Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-05-31

lngly-a albeit they also shocked him

| Especially was he impressed when
!: somebody proposed a game OF poker,
which the chaplain" seconded most
enthusiastically Young Blakesly had
not caught Robertson's name, and as
the party entered the card room took
occasion to ask him. The major dove
into the pocket of his coat and pro-
! duced card which he handed Blakes.
ly. 1t read:
Augustus w. Bush, LII. D., Chap
lain 124th l. N. G.
The young man gasped in a new
spasm of surprise. This, then, was
his sisters fiancee-the devoted young
priest whose beautiful spirituality had
/ won her earnest, honest heart. Blakes-
! ly had been abroad for several years
and had just returned. He never had
met Bush, and in view of all the Cir
cumstances he scarcely felt he would
care to meet him again.
But. even while he burned with in
dignation at the hypocrisy and decep-
ton this clerical mountebank had
| practiced on his sister, he sat in Won
der and amazement at the conduct OF
the Rev. Bush-at the tricks and sharp
practice he used to win the money of
the others at the table-at his swag-
gering, deyil-may- care air, at his
ribald stories and yet more ribald
songs, at his free drinking and more
than occasional blasphemy. The whole
performance was not bad or disgusting,
except that it was wholly without the
pale of an honest priest.
Blakesly pondered for several days
as to what to do about it. He was a
man of the world and not at all Purj
tanical in his judgment of men. Nor
did he make it practice to dip into
other peoples affairs.
But this was so hagrant-so plain
hiding in the guise of the clergy that
he felt it his duty to warn his trusting
and unworldly sister. Still, so con-
servative was he, that it required sew
eral days hard thinking before he
4 could convince himself that this was
the right course.
Then, with the Blakesly directness,
he told the whole pitiful story-and
fled before her tears. That same night
the Rev. Augustus W. Bush was rudely
aroused from the sweetest day-dreams
he had ever known by a note from
Miss Dora, which shattered those day
dreams into smithereens.
But dormant in Rev. Augustus W.
Bush, chaplain, lay the old Dusty
Bush, football player, oarsman and
crack wrestler of his class, and after
repining for several days Dusty" got
the better of the Reverend" and he
marched to Miss Dora to demand an
explanation-nor would he submit to
interference by the girl who answered
the door. He forced his way into
Miss Blakesly's presence and de-
manded an explanation with vigor
and initiative which, while it did not
enhance his spirituality in Doras
eyes, gave her new insight into his
manhood-which after all is the real
thing in the eyes of woman.
| Thus forced she told him the dread
full tale and pointed at him the finger
of scorn and stamped her pretty foot
many times.
After the outburst was over BUS
ty" (for it was Dusty" now laughed
a great laugh, and demanded to face
| her brother.
Eyes, I'll face him." said Blakesly,
dropping his napkin and striding to
the reception room. "The whelp, to
dare make such bluff"
The two men faced each other in
silence for moment, then Blakesley
began to feel the red blood creep into
his face and neck. Dusty" stood his
ground calm and assertive.
well, I'll be dished," said Blakesly
weakly. "This is not the man l saw.
But look here. Is this your card?"
ut is" replied the chaplain.
"Well, there's some mistake" re-
turned Blakesly, desperately. But
i where were you in Tuesday night?"
Where was l, Miss Blakesly?"
asked the chaplain turning to the girl.
Tuesday night? Why, here, of
course" she replied. That's the day
we arrived and sent you the note.'
/ WELL" said Blakesly, gulping des-
/ perately. Its on me and I'm an ass.
But please tell me who in thunder it
was gave me this card"
The chaplain pondered a minute
then great light broke upon him and
he laughed until it got beyond a
laugh-he whooped.
ut was the major" he cried, still
slapping his legs. "We tent together,
and in my haste to respond to your
note got into his coat. noticed it
i when took 1t off, Naturally he took
what was left"
i After their laugh, Blakesly quietly
withdrew and the lovers made up in
the old, old way. It did cost Blakes-
| ~ many bottles, however, nor did Rob-
ertson escape scot free, Even the
chaplain became Dusty" once more
and bought supper without wine)
at the club.
City of Strassburg.
1 It is such a dear old, new, quaint,
II nd ni+r %l,3, M