The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1886-01-30

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TIE Boombshcll
CHAPTER !.
It was considerably after midnight when
one Ct three officers seated at whist table
in the nessroom of the Cavalry Barracks a.
Id)em inster. where tie Scarlet Lane RS were
chartered, called CUT "Bootles, come and
take hand-there's good chop
Cart. Algerncn Ferrers, more commonly
known os "Bootles," looked IN.
II dent mind il I d." be said, rising and
MOVING towards Them "What do you want
me to doa Who's my partner"
The three other men stared at one another
in surprise, for Bootle, was one OF the best
whist players in the regiment and In an
ordinary way would as soon have thought OF
counting honors as of settling the question
Of partners other than by cutting, except in
the case Of a revenge.
"Why, take a card, of course, my friend"
laughed Lacy, in a ridiculously soft voice.
Lacy was a recent importation from the
White Dragons, and had taken possession
day life by Scott Laurie's marriage.
'.Ah, YES; to be sure-cut, Of course. !
believe" said Bottles, looking at the three
faces teforc him In an uncertain way-'I
believe I've got headache"
''Oh, nothing like whist for a headache"
answered Hartor, turning up the last card.
..Ace Of diamonds" However, after Stun
bling through one game-after twice trump
ipc bis partner trick, a revoke, and sew
crol such like blunders-he rose to his feet.
.'It's no use you fellows; I'm no good to-
night can't even see the cards. Get some
one to take my place and mako fresh
start"
'sWhy, you're i'll, Bootle,,' cried Preston
''Whatis it,
tits devil Of headache answered
BOTTLES promptly. Here's Miles-the very
man. Good night"
"Gcod night" called the fellows after him.
Then they settled down to their game, and
Preston dealt.
''Never saw Bottles seedy BEFORE" said
Lacy.
''Oh, yes; he gets these headaches some
times,'' answered Hartos. "Not often,
though Miles, your lead"
Meantime Boobies went YEARLY away, al.
most feeling his road under the verarda OF
the mess rooms. along the broad pave il,
front OF the officers quarters, and up the
wide fii~ht CT stone steps to his rooms fac
ing the green of the tarrack square. Being
tn, senior captain, with only one bachelor
field otacer in the regiment, he had two
large and pleasant rooms, not very grandly
furnished, tor, though rich nlan, he was
not en- extravaganza one, and cav no fun
in having costly goods and chattels to be at
the uier mercies CT soldier servants; but
they were neat, clean and comfortable with
sllfflciency Of great easy travelling chairs,
plenty of FIJI: rugs and lots Of pretty little
pictures and knick-knacks.
The fire in his sitting-room was fast dy-
ing out, but bright and cheerful blaze il
luminel his sleeping-room, shining on the
brass knobs of his cot, on tho silver orna.
nlentations at the corners of his dressing
case, Oh three or four scent bottles ON the
tall, cretonne- petticoated toilet table, and
on tho tired but Respondent figure Of
Bottles himself.
He dragged the big chair pretty near t.,
tue fire, and dropped into it with sigh OF
relief, absolutely too sick and weary TO
think about getting into bed juss then. AS
Hartog lad said, sometimes these headaches
seized him, but it did not happen often; in
fact, he he'd not had one for more than a
year-quite often enough, he said
Well, he had teen lying in the big and
easy chair, his eyes shut and his hands hang.
ing idly over the broad straps which served
fer arms, for perhaps half al hour, when
to his surprise lie heard a soft, rustlin, move
ment behind him. His first enl not u.,-
natural thought was that the fa..ow; hat!
come to draw him, SC, without moving, he
called Out, ooh! confound it all, q MT come
boring u poor devil with nea / .c.le. BY
Jove, IFS cr3clty to animals, neither more
nor less
The soft rustling ceased, and Boctle, closed
his eyes aSain, with devout prayer tina,
they would, in re spouse to this appeal, tax;
Themselves; off. But presently it bega,
ugaiT, accompanied by a so,sa which lnsd'
his heart jump almost into his mouth, an;
beat so furiously as to be simply coating
mutte:eu Bottles.
But it was not tho devil! at all-more lik
IL littl, angel, in truth; for after moment
irresolutoA he sprang from his chair all,
faced the horror behind him. It really wa
horror to him, fer there, sttin:, UP anon
the pillows Ct the cot. with the clothe
pushed back, was a baby, baby who's
short golden curls sllone in the iirel:gnt-
little chlA dressed in whis,, with pair q
wide-open, wondering eyes, as bright q
stars and as blue as sapphires
Bottles stood in dismay staring at it.
where, in the name Of all that's wonder
full, did you come from!" he asked aloud
keeping at a safe distance lest it should SUD
denly start bowling.
But the little stranger did not howl; O
the contrary, as its bswildered eyes fell upo
Bottles Respondent figuSe. his gold la,c
scarlet jacket and gold embroidered waist
coat Of white velvet, his gold laced overall
and jingling spurs, it stretched out its littl
arms and cried, "Boo. boo, boo
Boobies took a step back in his surprise, al,
his headache vanished as if by magic.
'tBy-Jove!" he exclaimed
'.Boo-boo-boo!' crowed the usurper
the cot, cheerily.
Rcnk1ns want n CT ON ,,ooro~ k.VVi,, ~,~,,S,