Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-05-18

the QrOnlng or Mrs. MolVlloS voice,
then a pause. She commenced and
voice rising little higher at the last.
But Sing was worshiping the god Of
silence.
After the third venture, Mrs. Melville
came reluctantly out and resumed her
seat.
.'Wen?''
''Well, | told him"
Eyes, we heard you. But what did he
dog
He didn't do anything much. He
just didn't answer"
did he turn his back on you?'
s'Well-yes."
I'm short, he didn't pay any attention
to you?'
Melville took biscuit and passed the
plate on to Richie.
''What the dickens is one going to do
about it?' he asked of the opposite WALL
IF we were only nearer some town OF
the railroad, we might get some one else.
But if we let Sing go it may be months
before we can get anybody else. I
wouldn't mind cooking for you and Mr..
Richie so much. though it's pretty hard
work, but | actually can't get up a din
ner for the inspectOr-general and his
staff and serve the dinner, too"
A pan went clashing and gathering
along the kitchen floor. Mrs Melville
sighed, Melville grew fiercer and Richie
devoted himself to the mackerel. The
SCATTERING of china dish broke the still.
ness.
That's SIX" breathed Mrs. Melville.
This time Melville bit his under lip as
he put his napkin on the table beside his
plate and pushed away his chair.
ooh, Austin, you'd better not co. ven
tured his wife, mildly.
III q made no answer b1lf strobe To the
door and passed through. Richie re-
sumed the salt scraping, and Mrs. Mel
vile grasped both arms of her chair and
held her breath.
At first there was only the rolling Of
Melville's deep voice. then the sound of
a sudden scufHe Mrs. Melville gave a
smothered scream and started up. 'Sit
down." commanded Richie, pushing
back his own chair, but keeping his seat.
Mrs. Melville sat down. There was only
momentary scraping of boots and Chi
nese slippers in the Kitchen then series
of thumps down the back steps and the
scratching of gravel, also low, broken
murmur from the yard.
II guess" remarked Richie, calmly,
that I'll go and see who's underneath =
Mrs Melville did not attempt to move
again. but she watched the second lieu
tenant anxiously. He strolled to the
window and stood there, one hand in his
trousers pocket, the other stroking the
mustachios.
sWell?' ventured the young woman,
finally.
Richie turned around and came back
to his chair
he said he would breaking Sings
head"
Weak cries like those of little child
came up from the back yard.
rs that Sing?" asked the lady of the
house.
1T doesn't sound much like Melville"
At the end Of a couple Of minutes,
Melville went past the window and III at
the side door, and little later he came
into the dining room by the front en-
trance and resumed his seat. The shut
f1e of Sings slippers could be heard in
the kitchen. The adjutant, despite his
smoothed hair and newly brushed coat,
looked so ruffied as to temper that his
wife wisely refrained from speech.
Ritchie was bolder
Has the police party got to come
around and pick up the pieces?"
NO; guess he's whole"
rs he little more reasonable"
''Oh, he's doing the lamb act now"
Tell us about it, AUSTIN begged Mrs.
Melville.
Il just old him he'd got to stop his
- nonsense and behave himself. Of
course didn't want to say anything ugly
to make him madden He muttered that
he'd go, or something like that, and he
flung the dish-towel in my face. [ was a
little riled at that, but | don't think I'd
if [ hadn't remembered the dinner. /
knew he had to be pounded into staying.
So pounded. That's all.
Mrs. Melville flew into the sitting room
few hours later.
Austin, he's vamoosedw
Melville stood up, put down his news
paper, and knocked the ashes from his
cigar.
I'll get him back" he said.
''How?"
"Send detachment out for him and
bring him back"
SO Mrs. Melville watched and waited
for half an hour, and at the end of that
time heard the shuttle of feet, and the
tramping of boots on the porch. Sing
glided into the room, followed by his
master. There was a guard at the door,
Here he is. Try the force of gentle
persuasion, Matty.''
Mrs. Melville was a coaxing little
body; she could have moved anyone but
Chinaman. Sing remained obdurate.
mo-" he grunted, "me no come back"
Just to get dinner, Sing; you can go
afterward."
ssNo.o
She looked appealingly at her husband.
.'Then you won't come back and get
dinner, tonight Sing?' asked Melville.
"No."
"Guard, take this man and put him to
chopping wood in the sun"
1t was rather a stretch of official and
military authority, but even the com
handing officer, who was to dine with
the general, realized the urgency of the
case.
An hour of housekeeping under guard,
under all the untamed glory of an Ari-
IONA sun, brought Sing into subsection.
He appeared downcast, perspiring, gasp
ing and penitent, at the door of Melville's
quarters
'Missa Melville. Me wantee slee Mis-
Melville"
mo; you can't see her; she's lying
down."
Me telle Mis- Melville me come back"
''She no want you back, Sing"
'Oh! you go telle.'
"All right; ! go telle her. She no
Melville disappeared and brought back
his wife. Her face was contorted into
an unrelenting frown.
''Well, Sing?" she demanded, severely.
.'Mis' Melville, me come back"