Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-11-29

Il am aWfully glad to see yOu,' he
had said. II have thought of YOU again
and again, and | have been on the
point OF writing YOU q score of times.
l haven't forgotten your Kindness to
me-"
Nonsense, Oakley. | liked you, and
it was a pleasure to me to be able to
show my regard responded the doc
tor, with hearty good will.
How is Mrs. Emory and Miss EN-
ory?
"They are both very well. They were
just a little hurt that you ran off with
out so much as a goodby."
Oakley gave him q quick glance.
"She is-Miss Emory is still in Anti
och?"
The doctor nodded.
be in the city with you,' Dan explain
ed, with evident disappointment.
Aren't we ever going to see you in
Antioch again!' inquired the doctor.
He put the question with studied i'll
difference. Dan eagerly scanned his
face. The doctor hdgeted awkwardly.
"Do you think I'd better so back?'
he asked, With Il perccptible dwelling
on the you"
The doctors face became q tride red.
He seemed to weigh the matter care
fully, then he said:
Eyes; l think you'd better. Antioch
would like nightly to lay hands on
you"
Dan laughed happily.
"You don't suppose a fellow could
dodge all that, do you? You see, I was
going west to Chicago in a day or so.
and 1 had thought to take a run on to
Antioch. AS a matter of fact. Cornish
wants me to keep an eye IN the shops.
They are doing we'll, you know, and
we don't want any falling off. But.
you understand, l don't want to get let
in for any fool Mysteries" he added i'm
patiently.
Notwithstanding the supposed conf
dence in which kilograms are transmit
ted, Brown, the day man at Antioch,
generally used his own discretion in
giving publicity to any facts Of local
interest that came under his notice.
message announcing that he and Oak
ley were in Chicago and would arrive
in Antioch the last of the week he held
it for several hours, not quite knowing
what to do. Finally he delivered it in
person, a sacrifice of official dignity
thof on1y, thn nvirnn1inS nf tho ncr1-
sion condoned in his eyes. AS he hand
ed it to Mrs. Emory he said:
Its from the doctor. You needn't
be afraid to open it.; he's all right.
He'll be back Saturday night, and he's
bringing Mr.. Oakley with him. | came
up to see if you had any objection to
my letting the town know
Mrs. Emory saw no reason why the
knowledge of Oakley's return should
be withheld. and in less than half an
hour Antioch, with bated breath, was
discussing the news N street corners
and over back fences.
That night the town council met in
secret session to consider the weighty
matter Of his reception, for by com
MOI consent it was agreed that the
town must take official action. 1t was
suggested that he be given the free
dom Of the city. This sounded large
and mel with instant favor, but when
the question arose as to how the free
dom of the city was conferred the pres
ident turned, with a slightly embar-
raised air. to the member who had
made the motion. The member eN,
planned, with some reserve, that he be-
lieved the most striking feature had to
do with the handing over of the city
keys to the guest of honor. But ulior-
tunately Antioch had no city keys to
deliver. The only keys that by any
stretch of the imagination could be 50
called were those Of the courthouse
and they were lost.
Here an appeal was made to tie
Hon. .Jeb Barrows. who was usually
called in to straighten GU any parlla-
mentary tangles in which the council
became involved. That eminent states
man was leaning dreamily against a
nillar at the end of the council cham
Der. On one or the cafdS ue hau III
ready penciled the brief suggestion,
Feed him and have out the band
He handed the card to the president,
aud the council heaved a sigh Of relief
The momentous question Of Oakley's
official reception was settled.
When Dan and DR.. Emory stepped
from No. I Saturday night the station
platform was crowded with men and
boys. The brass band, which Antioch
loved with Il love that stifled criticism
perspiring and in dire haste, was turn
ing the street corner half a block dis,
liant. Across the tracks at the railroad
shops a steam whistle shrieked an &c
static welcome.
Dan glanced ut the doctor with q
slightly puzzled air.
What do you suppose Is the ma
teri" he asked unsuspiciously.
"Why, man, don't YOU understand
Its your
There was no need for hin 10 SAY
more, for the crowd had caught sigh
Of Dan and n hundred voices cried;
"Therc he Is! There's Oakley
A. O.. II, A. A.