The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-02-24

forget" he said, that / am here as an
invited guest"
what, in my chamber" said l hot
". .'I,he devil take your invitation!
That l reserve for myself
He came into the passage. II be-
lieve," said he as amiably as ever.
that l am now within the precincts
of my right and within the rights of
hospitality"
'As you choose" said l sullenly.
"And that being so, l will trouble you
to awaken your host from a drunken
sIumber, concOcted I know not how"
MY dear sir" said the captain,
laughing now quite cheerfully, there
is no connection necessary, l assure
you. A bottle of whisky or Burgundy
to his elbow and my young friend
Montgomery asks nothing better. And
I trust that you will give me credit
for this, that do not tresp2ss upon an
other gentleman's cellars
mo" said l. "You keep sober,
grant YOU" and stalked somewhat an.
grily down the stairs.
Montgomery lay where I had lef.
him. but lifted hts head upon our ell
trance, glaring with stupid and mis-
cradle eye upon US.
"Ah," said the captain pleasantly,
my young friend is himself again, or
at least wants but bucket OF cold
waterv' And he clapped him on the
back in friendly fashion
You had better take him away"
said l curly, but at that remark and
after CHANGING from one to the other
the boys eyes rested upon my face
with q look of CONSERVATION, and sud
denly he buried his face in his arms
with a sort of sob.
Faith, am in the way here" said
the captain merrily, and without more
ado he shuffied out of the house. leav-
Ing me alone with the wretched youth.
l stood for time regarding him with
Indifference, but presently another
mood overlook me- He was honest
and leal, l could swear, but he was an
arrant fool and had very sorry vice.
Montgomery" said l, you have
been guilty of grave breach of faith.
But so far we are not the losers by it,
and think if you will take the advice
of your friend, the captain, we shall be
in a better condition to discuss this
presently
He took the hint, turned from me
blotchy face of shame and hurried with
little dignity from the room. 1t was
half an hour ere he returned and pre-
scented me an air of determination
which l could guess had been assumed
with difficulty. 1t was then that, with
out referring to his own conduct, eX-
planned in general way the harm he
had done me.
You have said hard words to me,
Mr.. Greatorex," he said none the less
hard because they are true"
/ appreciated the struggle which had
been contested in the silly head.
"As it turned out, you have done me
less mischief than you Think" l re-
piled.
THAT is no excuse" he retorted hot
~. Il have acted like cad, but will
ask you to believe that l have the best
will in the world to be your friend
You could be very good friend to
me-" | answered, "if you would obey
orders. \ good soldier, Montgomery,
has IL scrupuious conscience while on
duty. Outside that he may be what he
will"
Il have done what l would all my
life" he said moodily. And l am all
the worse for it,
THAT is very likely" said l dryly.
But now you have the chance to
amend"
He looked up eagerly. do you give
me another chance?" he asked earnest
ly. Mr. GreatoreX, will ask no ques-
tons. l don't pretend to understand
the position But you are free to use
me-"
Il am going to trust YOU" l answer
ell him, and in proof of my. resolve |
will leave you in charge here tomor-
row"
An expression of satisfaction lit up
his features.
You will not regret it." he said
''And as for that scoundrel Sercombe"
he paused. with savage look of dis
like-'I will catch him and break his
bottles over his head"
TO BE CONTINUED