Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1902-10-29
oHAPrER II.-(continued.l

lnen lay II TO heart, SAID roster
cit is likely to be my lastl"
You're beginning to weary me with
your growls and threats"
"Growls, not threats Foster re-
piled never threaten in the sense
you mean"
And what is my idea of threats7"
"The same as most of your other
IDEAS
And what are they like?"
Like yourself, handsome and unre-
liable"
81 admit the first charge, because 1
cannot help it, l did not make my
self"
Nor IT, said Foster.
III you had-well, never mind that.
In what respect am unreliable?"
In every respect; ask the women
whom you know; ask the men you
profess to lead"
''Oh. am l really leader?"
"Ditson, Jones, Wild, and the rest
think So"
Do your"
Sometimes"
"Only sometimes?"
Look here, Dick, you have had ev-
cry penny we have made since June.
am hard up. We have both borrowed
from Isaacs; you have borrowed from
me-"
We'll. who put money into your
purse and enabled you to lend? l will
not ask you to reply l will admit a
certain laziness of late-a holiday, If
you like. but I will have no more of
your scunEy tempers. Andy, do you
hear?"
'I hear"
What the devil is the name of this
travelling bank of yours, this Midas
In disguise. this argosy on the high
way?"
"Bellingham." Foster answered in a
whisper
Tall, sinewy. with strong hands,
clean-cut jaw, iron-gray hair? He is
in the house"
HE came from the back and went
into the bar as Tom showed us up the
stairs
Dick Parker had many accomplish
ments and they gave him power as
the chief OF the enterprising company
of gentlemen. whose headquarters
were in the metropolis, and whose OPP
eraticls were on the merry English
highways.
He was gentleman by birth and
education. His family had come over
with the Conqueror One of his an
cestors had sat in the House of Lords,
but had lost title and estates for re-
bellious conduct. Another had been
hanged for piracy on the high seas.
On the other hand, there was Dish.
OPP in his family, and his sister had
married Spanish Don. He had a
wonderful faculty of observation, was
quick in resource, generous, fearless
and had never taken a life, except
once, in duel that was forced upon
him.
He had danced with the Duchess
whose party he had afterwards
stopped and robbed ON the way to
Bristol He had taken a big purse on
Blackheath and gone straight to the
swell taverns in st. James street upon
which the present aristocratic clubs
rest their foundations, and doubled IL
or lost it at cards, He had been the
most apparently timid of inside pas
eengers in the York coach, and at q
favorable moment made the rest OF
the passengers prisoners, while Foster
had ridden up and dominated guard
and driver with his pistols His es
capades and triumphs were themes OF
admiration at a shady hostelry with
in the sound of Bow bells, where a
few choice spirits. his friends and
companions, met as members of club
OF Merchant venturers.
Supper" said thick voice at the
door, after the owner of the voice had
struck the timber strong hard blow
necessary to make an impression upon
the ears of those within.
Right" said Foster.
do you feel better?" Dick asked.
II am hungry" Foster replied.
After supper I am going into that
little room, the bar parlor," said Dick
NO incivilities mind"
Let us go up to supper" Foster re
piled with no signs of better humor.
81 am not joking. Andy"
II understand. and l mean bust
ness"
It was capital supper. Old Nor
ley himself placed the first dish on the
table.
They supped in the general room
Which was furnished in old mahog
any. The sideboard was brilliant
enough in its polish for a looking
glass. There was a white cloth upon
It,. On the cloth there were two great
bowls of celery. Cheshire cheese, a
slrloin Of beef. a Yorkshire ham and