The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-09-20

| your homecoming LOT lOEIuiSlI
Ye've not been in fitting condition to
be seen at the office, and ye're afraid
| to present yourself there. | wonder
yere not ashamed of yourself"
I'm sorry to have caused you any
| inconvenience, said Billery, who was
very much ashamed of himself, in
| deed.
Sorry" said Miss MacNab. "And
what good does your sorrow do me?
I'd like to be answered that, Mr.. Bill.
cry. Ye're three weeks In arrear, and
here am l with notice from the water
rates. Ye have some money, ! sup
pose, and I'll not leave this room till
I've something on account"
'T'll make an effort to settle up to-
morrow" said Billery, but at this
moment l haven't silver. It's no
use to go down to the office to-day be-
cause it's Saturday and therell be no
body on the premises"
I'm not taking that for an answer"
said Miss MacNab; I'm wanting the
money tonight, and unless | have 1t
I'll lock the door against you as sure
as judgment. I'm just weary OF your
idle worthless way, and I'd be very
well satisfied II you'd just betake your
self elsewhere and make room for one
o. your betters, Mr.. Billery."
I'm sorry" said the wretched Bill
cry; I'm awfully sorry, but don't
know what | can do before tomorrow.
aye can march out of my hoose,"
said the implacable creditor, "and we
can stay out Of it until ye're prepared
to pay me my just dues. the which
amount is one pound seventeen shll-
lings and sixpence, for rent, for money
lent, and for goods supplied. I'm
wanting that sum tonight, and I'm
gaun to have it, or to know the reason
why. An that's my last word upon the
subject, Mr.. Billeery."
With that she fiounced from the
room and came into impetuous coils
ion with very dirtyfaced and slhl-
ternly girl.
What are we doing here, we slut?"
asked Miss MacNab.
Here's a gentleman for Mr.. Billery,"
the girl answered, In tone OF injury.
"And don't you call me names, ma am,
for have 1t will not You're down on
the dodgers fas. enough, but you're
none too fast at paying up yourself
"And this" said Miss MacNab, rs
the treatment I'm subject to in conse-
quence of your Irregularities, Mr.. Bill
cry It's for the last time I'm telling
YOU I'll have that one pound seven
teen shillings and sixpence this night,
or out of my hoose we CO."
"Helloa, Billery," said voice from
the landing. Il seem to have chosen
the wrong time for call Where
have you been this two weeks? Have
you been ill?"
Billery recognized Truscott's voice
and dared not face him.
mo" said Miss MacNab, hes not
been ill., He's just surrendered him
self to his auld habits, and If ye're as
we'll acquaint with him as | am, yen
know what they are"
81 think" said Truscott, II heard
YOU mention tic SUM vi phC pohh"
seventeen and sixpence. Will you
kindly take it out of that? | shall
dock that from next weeks screw,
Billery."
Miss MacNab tucked up her gown
and sought for and found a meager
handful of silver in the pocket of an
undergarment Having handed two
and-six to the visitor, she retired
wordlessly and closed the door behind
her.
Il had a guess as to what might be
the matter" said Truscott. rs 1t any
use to talk about it, Hamilton"
81 don't believe it is" said Billery,
sitting on the bedside and hiding his
face in his hands.
"But what's going to be the end OF
1t all, old MANI" asked Truscott with
a hand upon his shoulder.
81 know" the other answered, mis-
erably. There's nothing that any
body can say to me that l haven't said
to myself thousand times"
by Heaven, Hamilton" cried Trus.
colt, Its great shame! Here you
are, as lovable a fellow as walks the
earth, and a man with brains, man
who might carve out a career for him.
self, just feebly sauntering to perdi-
ton
mot willingly" said Billery; Pm
being dragged there"
Dragged" said Truscott, with an
angry pity. you've no right to let
yourself be dragged"
Il know, Reggy," Billery answered;
mo man knows 1t better"
Well" Truscott declared, III you
won't mend 1t, I will"
Billery made no answer. and Trus-
colt went on
'TIl hire professional puncher, and
I'll give him his instructions. I'll
make him dog you like shadow, and
II he has to lay you out I'll pay his
fines for him."
tits awfully kind Of you to say so.
Reggy," said Billery; "but l don't
think I could put up with that, even
at your hands"
Don't your" retorted Truscott.
"weli see, my boy. I've been think
Ing this business out whilst you've
been away and I've made up my mind.
Ysvvn or,lns ~ ha ,norcj1 ocelv usof,,1 IN