Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-01-10

NsthS ~ 49, 49,
wife,, and it was a revelation in the
art of bowling to behold the grace with
which the Irishman's arm was offered.
Colonel Hawtree took Nora, Maurice
D'Orville the c~olonel's daughter, Ira
vers Miss Cawston, and the doctor and
my clerical relative, who was beam
ing upon us with a churchly smile,
gave weight with dignity to the pro-
e~ession. the doctor scaling nearly six
teen stone, and Anguish assuming a
mien that would have done credit to
a bishop.
Uncle" said grace with the ut
most JUNCTION, as though his Church
training had been specially directed
10 that end Mrs. Cawston calculated
linen deftly arranged her serviette
and prepared for action in a matter-of-
fact way that plainly intimated, i've
come to enjoy my dinner. You peo-
pie may talk as much as you like" MI.
Courtney's decorum vanished with his
first few glasses of wine, and he help
ed the doctors daughter in a very
creditable attempt TO blow up the social
magazine.
IT was really afraid" said the young
lady, for the %edification of the com,
pany in general, that we were going
to sit down thirteen in number. That
would have been unlucky, wouldn't
it?"
'Unlucky, MISS" aid old Courtney.
Maybe you're not a cribbage-player,
or you'd remember the Ragged Thir-
teen count one more han twelve.
Now, IL you only wanted Thirteen to
win. wouldn't you think it lucky to
hold nat NUMBER"
What a curious name,'' said Miss
Cawston, 1.-The Ragged Thirteen!'"
I did not dare to loo at Nora or
Travers. but at the very moment
when the words that bore such a ter
rible significance for sc many of his
hearers fell from Mr.. Courtney's lips
i saw the quick glance that shot from
mother to son, and / had not the slight
est doubt that our guests numbered
one of the most dangerous criminals
In England.
But with this thought came the re-
fiection that it would require all our
cunning TO fasten his evil deeds upon
him in such a way that Justice would
be satisfied. At present our only ev-
dence against him was a hand, sup
posed to be identified by a model
made by himself, a scent procurable
by anybody, and a glance that might
have been meant to express any emo
tion whatever: and indeed D'Orville.
scarcely giving Miss Cawston time to
finish her remark, broke inwith:-
MY dear uncle, cribbage is a game
only played by the lower and middle
classes in England, and 1 dare venture
10 vas that no one here understands
Il but yourself"
"More's the pity, Maurice-more's
The pity. It's a beautiful game, mad
am this to Mrs. Cawston, who paid
little attention to his remarks. for her
IDEAS Of game were strictly confined
90 the cartridges that doomed ahead
Tn the menu) Its really elegant when
when you see 1t played. asst used to be
at the castle. with golden pegs and
an ivory board"
"Golden pegs?" the lady managed to
scho between her mouthfuls.
ITO be sure. ma'am. And why
wouldn't they. and they the owners
Of the soil as far as they could see
for miles around?" and Mr.. Courtney,
warming to his work as the wine slim
Mated his Imagination. converted the
castle into a palace and his ancestors
int Kings of Connaugh.
The colonel and Nora were getting
On beautifully. but Miss Cawston had
10 make her own running with Trav-
srs, n presently. giving him up in de-
spair. she talked to IN and every one
whose attention she could attract.
When the aides left US the wine
made no long tarrying at Courtney's
elbow. n 1 could see that Anguish
a helping him on his way to the
point at which his tongue might be
expected to wag freely.
And why is 1t, sir. If I may be so
rude as to ask the question: said An
suish, that you a descendant Of Prin-
,es. live in this out-of-the-way place?
You ought to be in the halls Of your
.athers."
Faith, you may we'll ask" was the
'eply. TIC be sure I ought to be there,
Mr.. Tremayne; but there's people"
"Uncle." said DOrville-- and IL looks
,ould have killed, he would have slain
Anguish-"uncle. isn't it rather bad
'orm to wash your soiled linen in pub
ic?"
N oiC Oh ohS
you talking about?" said Courtney.
and 1t was evident hat the wine was
getting the better of his discretion.
'Soiled linen! If I had split some wine
IN it-and 1 s your pardon. Mr..
rremanyne. for wasting good liquor
mre. / gave seven-and-six for this
,ame shirt. and IL you can show one
" purer linen. seven-and-six is yours.
ny son." And even Travers Joined In
he laugh that ran around the table.
n spite Of the black looks Of Dor
lille.
And then Mr.. Courtney went on with
rtcries and "reminiscences. while An
.uqish egged him on, and Col. Haw-
rec smoked in silence and stared at
lin from time to time as though he
we're some strange animal.
Very amusing fellow. your friend"
aid the colonel. as we made our way
o the drawing room; and certainly
Courtney did his best TO keep up his
equation when he Joined the ladies.
He took his coffee with the air Of a
ord; related his adventures when he
vent ION tour and brought home
ONE of the raj m~ocha"--no less
rom Arabia. told NrS no uyStrp the