The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-08-17
~ THE
Brangwyn Mystery
cHAPrER vll.-(continu.edl

CHAPTER vli.-(continued).
my governor didn't say anything
about being out tonight" said Ger
vase. Hes very regular party as q
rule. But that's how things happen,
and Of course you may expect cove
TO be away when most he's wanted"
my governors the cove for regu-
larity," said Gervase's friend. "He
comes home about seven o'clock in the
morning with his dress tie under one
ear, and swears at me because won't
let him go to bed in his boots. He
takes his half-bottle at four or five,
breakfasts at six, dresses for the
theayter about eight, and turns up at
seven hay hem with his tie under the
other year. Then for a change he'll
cry because I won't let him go to bed
with his boots on. but he can always
be relied on with regard to hours.
That's been his line of life ever since
I've been with him, and he's as strong
as bullock and as healthy as foot
baller in full training"
That's the queer part of it." said
Gervase tits the unequal way as
things are distributed. Now my gov
ernor, he's obliged to be pretty nearly
as careful as l am. A little bit of
gaiety and he'll be knocked clean of
his perch for month of Sundays.
Well have just one more, and then l
think 1t would be as we'll II we had a
bit of snooze."
"All right" his friend returned
you take your snoose and I'll keep
watch. My tulip won't be home for
three hours yet, and shall be through
with him in half an hour
Gervase bestowed himself for slum-
Der. The morning hours passed un-
eventually, and in little while all the
three under that roof were asleep.
The tulips guardian was awakened by
the sound of heavy and uncertain
footstep on the stair, and darted out to
the performance of his customary
morning functions.
Billery slumbered more like death
than life to look at, and Gervase. dis
turbed by his companions departure,
arose to battle and dress and to ar
range the rooms for his masters ar
rival. 1t was near noon when Alexis
appeared, perfectly attired and
groomed, but looking pale. tired and
harrassed.
why, what in heavens name. is
this?'' he asked, as his eye fell on
Billery. isn't that fellow recovered
vet?"
II suppose it was you, sir, that left
the gentleman here last night?" asked
Gervase. -
eyes," said Alexis, II left him here.
He was drunk, confound him, and
put him on my bed. What's this
dreadful smell of gas, Gervase?"
"Can you smell it still, sir?" Gervase
inquired. We've had the windows
open hours and hours. There's been
a dreadful business here, SIR" and he
began to tell the story with many
windings and cifcumlocutions, whilst
Alexis listened apparently more in
wrath than sympathy
'The drunken BRUTE" he said. ut
was wonder he didn't kill himself"
"We1l, SIR" said Gervase, "its none
20 certain that he hasn't. It was half
an hour before the doctor was sure
that there was a pulse left in him.
He's been in twice to see him, and
he's none too hopeful. The gentleman
hasn't moved little finger since we
laid him there, and shouldn't be sur.
prised, sir, If he never moved anoth-
err"
Alexis walked to the side of the
couch and looked down at the recum-
bent figure. Billery's face was all
pulled and swollen; his lips were lead
color, and his cheeks of a greenish
gray.
Il think he is breathing a trifle freer
than he was, sir" Gervase said.
You'd ha' took him for a corpse at
five this morning, sir"
WELL" returned Alexis, reluctantly,
II can't turn him out like this. You
can make room for him somewhere. l
suppose?'
He'd be as we'll off as anywhere in
the library" Gervase suggested, "but
AS 6SI INC pHOpSlOSt nursing AT the
hospital
Alexis still stood looking down at
the pulled features. He stopped to
take the wrist between his thumb and
finger, consulting his watch mean.
while.
We'll, Welt" he said, as he allowed
the hand to fall. "This poor beggar
was friend of mine until he went to
the dogs through drink l suppose we
must look after him, Gervase. When
do you expect the doctor back again 2"
From what he said. sir" Gervase
answered, che might be here at any
minute now. That's him. / expect.
sir
In effect there was ring at the bell
{ that moment. It did not herald the
adveatgof the doctor, however, but Of
Two young ladies in summer morning
costume, looking delightfully."- dainty.
fresh and cool, and sparkling with
health and high spirits. e I
q ilian!' cried Alexis, advancing
With outstretched hands, What
brings you here % ;sa