The Oakdale Affair

The boy stuffed his loot back into his pockets and came closer to the fire. Its warmth felt most comfort- able, for the Spring night was growing chill. He looked about him at the motley company, some half-spruce in clothing that suggested a Kuppenmarx label and a not too far association with a tailor's goose, others in rags, all but one unshaven and all more or less dirty--for the open road is close to Nature, which is principally dirt.

"Shake hands with Dopey Charlie," said The Sky Pi- lot, whose age and corpulency appeared to stamp him with the hall mark of authority. The youth did as he was bid, smiling into the sullen, chalk-white face and taking the clammy hand extended toward him.