Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-08-02
sTo what part of Montany?" demand

sTo what part of Montany?" demand
ed Jerry Skdder, gaining his feet and
approaching with nod OF salutat:on.
ITO Iewistown, Fergus County"
"Gcod, muttered Jerry "You will,
of course, go to Billings, and thence via
Ubet by stage?"
Wynans aSSented.
"Well, we go to Custer, which is Just
fifty-three miles this side of Billings,
sizing up his new acquaintance by
rapid glance; $50 why shouldn't We all
travel together?"
Thanks for the suggestion, sir" SAID
Wynans, handing Jerry a card he had
neatly written q few minutes before.
well travel In your company WITH
pleasure-and doubtless with profit.
"This is who they are, 'Dr. Dolliger
and sister," said Jerry, reading from
the card and then passing it to Daisy,
who had already shaken hands with
both Wynans and Ellie "Deiighted to
know you. We're jeremiah Skiddef
and daughter, of Musse' she |, Montany
Pm rancher and miner, Dr. Dolliger.
What are you?"
"Mercly mine owner" replied Wy
mans with a smile "We're going out
there to SEE what chance there is 10 Sc
cure certain lands and mines.
"Bravo! You have fal en- in with
the very man you wanted to
see, Doctor" assured Jerry, Of
ering his hand. "What dent
know about lands and mines in Montany
isn't worth knowing. We can talk buSi
ness on the way out, while the girls get
acquainted Capital! delighted"
A step on the stairs just without the
par.or gave Wynans a start Should
the newcomer prove to be Mrs. Long,
the landlady, she would address him by
name and so bctray his identity to the
Skidders. This must be prevented. He
stepped toward the door, but was re-
lieved to see that the footsteps he had
heard were those of guest ascending to
the next fOOr He faced about, taking
note of the time.
GAS matters stand, Mr.. Skidder," he
said, "we'll q go to the stat on together
But first we'll have q good dinner in
private parior, and start off on the
right basis.
The proposition was eagerly accepted.
"While we arc being served, Miss
Skdder," pursued Wynans, turning to
Taisy, "yOu will have time to make
few purchases, if such is your desire.
"You think so?" returned Daisy, with
almost childish delight
"You can have half an h ur, and that
will be amp'c," assured Wynans. "You
have only to go bl ok or two, and you'll
find all sorts of stores nv sister will
G with you, if YOU would ike her COM
pany."
The suggestion was gratefully ac-
copied, and the yong ladies vanished,
Jerry ire sing a large roll of bills into
his daught RS hands, with instructions
t. buy anything on earth" she wanted.
"Come up to my room, Mr.. Skidder,
and have glass of champa gne," then
invited Wynans at will give you an
appetite"
Jerry was nothing loath, and in another
minute he was making himself comfort
able in the private parlor OF his enter
tainer.
"Excuse me a moment" pursued Wy
mans, "and | will order our dinner as
we'll as a couple bottles of wine. | shall
merely step to the office"
He was gone scarcely three minutes,
but in this short interval he had taken
several measures calculated to preserve
his sc ret. settled his bill and that of the
Skidders, feed the walters, and even
taken leave of the landlady.
1--WE shall be served here in just tw,n-
ty-fve minutes, MIR. Skidder," he an
nounced as he came ba to the paror
"Meanwhile, I think you and can read
lily dispose of a glass of Cliluot to our
better acquaintance.
Jerry smi ed his approval, becoming
animated.
A waiter soon appeared with the wine,
uncOrking the bottle and serving the
first two glasses, and then vanished.
The heat and NeXatiOn of the day Lad
made Skidder very thirsty, and he was
outside of the largest half Of the cham
pagne almost before he knew it.
Then the couple talked until the re-
turn of Efe and Daisy-the latter fond
ling one or two choice purchases, and
followed by a porter who was loaded
with parcels.
"Well, you look as if you had had
good time, girls" said Skidder, assum'
luS Ilo luOoV SOuidl Ulls 40 'iO PNiVN'
vanished.
"You just bet we have" replied Daisy,
emphaticaly. "Oh, such place! We II
come hero again, pa, as soon as we've
attended to business at home, and stay
a whO'e week. "
"You almost need trunk for your
purchases. Daisy" said her father.
"No, pa, can stow away everything
in the two we've brought with us
everyth ng except that hat and cloak,
which are just too lovely for anything,
and which I'm going to wear"
swell, you must be prompt about it,"
suggested Jerry, the rattling of dishes
reaching his hearing from the stairway,
"for here comes our dinner"
We need not pause upon what fol-
lowed.
A sumptuous dinner was served the
quartet.e by the attentive walters, and
an hour passed to the Skidders like a
dream, so greatly were they pleased to
find themselves provided with such pleas
ant travelling companions
about time to be off, isn't it, friend
Dolliger?" at length asked Jerry Skid
der. who had become mellow with the
rich cheer thrust upon him.
~AlEeOst," replied Wynans, consulting