The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-09
"Good dog-poor game" ,nurmured

"Good dog-poor game" murmured
Castle with an approving nod. He had
recovered from the momcntary shock,
md recognizing the dogs prisoner, Ed
ward Evcrton, II person for whom lie
cherished strong dislike, he coolly
brought out his pocket knife, and OPEN
ing the blade with his teeth, began to
cut away his coat sleeve.
"Say, Castle, call off your brute or
III shoot him." cried Everton angrily.
Nonsense. If you attempt it he will
kill you. unless I interfere, and hardly
think will. Don't do it, my friend,
that dog is less animal than you are,
and knows more.''
BY this time, large number of the
guests of tho hotel approached, and
surrounding the strange group, clam
orcd loudly for an explanation.
'Ihis fellow shot me and my dog
sheriff has arrested him. Interesting,
isn't lt?' Fred replied laconically, as he
ran his knife blade down u seam.
you are mistaken" said Everton,
with curl of his deficient lip, and q
triumphant look. Fannie Elwood shot
you through carelcssness. She aimed
ut squirrel over your head"
Fannie Elwood!' muttered Castle,
in dazed manner, letting his knife fall.
He slowly drew the sleeve from his arm,
and friend adjusted a handkerchief
above the wound; while Castle unmind-
full of the pain stared vacantly at the
seemingly prophetic cloud in the west.
Come, Castle, call off this animal,
his teeth are entering my flesh," Ever
ton implorcd. now thoroughly fright
ened.
''Indecd? l am sorry-for the dog.
Come. Prince. you are disgracing your
| self"
As Everton, released, walked away
with an evil smile on his sinister face,
and other parties arrived upon the
scene, and pretty brunette with terror
| stricken face. pressed through the
crowd to Castles side, exclaiming:
'Oh, Fred, you are badly hurt?
did not mean to do it, indeed i"
Twill You kindly excuse me while
look for physician?" he said simply,
and with the air of a courtier, he lifted
his jaunty hat, and lounged away, lcav-
ing her standing there transfixed with
establishment, surrounded by circle of
surprised and wondering faces.
He walked leisurely to tho hotel and
hunted up the resident physician, whom
he found in the act of consigning tree
toad to large bottle.
''Why, bless my soul, Castle, how I'M
fortunate! Shot in the arm? Come,
let me fix it up at once. Shot by
woman, did you say?" and dropping
toad and bottle to the utter demorali-
cation of both. The good old
doctor hustled about and placed largo
chair near the window for his patient.
Eyes. Funny, isn't it," said Castle.
"Women usually use deadlicr weapon
than revolver"
His arm was found to be shattered
between the elbow and the wrist. A
serious injury and IN ugly wound, but
after extracting the ball, the old doctor
said chcerfully as he prepared the
bandages:
Now, my boy. take it easy, avoid
excitement and your arm will be all
right in few weeks. What you need
is rest. Take my advice and stick to
your room for few days, or nights, at
least"
Cant do it. can we, Prince? We
have promised to furnish amusement at
the party tonight, and we shall GER
tainly be there, regardless of every
thing" His manner was light enough
when he said this, but there was a
strange look in his eyes, and his face
was cloudcd for an instant.
''You are without exception, the cool
est and most Indifferent fellow ever
met. You must have been reared on an
iceberg. Castle" said one of an admiring
circle of friends, few moments after
ward.
''Timc was, my boy, when I was as
foolish as the rest. Excitalle, nervous,
hasty and sensitive, but l had good
teachers in the school of Indifference.
l was an apt scholor, had some splendid
lessons and graduated with high hon
ors."
He looked curiously at Fanny Elwood,
who was walking slowly by. She
heard him and her swift glance caught
his eye. He bowed coldly-a deep
flush crimsoncd her cheek, and she
quickened her pace; while he holding
carelessly to his companions, entered
the telegraph office and wired the news
OF hrs accident to his employer. There
was no one else cared to notify.
"Confound the luck!" he muttercd
dolefully, "laid up with a wounded arm
at the end Of my vacation. Additional
misery and Inconvenience at woman $
hands. wonder what Ligget will say
when he gets my message. What fun
the boys in the office will have over it. -
Two hours later, he with his arm i'm
prisoned in splints and swathcd in
linen, was moving slowly through the
crowded parlors of the hotel, threading
his way from group to group, always
carefully avoiding the Elwools; trille
pale. but otherwise it seemed not at all
discomposcd by the accident. The same
. old Fred. bowling in appreciation OF
condolences and hopes for his speedy
recovery; smiling on this belle and that
exchanging repartee and returning
sharp sallies; even submitting graceful
ly when they led him to the piano and
babe him sing. He whispered a WORD
or two to his accompanies, who selected
piece of music and played soft har
monious prelude. He sang an old song
Hooking Back" and what his voice
lacked in cultivation was offset by clear