Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-03-21

ton, and it shall, so hard but I will
indeed protect him."
"GlL you know him. cried Nicksey;
"that's another matter"
And he moved his hand to the com.
pany. as much az to say:
BE seated, gentlemen"
And the gentlemen obeycd, and We're
seated accordingly.
I'VE are rather pertickler in this
house with whom we associates!'
And thu, turning toward Emmeline,
Nicksey continues:
Give lis your fist. ung'un-my
friends friend is my friend"
And he wrung Emlneline's hand so
hard that she, with difficulty, suppress
cd a shrek OF pain.
And then. looking ut Emmelines deli
cate hand as it lay in his own coarse
palm, Nicksey said, with laugh:
What a white little mauley. You
are a young chap as is like me in one
pcrtickler-never over fond of hard
work, l take it,
Emmeline hastily withdrew her hand.
Don't be afraid, young man," Nick
Sey shouted. You're friend of my
friend Darlington, and that's enough;
hhu y u HAVE Il S1l1lc VI luS OOWl
of punch am going to pay for"
mo, no, there's no Occasion!' began
Noel
think he bears malice" said NicEsey.
But Emmeline told him that she had
no thought of refusing, and Nichscy OK
pressed himself satisfied, and ordered
bowl of punch, desiring that it should
be all rum, and saying that he had been
concerned in a good job the night be-
fore, and had money in his pockets.
And again Selling Barrington's hand:
But for you" Nicksey said, Il should
not have been in London to get that
money. I don't forget that, as you'll
know when I'm rich"
Eyes, when that One Tree Square
business is settled" Darlington said
.meaningly.
"Hush!' cried Nicksey, i've mustn't
talk about that now
Noel and Emmeline exchanged sig
nificant glances, and the former whis-
pered, ''He is yet too sober, but will
speak presently
And then suggested to Nicksey that a
private room would be best where they
three friends as they were-might be
snug together.
Nicksey agreed to that. and led the
way to a small room, of which the at.
mosphere, reeking, with other fou:
odors, Of stale tobacco, was aImoss
poisonous.
Noel looked apprehensively towards.
Emme1ine. bat she appeared rndaunteC
by the horrors with which she was sur
rounded.
When the punch was brought Bar.
rington paid for it,
None Of that" cried Nicksey. you
are here at my invitation
Never mind" said Noel. "you can
return it to me when you have made
your fortune
Il have been waiting for it twenty
years" growied Nicksey. but I must
be paid yet. principal and Interest,"
Nicllsey drank freely of the punch
Ere the first bowl had been emptied
second had been ordered and brought.
Nicksey had no sooner finished his
glass than. each time, it was replon-
lsned Dy Emmeline, who equally filled
her own, but, at first, with some diff
Guilty but soon very easily, contrived
to throw the liquor beneath the table.
ana Nlcksey, who saw. as he be-
Heved. Emm line drinking glass for
glass with him. expressed his utmost
admiration, and gave it as his opinion
that his friend Barrington's friend was
q lad who would grow into man that
might be proud Of himself
After while Emmeline said. Let
us drink to your fortune, Mr.. Nicksey."
(Which must be something consider
r
lating for twenty years." added Noel.
Yes; ever since eighteen hundred
and seven" hiccoughed Nicksey.
Emmeline now again filled the mans
glass, and this time with a violently
trembling hand.
And, chuckling, "The boy is getting
drunk" cried Nicksey.
But whence will come the fortune
you are expecting?" asked Noel.
THAT is secret" was the reply.
(Which you know?' interposcd EN-
incline.
"And there are secrets worth mines
of gold" Shouted Nicksey
ESPECIALLY when they can make the
guilty trelnble," suggested Emmelinc
And Nicksey, growing more tipsy
every moment, muttcred, "The guilty,
Sco, Iuclc were tufce OIL Ileln.
Noel and Emmeline again glanced to-
wards each other.
But there is certain reason why
one OF them should not be counted!"
mumbled Nicksey.
'And that one was Nicholas Shear
man, whom the others had killed." was
the thought which occurred at the
same moment to both Noel and Emme-
line.
And then Nicksey. for moment
aroujng himself, said suddenly, "Neyer
mind-that's cnough-we'l talk no
more about it,"
What harm among friends?" urged
Noel
And YOU know that we are your
friends" insinuated Emmeline.
"1es, true!' and Nicksey rolled his
eyes from one to the other of them.
You are of the right sort; fear moth
ing"
Nothing" answered Darlington.
And Emmcline said, earnestly, LET
but the occasion arrive and | hope to
give YOU proof of that
Having again emptied his glass Nick.
yey said: