The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-10-11
=THE@
BrangWyn Mystery

| even as things went he was compan-
toned on occasion by the men who
ruled the world in his days-cabinet
ministers, thinkers, painters, musi-
| clans, politicians Of all shades and
| grades. His Saturday was still his
only real holiday, though he had a
| tribe OF led-captains and lieutenants to
whom he might safely enough have en-
trusted his fortunes from time to time.
But just as the perfect general must
think for all. and plan for all, so must
the perfect editor, and il ever there
was to bs a time of rest and ease
for Truscott he knew that it was not
yet.
He was stroling in his own grounds
with an after-dinner cigar, and his
wife. who was still but half-emerged
from the courtshp stage, was walk
ing beside him with both hands rest
ing lightly on his arm. The full moon
was riding slowly up the sky, and they
stood still to watch the patterns
woven on its luminous face by the
boughs and climbing plants it passed,
and, in its passage, revealed ike SO
many silhouetteS. 1t was week
later than Alexis Brangwyn's visit,
full spring, and there was a nightin.
gale who had taken up his quarters
somewhere in the neighborhoOd. They
had gone out In the tranquil perfumed
night to hear him, if haply he should
sing. The moon rose slowly, showing
UP pattern after pattern Of dark
tracery, and suddenly the figure OF
the bird was seen, GROWING the de-
sign. They caught sight of it at the
same instant, and warned each other
to silence. At the moment at which
the mounting moon had silhouetted
the birds figure at it's very center,
the beak opened, the throat swelled,
and a triumph of song flowed out upon
the quiet night There was garden
seat close by, and they sought 1t In
silence, their footsteps falling quietly
on the soft turf. And there they sat
Just breathing, with the wife's head
resting on the husbands shoulder,
and the woman yearned and thrilled
as women will until the birds song
was over and the husband smoked his
cigar and forgot the music in the first
three minutes. There was a big po-
litical question on the board just then,
and vigorous action would be called
for In a day or two. But this was not
the hour for decision, and Truscott,
lulled by the sense of leisure he had
cultivated all day long by the effects
of an excellent dinner and by the
half-heard music, fell into a doze. His
wifes reverie tended in that direc-
ton too, and suddenly they were
startled by angry voices near at hand.
They had neither of them heard the
footsteps Of the speakers as they APP
preached, and the first sound which
reached their ears was a Snarling
phrase in French. The village road
was Immediately beneath them as
they sat.
Animal" said the voice, go
back"
But, see you" said another voice,
Il will not go back until | have what
| come for. You would not be of any
use in the town. Very well. l follow
you to the country"
81 told thee, turtle that thou art, !"
said the first voice, that | had bust
ness here, and that l had no time to
attend to thee before midnight. Go
back, and wait me there"
"Mais vos-tu," the second began,
but the first snapped across it.
"Insolent scoundrel, do you dare
address me in that manner"
yes" said the other, Il dare ad-
dress you as you address me. There
are you rolling in gold, and here am |
with scarce a covering to my naked
ness. And | know as much as you do
BAH" said the other.
DO / not? Eth bien. but l know
enough to hang him, and you can do
no more. And he is your mich COW,
and you draw from him your gold and
your wine and your fine clothes and
your fine apartments. And where am
I? I!-I!-I!-who know enough to
hang him and to send you to the gal
legs"
You have been drinking" was the
answer. Go back and wait for me.
Il will not go back. have nothing
to so back with. | had in my pouch
when saw you at the railway station
but one-half crown Of the money OF
this benighted country. l have spent
that on the journey"
THE greater fool you," was the
scornful response. Understand now
Remark me well; I will not have you
pursuing mel will not have you de-
handing things of me. You may find
your way back how you like. You will
have no help from me. Come to me
at the hour | dictate, and at the place
dictate, and / will do something for
you If choose, and nothing for you ii
/ choose. And IL you are not satisfied
with that, then go to him, my friend
and see how you will fare. You-with
one-half the record of your life in
AL ~ y