Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-11-16
CHAPTER III.
A CROSSING or SWORDS.

When Drysdale opened his window
next morning, he found the sun shin
/ ing from a sky unClOuded and the air
warm with the promise OF spring. II
called him in way not TO be resisted
and he stepped out on the little bal
cony which ran beneath the window:
then he caught the odor of a cigaret.
and turned TO see Tremaine smiling at
| him.
Good morning." cried Tremaine.
"A beautiful morning, isn't it, Won't
you join mC"'
1t was impossible to refuse him
but DTNsdale had no thought OF re-
fusal--he rather welcomed the oppor-
tunity TO cross swords with his rival.
TO test his skill. TO find out IN how
far that air Of triumph was justified
by the strength behind it, SO he took
tho little ~ylinder OF paper as he re-
turned the greeting, and sat down on
the sin Of his window.
But now grey the sea is continued
/ Tremaiue 1t is not so I'm the tropics
II is blue--oh, such q bluc!"
You seem to be an early riser OBJ
served Drysd3le. who had thought TO
find himself the first astir
1T is a habit one learns at St Pierre.
The dawn is, there, the only pleasant
portion of the day-one rises 10 burn
incense to it,
You have lived long at ST Pierre ."
Nearly four years
And before that?'
Drysdale felt the badness OF the
question, ana knew that he was not
proceeding as deftly as he should, that
he was fencing Clumsily: but opposed
to this was a burning desire 20 know
more about this man. to probe into his
past. Not by the quiver of lash did
TremaiEc indicate that he found the
question either strange or unwelcome.
"Ah, | have been wanderer," he an
swe"ed readily, and with apparent
frankness. II have lived I'm many coun-
tries and | have met many people-at
Paris, ~ ST Petersburg, at London
even at st; mboul. And you, Mr.. Drys-
dale?"
There was something subtly ironic in
the tone-a shade OF veiled contempt
that brought a flush to the others face
Yes, YOU have guessed it," he said:
I've lived only in New York
The merest flicker of amusement
flashed across Tremaine's lips and they
finished their Cigarcts i'm silence. Ire
maine's suaNity seemed to have come
suddenly To an end He no longer at
tempted TO disregard the barrier that
had arisen between them. or explain
away that swift glance of the night be
fore. They went down together TO
breakfast. presently; but only Delroy
joined thSm there, and IL was not an
especially pleasant meal, despite the
bright sun at the windows and Ire
names impcrturbable good humor
As they arose from table that gentle
man announced his intention of going
for walk about the grounds. and
Drysdale carried Delroy off to the IL
brary
Now. Dickie,' he began resoIuteIv.
as soon they We're seated, I'm going
TO quarrel with YOU. You're not careful
enough Of your family. who is this
Tremaine. anyway"
Delroy regarded the questiOner with
long stare of establishment
Why, he's mighty pleasant fellow
Who's putting through--"
Il know all that, INTERRUPTED the
other, little Iudely. But who is heP
Where dio he come from?"
He came from st. Pierre
"Dickie,' said Drysdale impressively.
you're too easy. You think all men
are honest Have you seen his creden
tiais? Who stands for him?"
Delroy jumped up impatiently.
See here, Jack" he demanded. "vhat
is II you're driving at?"
I'm trying 10 point out 20 YOU that