The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-09-27

convinced that you are doing him a
wrong"
Upon my word, Rags" cried Bill
cry, Il can't make you out. The man
comes here to demand a retraction Of
as vile a charge as could conceivably
be brought against him and goes away
without 1t, and says he's quite con-
vinced that I've acted from a proper
motive. Would an innocent man ell
dure to have charge Of murder flung
into his face and then offer that sort
of answer"
mot unless he were a very uncom-
mon sort Of man." Truscott assented,
''and had some very urgent reason for
his conduct. l don't profess to under
stand 1t, but can't read guilt into the
mans face. He puzzles me complete
ly."
"He doesn't puzzle me-" said Billery.
"He came here to bluff me, and he's
gone away without exacting what he
came to exact, and admitting In 80
many words that l had acted rightly
and naturally in denouncing him.
never met so impudent villain"
II never met with so obscure a rid
die" Truscott answered. Say no
more about it. must go now. I have
spent more time here than l meant to
spend. suppose, after the little scene
/ broke In upon on my arrival, it's
hardly necessary to ask you If you
have any money!"
81 haven't cent" said Billery, sud-
denly recalled to a remembrance Of
his own misconduct and hanging his
head once more
Well mend that" Truscott an
swered. But look here, Hamilton, It
doesn't come easy to one Englishman
to tell another that he loves him. But
we're very old comrades, you and I,
and barring that one failing I never
found an ounce of vice under your
skin. Pm very sore about you, Hamik
ton, and if I hadn't sincere affection
for you 1t wouldn't be in your power
to hurt me as you do. You're an aw-
full ass, you know, old chap, and il 1t
hadn't been that Providence has been
kind to one old friend, you'd have
brought yourself to the gutter long
ago. You must forgive me for saying
that, but l have proved myself a
friend"
you have, indeed" said Billery.
was giving free vent to his emotion
now. Heaven knows you have"
Il only dare to name it because
want you to do me favor in return
II wish | could" said Billery.
you can" his friend answered.
Give it up, old chap. Give it up and
be your old bright, brave self again.
You can If you'll only try. Promise
me this. Tell me that you won't avoid
me at the end Of the month, as you
did last time. Come and report your
self. and We'll go and dine together
somewhere, and you shall have mod
crate skinful and I'll shepherd you
home. Now promise.
Yes" said Billery, 'Ill come"
why, hang 1t ALL" cried Truscott,
slapping him on the back. IF the en-
emy's so big and strong that we can't
beat him all at once and altogether,
we must circumvent him, bit by bit"
'I'll come" said Billery; II prom
ise."
'I'll tell you," Truscott said, "how
we'll work the oracle. You say this
fit comes on once a month";"
Yes" was the answer. I've never
been able to stick it longer, since the
thing began"
We'll, l don't suppose that there's
any actual need to go regular muck
er at it, is there?"
mo, don't suppose there is, but
when it once gets started"
Quite So" said Truscott; when it
once gets started it's a difficult thing
to stop"
That's where it is" said poor Bill
cry.
This day month you shall come
down home with me. VIII dine to-
gether, and you shall have what you
want in your own room, and you shall
give me your promise for another
month. You'll have to come back to
town next morning, but l suppose the
temptation will be over for the time
being"