The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1906-09-21

WIiueSS 10 Iue Whole u lu6Iu. Z We
geeven in again to your besettins
weakness. we've not been sober at
your homecoming for a fortnight.
Ye've not been in fitting condition to
be seen at the office, and yere afraid
to present yourself there. l wonder
ye're not ashamed Of yourself"
Pm 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, l sup
pose, and III not leave this room till
I've something on account"
'Ill make an effort to settle up to-
morrow" said Billery, but at this
moment l 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 l 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
well satisfied ii 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't
know what 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 shil-
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
| room and came into impetuous coll1s-
ternly girl.
What are We doing here, ye slut?"
asked Miss MacNab.
| Here's a gentleman for Mr.. Billery,"
| the girl answered, in a tone Of injury.
| ''And don't you call me names, ma am,
| for have 1t will not. You're down on
| the dodgers fas. enough. but you're
none too fast at paying up yourself"
"And this" said Miss MacNab, els
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 hoose we go"
"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 Truscott's 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 yere as
we'll acquaint with him as l am, yell
know what they are"
II think" said Truscott. 81 heard
you mention the sum of one pound
seventeen and sixpence. Will you
( kindly take it out of that? I 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 Truscott. rs it any
f! use to talk about it, Hamilton"
| II don't believe it u.s." said Billery,
sitting on the bedside and hiding his
| face in his hands.
But what's going to be the end OF
| 1t all, old man." asked Truscott with
hand upon his shoulder.
| 81 know" the other answered. mis-
erably There's nothing that any
body can say to me that haven't said
to myself thousand times"
"By Heaven, Hamilton" cried Trus.
colt, Its great shame! Here you
are, as lovable fellow as walks the
earth, and man with brains, man
who might carve out career for him
self. just feebly sauntering to perdi-
ton"
Not willingly" said Billery; I'm
being dragged there"
Dragged" said Truscott, with an
angry pity. you've no right to let
yourself be dragged"
II know, Reggy." Billery answered;
mo man knows 1t better"
''Wefl,'' Truscott declared. III you
won't mend 1t, 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."
TITS awfully kind Of you to say so,
Reggy," said Billery; "but don't
think I could put up with that, even
! at your hands,"
Don't your" retorted Truacott.