The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-02-07
CHAPTER xvfIt-ocon,inued., ,

IrtnE 4 ER ANlii~-A13atl1ucd-J
The jeweler appeared mystihsd. Ger
tainly chariues Baumgarten did no; look
like man who would deny his own re-
sponsibility; moreover. the young barris-
ter's irreproachabIe character was well
known. Yet Mr.. White knew that he
had come in and bought the iewelry.
1T is altogether absurd" said Charles.
You must BE- mistaking me for some ore
else. Had I bought ieweiry. should
have paid for il in cash, | tell you; noe
By biIi.'
"whst shall you dor asked Mr. Jeph-
son.
Il shall sleep upon IL; and perhaps
have a quiet word with a gentleman de-
tectiye."
As he gained Pump Court, having
wished Godfrey Jephson good evening,
and turning into IL in a brown study,
q whistle high up greeted him. Gazing
upward, Charles perceived the face and
whiskers of q friend of his looking out
from the window Of some chambers not
Ear from his own.
Hi, Baumgarten! Come up"
Cant. Have some work TO do"
Then take the consequences"
A shower Of something liquid was in
preparation of descent. Charles Baum
garten made a dash, and disappeared up
the stairs. Peter Chester grandson
of that old Mr.. Chester who was once
rector Of Great Whitton, received Charles
with basin of hot soup in his hand.
You'd have caught it nicely, Charley,
basin and all Just look at the precious
stuff she concocts for a fellow, dying,
pretty near, of an infamed throat.
told her beef tea, and she goes and makes
this"
Charley knew of the storms that Peter
Chester. who. like himself, lived in his
chambers for ecoaomy's sake, and his old
Iaundress had together. lis your throat
no better?" be asked.
Much you care whether it's better or
worse 81 retorted Peter Chester, slight
young man, with delicate face and
blue eyes I'D never go from my word,
Baumgarten. You promised to come in
and sit with a fellow last night, but
deuce bit came you"
II added IL could Peter"
''Well, IL you could not--that's to say,
ar you did not--yon might have sent Joe
In 10 tell me so. Just get Ill yourself,
and see how lively your evenings would
be with your throat in flannel, expecting
a fellow who never comes !"
II was coming in at eight o'clock, when
old Tompkins called in, and talked over
old times. Every quarter Of an hour
thought he'd go; instead of which he
stuck on till eleven o'clock"
You'll shine at the bar, Charley.
when you can invent a white lie after
that rapid fashion, and stare man in
the face as you tell it,"
"Tomkins was in my chambers
''Tomkins might be. But you were
not"
What do you mean, Peter"
Peter Chester was looking at him, and
laughing in a most provoking manner.
Fl don't see why you should make a
mystery Of ii, Baumgarten," he said. IF
you did choose to go out and enjoy your
self. instead of passing the evening with
a sick chum, there's no reason why you
should not admit it. Only you might
have dropped me half a word. WhS was
the lady? Come, Charley; confessions
good for the conscience"
Tell me what you want me to con-
'fess. and perhaps may do it. I'm all
in the dark"
"Oh, of course" mockingiy returned
Peter Chester. But a truce to jesting,
old fellow" he added in a different tone
why need you keep 1t so quiet? Who
was the lady?'
What ladyT
That you escorted last night to the
Haymarket. Grand tier: first row.
II was not at the Haymarket last
night" returned Charles.
"Oh, but you were," answered Peter
Chester, with an emphasis that unmis-
takably pronounced his own belief n it,
Hear me a minute, Chester" quietly
returned Charles. II have this evening
been pretty nearly persuaded out Of my
own identity, and / don't care to enter
upon another discussion Of a simluar ma
ture. have told you that Tomkins
was with me last night until elueven
O'Clock, and / told you the truth. I did
not stir out of my chambers, and by a
quarter past eleven / was in bed"
When we assert thing in good faith,
It is somewhat annoying to find the as
sertion received doubtfulluy. Peter Ches-
ter stared at Charles. He knew him to be
truthful: but he did not believe him now
and Charles saw he didn't.
Charles stayed with him until ten
O'Clock, and then went home to his cham
bers, letting himself in with his latch
key.
CHAPTER XIX.
Early the following morning, while