The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-09-21

/ "
geeven in again to your besetting
weakness. Ye've not been sober at
your homecoming for a fortnight
Ye've not been in fitting condition to
be seen at the Office, and ye're afraid
to present yourself there. I wonder
ye're not ashamed of yourself"
"I'm sorry to have caused you any
Inconvenience" said Billery, who was
very much ashamed Of himself, in.
deed.
"Sorry!" said Miss MacNab. "And
what good does your sorrow do me?
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"
I'll make an effort to settle up to-
morrow" said Billery, "but at this
moment 1 haven't silver. It's no
use to go down to the Office to-day be-
cause it's Saturday, and there'll 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 ! have 1t
I'll lock the door against you as sure
as judgment. I'm just weary of your
idle, worthless way, and I'd 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; "Im awfully sorry, but l don't
know what l can do before tomorrow
Eye can march GU, Of my hoose,'
said the implacable creditor, land We
can stay out of it until ye're Prepared
to pay me my just dues. the which
| amount is one pound seventeen shll'
lings and sixpence, for rent, for money
lent, and for goods supplied. Pm
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 founced from the
room and came into impetuous coils
ion with very dirty-faced and sln.-
ternly girl.
What are We doing here, We slut?"
asked Miss MacNab.
Here's gentleman for Mr.. Billery,'
| the girl answered, in a tone of injury.
"And don't you call me names, ma'am,
for have it 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
quence of your irregularities, Mr.. Bill
cry. It's for the last time I'm telling
you. I'll have that one pound seven
| teen shillings and sixpence this night
or out of my hose We CO."
"Helloa, Billery," said a voice from
the landing. II seem to have chosen
the wrong time for a call. Where
have you been this two weeks? Have
you been ILL.,"
Billery recognized Truscotts voice
and dared not face him.
"No," said Miss MacNab, "he's not
been i'll. He's just surrendered him
self to his auld habits, and If ye're as
we'll acquaint with him as am, yell
know what they are
II think" said Truscott, II heard
you mention the sum of one pound
seventeen and sixpence. Will yor
( kindly take it out of that? I shall
dock that from next weeks screw
Billery."
Miss MacNab tucked up her gowr
|
handful of silver in the pocket Of ar
undergarment. Having handed two
and-six to the visitor, she retired
wordlessly and closed the door behint
her.
II had a guess as to what might b
the matter" said Truscott. 'Is it an!
use to talk about it, Hamilton"
| II don't believe it is" said Billery
sitting on the bedside and hiding hi
face in his hands.
"But what's going to be the end o
it all, old MANI" asked Truscott will
hand upon his shoulder.
I 81 know" the other answered, mis-
erably. There's nothing that any
body can say to me that I haven't sail
to myself thousand times"
"By Heaven, Hamilton" cried Trus
colt, "it's a great shame! Here 70,
are, as lovable fellow as walks tn
earth, and man with brains, maj
who might carve out career for him
self, just feebly sauntering to perdi
tion.'
mot willingly" said Billery; "rn
, being dragged there"
Dragged" said Truscott, with q
angry pity. you've no right to lie
yourself be dragged"
Il know, Reggy," Billery answered
mo man knows it better"
WELL" Truscott declared, III 70
won't mend it, will"
i Billery made no answer. and Tru.
, colt went on
I'LL hire professional puncher, an
I'll give him his instructions. r.
make him dog you like shadow, an
If he has to lay you out I'll pay hi
fines for him."
It's awfully kind Of you to say 8,
Y Reggy" said Ri1lerv. Hhut dnn