The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-04-17

We're cast upon his tale! Was it worth
while thus endangering his growing
frlendl1ness with the Archers? That
evening stroll with Muriel still doomed
as a possibility; the restoration Of the
ring might bring 1t off, or, on the other
hand, it might make her hopelessly dis
tant to him,
The ring must be sent back at once,
but 1t was desirable to choose a more
roundabout means.
Turning the matter over In his mind,
noticed the bathing a who
had let them the machine in the morn
He was busy laying down towels
to dry, and securing them to beach with
the biggest stones he could find. A
bright idea struck Haslam. Jumping
to his feet, he strol!ed in the mans di-
rection.
Good afternoon"
Afternoon, sir!"
eh?"
No, sir. gents always choose the
mornin' for bathin'."
The man had an honest enough face.
and was fortunately not too intelli-
gent.
Il say, you remember that old gem
tleman who lost a ring this morning.
Not found it ret, l suppose?"
Not yet, sir" 3
well hSSsl, Sii. "A Deduly, lSnC
it? I wish I'd hat sort o. luck in
findin' things" 4
Haslam twisted the ring meditative-
ly between his fingers.
You should have found it really, my
man, and / don't mind doing you a
good Urn. Half a crown or five bob
means something to you, I know. He's
a rich old gent, n would like to pay
something to get that ring back. You
frnf ~ with. tt IJose- rtorz~s-~ - 49,.
Melville. A dozen new towels We
come amiss, will they?"
The man was profuse in his thanks,
and evidently thought the arrangement
entirely disinterested.
That's very good of you, sir. I'll go
at once
NO need to mention anything about
me. If he asks anything, just say
something about it's being picked up on
the beach,"
I'm game for that, sir. Thank you
again!'
Haslam watched the man don his
coat and reach the esplanade. Then he
strolled back to his seat, and with an
absolutely contented mind lit a fresh
cigaret.
That evening Haslam obeyed the
summons of the dinner gong with un-
usual anticipation. He was confident
AANI l lldQ ClilGl ecu dllSldClOIlly 1IOIQ
a rather awkward affair. The Arch
ers would be jubilant over the recov-
cry Of the ring. He would, of course,
show proper surprise at the strange
story and express congratulations in
felicitious terms. 1t would not be his
fault If he did not bask that night in
the sunshine OF Muriel's favor.
Directly, however, Haslam entered
the dining room and took his accus-
tr1H,nI Snnt= he 1no~ ,,,o ,,yo ~ 80 - -
annoying circumstance. The Archers
had been shifted to the other table, with
their backs toward him. Doubtless. the
boarding house management was re-
sponsible for his capricfous shunting,
and a word In the managers ear would
put matters right again by the next
meal. Haslam turned his attention to
he courses, making amends in that
wa for the absence Of his friendly
neighbors.
After inner he spied Mr.. Archer's
broad back occupying a basket-chair on
the veranda: he strolled UP casually,
and tapped him on the shoulder.
Il missed you and your daughter at
dinner Beastly bad manners of those
boarding house people showing you over
there among strangers!"
The change was effected by my or
ders, sir"
LIZ 1SA lSt GU "a S1Al MISUNDERSTANDING
The tone of the voice was s%tudiously
polite.
"Ah, I see. the draught! They are too
fond Of keeping all the windows open.
Think I shall get them to move me as
WE'LL"
I'm sorry to have to speak so plain
ly, Mr.. Haslam, but the object in our
alteration of table was to put a dis
tance between yourself and. US"
Had Haslam possibly heard Alright?
His eyebrows vent up, his mouth
dropped. He was quite speechless
with surprise.
you are, Of course aware or the
grounds we had for wishing a separa-
tion?" continued Ebenezer Archer,
Il assure you-no!'i
"a little incident that occurred today
made it desirable"
Haslam cudgeled his brains In vain.
Il don't know in the least to what
you refer"
"Ah, you have forgotten that affair
of the ring"
man, through very d~enseness, bungled
In his story? Or, had he, disappointed
In receiving no reward erich men are
usually the meanest), deliberately con-
fessed to the real facts Of the case?
But whatever had happened, Haslam
determined to carry off matters with q
high hand.
Good gracious, Mr.. Archer, you
don't suspect me Of having stolen it,
do you?"
Ebenezer Archer's reply was per-
plexing-he broke into a loud and pro-
tracted laugh.
Haslam glared at him. BY luck they
were the only persons out on the YER
anda, but it was perfectly CALLING to
be laughed at even alone in such a
fashion.
81 cannot see any humor in the at
fair, Mr.. Archer"
Forgive me! / have a very strong
sense of the ridiculous. No, you didn't
steal my ring, but you found 1t in your
pocket, and not wishing to come under
suspicion employed "a third party to re.
turn it to me, didn't you?"
Mr.. Archer, 1 decline to-
ooh, there's no occasion! How you
must admire my powers of clairvoy-
ance. But it's all as simple as A, b, G,
My daughter and myself wished to
make up our minds about you. You
showed yourself SO persistent in your
attentions to Muriel that, as her father.
| wanted to know something OF your
character. l decided to adopt a little
ruse to put OF to the test. We
bathp0 toprnthar this roor,ip,r ~