotel could provide but. Abijah promptly vetoed this suggestion, and they ate at a lunch counter, which Archie found a most disagreeable proceeding. Abijah left Sally and Archie eating scrambled eggs while he set forth to acquire information ebout trains. He returned while they were still at the counter to report that a train was almost immediately available. Hit haste annoyed Archie, who hated being hurried at his meals, At the station Abijah hung about the baggage room, where he had no busi ness whatever, as though trying to create the impression that he was traveling alone. When the train came along he climbed into the smok er with his own bag, leaving Archie to assist Sally into the chair car. "Abijah's just a little afraid pop might have telephoned, you know, or be coming after us. He'll move in here when the train starts." "I don't like to leave you like this," said Archie mournfully. "Oh, it will be all right," Sally an swered bravely. "Abijah's nervous; that's all. That was certainly some ride we had last night. I hope you'll go up tc the hotel now and get a good sleep." "Oh, I'll look out for that," Archie replied. "I suppose we'll hardly meet again," he said with a dejection which he hoped would elicit a promise of fur ther meetings. "I'm afraid it will be a long, long time before I see you," she said with a lingering tenderness and wistful ness. "I hope you're going to be very happy, Sally. And I shall think of vou always as you were last night. I shall never forget our talk by the trook." "Neither shall I," she murmured. Tier lashes were worderful; not till that moment had he done justice to her lashes. Belated passengers were now brushing past them in the aisle. The conductor, walking briskly along the platform, shouted all aboard with heartless finality. It seemed like the voice of doom to Archie. "Good-bye, Sally!" He put out his hand, but with a quickness that took his breath away she flung her arms round his neck and kissed him. The touch of her hand by the brook under the stars was as nothing to this. Two young girls seeking seats giggled at the frankness and heartiness of the salu tation. In old times Archie would have perished of humiliation; but an overwhelming joy filled his soul. The giggles of bread-and-butter misses who knew nothing of life and love were beneath his notice. Sally's arms were still about his neck, her lips were parted expectantly. "You must go, honey," she whis pered and his kiss fell like a punc tuation upon her last delectable word. If she hadn't given him a gentle push toward the door he might never have reached the vestibule. Another person who shared his haste to leave the train materially assisted him by gentle pressure to the platform. His brain whirled from the intoxication cf Sally's kiss indeed the two (EljrtBtmaH 0t0fi ft 14 i WE ARE PREPARED TO SUPPLY YOUR CHRISTMAS NEEDS. How about the family group you have al ways wanted taken? Or the pictures of the baby or the growing children? Have them taken now. Your relatives and friends prize your photo more than anything else, and remember, "your friends can buy anything they want except your photograph." We also have distinctive hand decorated articles, ideal for Christmas gifts. Bogg's Photo-Art McMurdoBldg. StlldlO Main Street Heppner, Oregon kisses, or specifically th kiss received and the kiss returned. But his exal tation was of brief duration, for there beside him stood Isabel like an ac cusing angel, severe and implacable. It was she whose gentle impulsion had facilitated his exit from the par lor car, and beyond question she had witnessed the kissing, a disagreable circumstance that fell smotheringly upon his ecstatic mood. Continued next week. Staying Put Guest "I seem to know your face. Must have met you here before, I guess." Other "I wouldn't be surprised. This is my house." A Bit of Foxing Actor "And the audience, my boy, were glued to their seats until the show was over." Critic "That certainly was a neat way of keeping them there." We've Seen 'Em Salesman "That, sir, is a suit you would never wear out." Customer "No; not without being laughed at." This Way Out, Please "When I proposed to Janet, she laughed at me." "She's a silly child. She laughs at the most stupid things." Get Out the Almanac Beautiful residences for rent on Main street. Five blocks from the Everglades. Apply at Real Estate of fice any time during low tide. Ye Modern Fable "Isn't there some fable about the ass disguising himself with a lion skin?" "Yes, but now the colleges do the trick with a sheepskin." You rath Worry We recently were reminded that there was a time during the winter season that sauerkraut, many gallons of which were put up in the fall, was about the only thing in the line of "green stuff" that graced the family table. "Green stuff " needed for balanced rations, remedy for scurvy, the dreaded disease of Alaskan gold rush days may now be had in cans, just as health building and fresh and just as good. So, as the season for fresh vegetables shortens, you needn't worry; we have a bountiful sup ply ready at all times for the asking, and it costs no more. 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