Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-01-07

~ O. "a S1H
if there's a spare bed about I'd rather
not face the night air just yet"
There was an easy in his
tone which surprised me. Still !
thought after taking the trouble TO
save a mans life it might look un-
gracious to refuse him a nights hospi
tally.
We'll, | suppose We can manage you
a shake down somewhere If you're not
overparticular, l replied.
Thanks" he answered more hum
bly,. Pardon me, but you saved my
life. you know. Will you consider me
too curious if I ask what you are going
to do with itF
l looked at the nan in doubt as to
whether he was in earnest. But his
face was as serious az his words.
Don't talk NONSENSE" I retorted
warmly.
My dear sir. | never felt less inclin.
ed 10 do 50 than now. Life is a gift.
Wen. ungrateful though you may think
me. / grew tired of mine and threw il
away. Tor some reason, which as yet
is not wholly obvious 10 me, IL pleased
you 10 pick up that which / discarded.
And so ask what are you going TO do
with itF'
TIL position was becoming ludicrous.
Come" l said, laughing in a forced
way, "a Joke can be carried too far"
Il give you my word" he answered
with perfect seriousness, Il had and
have no intention 10 treat the matter
as a joke. Why should IT.
a cold perspiration broke out owe
me. Why should he, indeedl Clearly
he gained everything by a transference
of his identity to me. But was /, be
cause in a weak moment I had gone TO
his assistance, TO be burdened through
life with the care OF himi
You know" l remarked, Il needn't
have pulled yout out unless | had
liked"
Exactly my argument, " he returned.
"a a doesn't risk his life TO gain a
thing unless he has some object in view
regarding it presume you had in
this casef"
Great h~eavensl" l cried. have you
no sense of humanity Can't you
imagine that l saved your life to give
it back TO your"
But | didn't want it back" he re-
piled coolly. 1T was TO be rid of it
that / walked of the pier"
| stared in blank amazement. What
was to answer? Logically, all lie said
vas perfectly just, but it vas mon
strous that / should be forced into such
a situation Suddenly a brilliant idea
struck me.
We'll, | said. If your life belongs
to NEE
As it does" he interrupted.
II "a do with it what l pleaseT'
His face fell.
Yes" he replied. that's quite
true"
80 that if l wish l can toss you into
the water again and you will have no
right TO complain"
You have stated the case with the
utmost c~leaTness and precision. he an
swered.
The fellows GOODNESS staggered me.
and | was silent. ! felt that at all
hazards ] nus rid myself of his pres
ence, were it but for the night, in order
to think the matter over quietly. Surely
| should find some way out OF the diff
Guilty.
You had better go TO bed | said
shortly.
As you please sir" he answered;
but did ! understand thar you wished
me 70 finish the bottle,'
Take it with you and be hangedr' I
cried.
Then. violently ringing the bell, !
babe the servant Snow the gentleman TO
his room. and witL C. sense Of relief saw
him depart. the bottle under his arm.
Next morning ] rose late, feeling un-
refreshed ard irritable Nor was my
mental condition rendered more equa-
bic on finding my self imposed guest al
ready seated ut the breakfast table.
Good morning. sir. he said. as | en-
tered
Good morning" | replied, sulkily,
thinking that If homicide was justifiable
It was so now.
We began breakfast together, and
again the stranger made manifest his
powers Of absorption. Nothing came
amiss to him-eggs. bacon, fish-aIl
disappeared down his eapacious throat
/ noticed hat he still wore my clothes,
and when we had finished / said:
Don't you think. my dear sir, you
had better resume your own thingsP'
Just as you please, " he answered,
and al ones rose and left the room.
When he returned ! nerved myself
for another attack.
Il think il we'll" l remarked, that
we should understand each other once
for all. Let me tell you that l am re
solved not TO submit longer to your