Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-17
Richard
 the BraZen

tWlfllnS ms gun aTOuuu dlTlly III Ills quick fingers in retrospective joy. "Oh, I say!" he cried. "You just ought to have heard that fellow when began to pick off his knuckle bones. very sensitive to sudden shock, and in this particular instance had no earthly cause to complain. Perhaps you are wondering how I could shoot 50 accurately. Well. I'll tell you" Richard leaned forward and contided In a pleased whisper, "I had just oijcd my gun"
 Bills now began to sober up with astonishing rapidity. His putty-like complexion had grown grayer still. while his eyes were watery, wandering ase,ut in the fruitless hope of detecting sosne avenue of escape. Even his hair st.amed to stir rcstlessly on his head, and feeling of weakness and nausea came over him.
 "Wot-wot became of the gentleman slrT' he asked, with a choly click in his voice
 "Gentleman?' repeated Richard ab sently. "What gentleman"
 "W'y, the-target gentleman, sir. tho one as was losin' parts of 'isself that don't count, Mir. Williams, sir. I mean
 "Oh, yes. yes"' laughed the Texan. q was thinking of something else. You mean my contract man? l don't remember exactly. He was alive when left him, believe, but rather think the crows got him in the end" There was another pause, in which Richard listened intently. "Ah!" he exclaimed T believe I hear Miss Renwyck com ing downstairs. Hadn't you better scc her before we go for our ride?"
 Bills breathed hard, thought fol awhile. then looked up timidly.
 "M' lord
 Don't call me my lord" said Rich ard so sharply that the servant nearly fell ont of his chair. "I have no right to that title now-since we've parted company. Ne: I'm just plain MT. Will. Hams, COW puncher, man eater, any thing you like except an English noble. man."
 "But-but-m' lord" persisted Bills, rising unsteadily and becoming the re- spectful servant once more, T don't want to leave you, sir. Candid, MT. Williams, sir, I'll serve you faithful; deed I will It was only the drink wot made me forgit meself, Lord Will Hams, sr-I mean-good Gawd! NJ lord. you won't think of shootin' at my knuckle bones when was only foolin', sir-whCn"-
 "Oh, is that it?" Richard interrupted. Tt was joke, then?'
 Yes. sir
 My. What delicate humor you Engishmen have! Am I to under stand that you will continue to be my servant on the original terms of agree ment:"
 Tt would make me 'oppy, m lord, oh. so 'appy"
 Very we'll" said Richard. "I'll give you another trial. But understand me, Bills, there must be no more non sense.'
 No sir"
 "NO more brandy?"
 "No. sir"
 And you will obey me implicitly in everything?"
 "I will. so clip me-
 All right" smiled the Texan. "I'll give you an order as d starter. Just get those new riding boots of Lord Croyland's. will you, and put them on break them in for me? l may be out for several hours. You will walk up and down in them until I return"
 "But-but." protested Bills, them boots is too small for you, sir-I mean, your lordship-an' my foot is bigger'n yours. sir
 q know that perfectly" answered Richard pleasantly. Singular how Bills had never before recognized how pleasant his master could be. "We'll kill two birds with one stone. Not only will you break those boots for me. but per contra at the same time you may be reminded of what it means 10 break a contract with me. Am clear:"
 The valet sat limp and speeches. He made no move to obey the harsh command. so Richard turned on his heel. crossed to the window and stood looking out among the trees. Bills" he asked presently, have you noticed how many crows are fly ing about the place? never observed them before"
 Yes. yes. m lOrd:' the servant gasp cd. I've noticed 'em frequent, sir. an'-an'. awskin' your pardon. sir. I'm ready to put the boots On."
 Richard watched the operation in grim enjoyment. The fit was a tight one. but Bills accomplished the feat at last. though the precipitation came out on his forehead in cOpiOus profu- sion.
 Thank you" said the Texan simply and departed without giving any fur theT directions.
 He enjoyed his ride with Miss liar riet hugely For three long. bIiSsful hours he csntered with her On beauti- ful country roads. where the air was sweet and invisOrating. where the scent of wild flowers came to them and the fragrance of the wild woods sweet ] CT still in the deepening dusk A hun dred times he was on the verge of eonfessing all, of throwing himself up- on the mercy of her gentIeness. but a