The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-02-02
SPUR

had his legs planted well apart. saw
his shoulders heave up and bend ms he
frightened the pressure OF his fingers; then
came a moments dead silence. then a
hideous gurgle. and the maHtin dropped
back. his hind legs trailing limp.
The bully held him so for n full min
ute. pcering close TO make sure he was
dead. and then without loosening his
hold. dragged him across the grass un.
der my window. and sent the carcass
with a heave over the wall. I heard
IL drop with a thud on the far side.
During this fierce wrestle the CHATTER
and shouting OF the company above had
gone on without a break: and all this
while the man with the white hair rested
quietly on one side. watching. But now
he steps up 10 where the bully stood
mopping his face and. with q finger be-
tween the leaves of his book. bows very
politely.
"You handled that dog. sir. choisely
WELL" says he. In a thin voice that seem
ed TO have a chuckle hidden In Il some
where. But sure" he went on. twas
hard on the poor cur. that had never
heard OF Captain Lucius Higgs-"
thought the bully would have had
him by the windpipe and pitched him
after the mastif. 30 fiercely he turn'd Mt
the sound OF this name. But the old gen.
tleman skipped back quite nimbly and
held up n finger.
"I'm a man Of peace. II another title
suits you better"
Where got you that nameT" growled
the bully. and had half n mind TO come
on again, but the other put In briskly:
"I'm on n plain errand OF business. No
need, rs you hint, 90 mention names: and
therefore let me present myself as Mr..
2"
MY name Is Luke Settle" said the
big man, hoarsely.
let US say Mr.. X I prefer IT,"
The old gentleman. as he said this.
popped his head on one side, laid the
~fcrehnger Of his right hand across the
book, and seemed to be considering.
why did you throttle that dog a min.
ute ngof' he asked. sharply.
why, TO save my skim" answers the
fellow. a bit puzzled.
would you have done IL for fifty
poundsT"
AYE, or half that"
And how IL Il had been a puppy,
Mr.. X"
Now. nil this from my hiding l heard
very clearly. for they stood right under
mi In the dusk. But as the old gentle
man paused to let hin question sink In.
and the bully to catch the drift OF Ii be-
fore answering. q OF the dicers above
struck up TO sing.
While this din continued. the stranger
held up one forcfnger again. as II be.
still between the pages OF his book.
Pretty boys!' he said. as the noise
died away: pretty boys! 'Tis easily
seen they have a bird to pluck"
Hes none OF my plucking."
And II he were. why not7 Sure
you've picked a feather or two before
now In the Low Countries-heyT
"Il tell you what" interrupts the
big man. next time you crack me one
OF your death's-head jokes. over the wall
you 90 after the dog. What's to prevent
lit"
why. this" answers the old fellow.
cheerfully. There's money 90 be made
by doing no such thing. And I don't
carry IL all about with me. So, as tits
late. we'd best talk business nj once"
They moved away toward the seat un-
der the sycamore. and now their words
reached me no longeT-only the low muir
muir OF their voices. Their very forms
were lost within the shadow. /. myself.
was cold enough by this time. but lay
still nevertheless. And after awhile they
stood up together. and came pacing
across the bowling green. the older man
trailing his foot painfully TO Keep step.
"-bcsIdes the pay" the stranger
was saying. there's all you csn win Of
this young fool, Anthony, all you find
on the pair. which I'll wager"
They passed out OF hearing. but turned
soon and came back again. The big man
was speaking this time.
"inl he shot IL I know what game
you're playing in this"
The elder chuckled softly. "Tn be
shot IL / mean you to-" said he.
And this was the last I heard. For
there came a Gathering Mt the door
behind me. and Mr.. Robert Drury reeled
In. Liquor was ever his master. and to-
dsy the Kings health had been a fair
excuse. He did not spy me. but the roar
az his ballad had startled the two men
outside. and 10. while he was stumbling
over chairs and cropping for n finder box,
l slipped out In the darkness. and down
stairs into the street