The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-09-06
CHAPTER X. (Continued.)

An. Beer tea and arrOWfOOt. very
good. No wine? You know we must
have no nonsense about teetotalism IL
the doctor orders wine, as he probably
will do when the patients fever has
gone down. Now, that will carry you
on for little while, and I'll look In
from time to time and see how you are
getting on. And you'll tell the doctor
to do his best, won't you? Also tell
him that the bill is to be sent to me-"
The woman had never touched a
five-pound note In all her life until
that moment. but she knew its value
well enough and stood too stupid for
thanks.
Now I'll say good morning. No.
Don't you trouble to come down. And
you must let me see brighter face
tomorrow"
He had gone before she could an
swer him word. He did not see that
people ran out of doors to stare after
him as he passed, but the fact was the
man late in possession had told the
story of his benefaction, and half the
village knew OF 1t already. Before
nightfall everybody had heard Of 1t,
and once again the name OF -rangwyn
filled the general mouth. He was just
as unconscious of this as he was of the
fact that M. Ribot was en- route to
Paris, with intent to weave another
strand In the rope which was meant
to hang h! n. He sat alone all morn
ing and all afternoon In his own in
ward-looking way, sometimes occupy
ing himself with book sometimes
with his pencil, and now and then
spending few minutes over one or
the other of his waxen sketches; but
oftenest with empty and unoccupied
hands, smoking and staring before him
with unseeing eyes.
That evening there came ring at
the bell, and he heard the voice of the
clergyman of the parish asking If he
were at home. Twice he had excused
himself from receiving that visitor al
ready.
Il suppose" he said to himself, Il
can't go on forever without a word of
explanation. III see the man, and get
1t over"
He was sitting after dinner over his
coffee and a chess problem he was
constructing in the room which had
been Truscott's study, and walking
through the open doorway into the hall
he greeted his visitor on the thresh-
hold.
Pray come In, sir" he said, and
when the caller was seated he ad
dressed him with a courteous excuse
for his former aloofness THE fact is
| am very uncompanionable fellow.
l have fallen into lonely habits. and
find they grow upon me. beg you
not to think that | am quite bear or
that | am willingly discourteous. But
am painfully conscious of my own I'M
fitness for society, and l prefer to be
alone. You won't take that plain
statement as being offensive, will you?
And you won't allow 1t to prevent you
from calling upon me in any case Of
urgency such as gentlemen of your
profession are so often brought into
contact with"
The clergyman was genial man
with humorous mouth and eye and
fine expression of intelligence.
Now, do you know, Mr. Brangwyn,"
he answered. II should counsel you to
fight that tendency, and to fight 1t
hard"
mo doubt" said Aloysius, 81 should
offer the same counsel to another
but l can't take my own prescription.
I'm an unclubable fellow, and | shall
ask you to leave me to my humor."
why" cried the visitor, you're
chess player"
II was" returned the other. II am
constructing a three-move probleh here.
I find some occupation that way now
and then"
my dear sir" said the parson. II
invite you to have pity on starving
soul. There isn't another chess player
In the parish, and it's the only recre-
alton in the world for me, except a
grind at the classics now and then"
Are you at leisure now?" Aloysius
asked.
81 am, sir" said the parson. "Wil
you give me gamer"
with pleasure" said Aloysius. ut
Is the one thing l regret in the lonely
life I am obliged to lead. You will
find me somewhat rusty, am afraid"
The visitor was already setting out
the men. Aloysius pushed the cigar
box toward him and drew his chair up
to the board. In silence the parson
took black pawn and white, and,
after juggling them behind him. held
out both hands. The first move fell to
him and the game began. They played
In silence for an hour, and each found
the other worthy Of his steel. At
last the host forced his way through
stubborn defense, and the guest
turned down his king In token of sur
render.
Cad. Mr.. Brangwyn," said the par
SON. that was glorious tussle.
must be OF now. but you'll give me my
revenge?"
Willingly" said Aloysius. VAT any
time you please"
Before co." said the parson, "let
me tell you why Icalled. have heard
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