Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-22

your Homecoming for a fortnight.
we've not been in fitting condition to
be seen at the Office, and yefe afraid
to present yourself there. wonder
| ye're not ashamed of yourself.
I'm sorry to have caused you any
inconvenience, said Bflery, who was
very much ashamed of himself, In
! deed.
Sorry" said Miss MacNab. And
what good does your sorrow do nae
I'd like to be answered that, Mr.. Bill
cry Ye're three weeks in arrear, and
here am 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"
ell make an effort to settle up to-
morrow" said Billery, but at TINS
| moment I haven't silver. It's no
use to go down to the Office to-day be-
cause it's Saturday, and there'n 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 | nave IL
I'll lock the door against you as sure
as judgment. Fm just weary OF your
| idle, worthless ways, and Ia be very
we'll satisfied if 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 {
know what l can do before tomorrow"
Eye can march OUT of my hoose," "
| said the implacable creditor, and We
can stay out of it until yere prepared
to pay me my just dues. the which
| amount is one pound seventeen sh1l-
| 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
roon and came into impetuous COILS
ion with a very dirty-faced and sat
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 it I will not. You're down on
the dodgers fast enough, but you're
none too fast at paying up yourself"
."And this" said Miss MacNab, is
the treatment I'm subject to in conse-
uuence Of your irregularities, Mr.. Bill
erv. It's for the last time I'm telling
you. I'll have that one pound seven
teen shillings and sixpence- this nlgnt'
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 Truscotts 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, yeh
know what they are.
'T think" said Truscott, Il heard
won mention the sun of one pound
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 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
II had a guess as to what might be
the matter" said TTuscott. rs it any
use to talk about it, Hamilton?
81 don't believe it is" said Blllery,
sitting on the bedside and hiding his
face in his hands.
''BM what's going to be the end OF
it all, old anan?'' asked Tfuscott with
a hand upon his shoulder.
81 know the other answered, mis-
erably. There's nothing that any
body can say to me that 1 haven't said
to myself a thousand times"
'eBy Heaven, Hamilton" cried Trus
colt, cts a 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; I'm
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 it better"
WELL" Truscott declared, IF you
won't mend it, [ will
Billery made no answer. and Trus-
colt went on
"I'll hire professional puncher, and
I'll give him his instructions. I'll
make him dog you like shadow, and
| if he has to lay you out I'll pay his
fines for him.
| Its awfully kind of you to say so,
Reggy," said Billery; "but don't
think could put up with that, even
at your hands"
GDon'f Won" ratOrfed TruScOtt