The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-09-28

little. But my mysterious companion
took the matter out Of my hands.
.sLook yar,r he said, suddenly, "thar
amt but one place twixt yer and Indian
Spring where We can stop, and that's
Sylvester's.n
1 assented, little sullenly.
SWELL" said the stranger, quietly,
and with slight suggestion Of confer
ring a favor on me, Ell you're pointed
for Sylvester's-why-I don't mind
stopping thar wi'h We. It's lite off
the road-I'll lose some time-but tax
ing II BY and large don't much mind"
] stated, as rapidly and as strongly rs
could, that my acquaintance with MIR.
Sylvester did not justify the Introduction
Of a stranger to his hospitality-that he
was unlike most of the people herein
short, that he was queer man, etc,
etc.
To my surprise my companion an
swered' so, that's all right. I've
heerd Of him. IF you don't feel like
checking me through, or II you'd rath-
er put g. o. D. on my back, why its
all the same to me. IN play it alone.
Only you Just count me in. Say Syl-
ycster al the time. That's MEL
What could l oppose 10 this mans
quiet assurance? felt myself growing
red with anger and nervous with en-
barrassment. What would the correct
Sylvester say to me? What would the
girls was young man then. and had
won an entree to their domestic circle
by my reserve--known by a less compli-
mentary adjective among the "boys y
what would they say to my new ac-
quaintance? Yet certainly could not
object to his assuming all risk on his
own personal recognizances, nor could
l resist certain feeling Of shame at my
embarrassment.
We were beginning to descend. In
the distance below us already twinklcd
the lights in the solitary rancho Of Lone
Valley. | turned to my companion.
" But you have forgotten that | don't
even know your name. What am 10
call youP''
"Thet's So" he said, musingly.
!" Now, let's see. Kearney' would be a
good name. It's short and easy like.
Thar's street in Frisco the same title.
hearncy II u.
"But-- began impatiently.
. Now, you leave all that to me-" he
interrupted, with a superb self-confi-
dence that | could not but admire "The
name amt no account. It's the man
that's responsible. IF / was to Law for
man that reckoned was named Jones,
and after / fetched him found out on
the inquest that his real name was Smith
that wouldn't make no matter, as
long as got the man.
The illustration, forcible as it was, did
not strike me as offering progresses
ing introduction, but we we're already
at the rancho. The barking of dogs
brought Sylvester to the door Of the
pretty little cottage which his taste had
adorned.
/ briefly introduced Mr.. Kearney
" Kearney will do--Kearney's good
enough for me,r commented the soi-di-
SAINT Kearney half aloud, to my own hor-
ror and Sylvester's evident mystifica-
ton, and then he blandly excused him.
self for moment that he might person.
ally supervise the care of his own beast.
When he was out Of ear shot, drew the
puzzled Sylvester aside.
II have picked up-I mean ! have
been picked up on the road by gentle
maniac, whose name Is not Kearney.
He is well armed and quotes Dickens.
With care, acquiescence in his views on
all subjects, and general submission to
his commands, he may be placated.
Doubtless the spectacle Of your helpless
family, the contemplation Of your
daughters beauty and innocence, may
touch his fine sense Of humor and
pathos. Meanwhile, Heaven help you.
and forgive me.'
ran up stairs 10 the little den that
my hospitable host had kept always re-
served for me in my wanderings. /
fingered some time over my ablutions,
hearing the langnid, gentlemanly drawl
Of Sylvester below mingled with the
equally cool, easy slang Of my mys-
FERROUS acquaintance. When | came
down to the sitting-room was sur
prised, however, to find the self-styied
Kearney quietly seated on the sofa, the
gentle May Sylvester, the Lily Of Lone
Valley" sitting with maidenly awe and
unaffected interest on one side Of him,
while on the other that arrant ilirt, her
cousin Kate, was practicing the pitiless
archery Of her eyes, with an excitement
that seemed almost real.
.Who is your dcliciously cool fricnd?'
she managed to whisper to me at sup
per as sat utterly dazed and bewilder-
ed between the enrapt May Sylvester,
who seemed to hang upon his words,
and this giddy girl Of the period, who
was employing the battery Of her charms
in active rivalry upon him. "Of course
we know his name isn't Kearney. But
how romantic! And isn't he perfectly
lovelyP And who is hep"
replied with severe irony that was
not aware what foreign potcntate was
then travelling incognito in the Sicrras Of
California, but that when his Royal
Higl'ness was pleased TO inform me,
should be glad to introduce him proper
lly. "Until them added, :. fear the
acquaintance must be Morganatic."
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