The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-04-17

courses, and there was one strong OBJ
lection to candor on this particular oc-
casion. Suppose the faintest doubt
were cast upon his tale! Was it worth
while thus endangering- his growing
friendliness with the Archers? That
evening stroll with Muriel still doomed
as a possibility; the restoration Of the
ring might bring it 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,
Haslam noticed the bathing man, who
had let them the machine in the morn
ing. He was busy laying down towels
to dry, and securing them to beach with
the biggest stones he could find. A
bright idea struck Haslan. Jumping
to his feet, he strolled in the mans d.
rection.
Good afternoon!"
Afternoon, Sir!"
mot much business after 1 o'clock,
eh?"
mo, 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 gen
tleman who lost a ring this morning.
Not found it ret, I suppose"
Not yet, sir"
well, I never, sir! A beauty, isn't
it? I wish I'd that sort O. luck in
findin' things"
Haslam twisted the ring meditative-
ly between his fingers.
You should have found it. really, my
man, n L don't mind doing you a
good turn. Half a crown or five bob
means something to you, 1 know. He's
a rich old gent, and would like to pay
something to get that ring back. You
trot up with it. He's stopping at the
Melville. A dozen new towels won't
come amiss, will they?"
The man was profuse in his thanks,
and evidently thought the rrangement
entirely disinterested.
That's very good of you, sir. I'll go
at once" ~,
mo 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 I'M
usual anticipation. He was confident
that he had emerged satisfactorily from
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 woul not be his
fault if he did not bask that night in
theesunshine of Mur!el's favor.
Directly, however, Haslam entered
the dining room and took his accus-
toned seat, he became aware Of a most
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 this capricious shunting,
and a word in the managers ear would
put matters right again by the next
meal. Haslam turned his attention to
the courses, making. amends in that
way for the absence of his friendly
neighbors.
After dinner 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 n your daughter at
dinner. Beastly bad manner of those
boarding house people showing you over
there among strangers!"
THE change was effected by my Or
- -,
Eiaslall Jared IN some astonlshment
me tone OF the voice was studlously
pollte.
All, I see. the draught! They are too
fond of keeping all the windows open.
Think | shall get them to nov me as
Well
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
lance betWeen yourself and us"
Had Haslam possibly heard Alright?
His eyebrchis went up, his mouth
dropped. He was quite s~peechless
with surprise.
you are, of course aware of the
grounds we had for wishing a separa-
tion?" continued Ebenezer Archer.
II assure you-no!"
"a little incident that occurred today
made it desirable s&E
Haslam cudgeled his brains in vain.
81 don't know in the least to what
you refer
"Ah, you have forgotten that affair
Of the ring"
The other started Had that ha+b;ng
man. hrough verv densenass b,1ngla5
in his story? Or. had he observation-disclosures
lin receiving no reward 3ricb men ara
1,sually the meanestS delihera +alw 80 a.
N' VII