The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-11-28
v.
III BLOW FALLS.

III BLOW
Dinner, that night. was anything but
a cheerful meal; In fact, it was evident
that the house party possessed that
fagonlsm. Drysdale n Grace Croy-
don maintained a careful silence, and
Mrs. Delroy was so obviously depressed
that her husband was alarmed.
II don't believe this stay in the coun-
try Is doing you a bit of good, Edith"
he observed.
She smiled YEARLY in answer to his
anxious look. .,
II don't feel very well. tonight" she
said. Il think I shall lie down right
after dinner" &A
Il would" he agreed. >t"You must
save yourself all you can. 1 can't have
you getting III, you know If I'd had
n sense, I'd have got away from that
New York whirl a month ago"
TIM not going to be i'll" she assured
him: I'll be all right In atday or two"
As soon as the meal was over, she
n her sister disappeared upstairs
while the men lighted their cigars inc
etrolled down to the boathouse to view
n preparations made by the Grahams
for h protection of the necklace. The
night was very close, with a promise Of
rain u~nmistakabie.
They went through the b~oathouse
without finding anyone. but on the pier
beyond old Graham was sitting, gazing
across the water n smoking an odor-
ferrous pipe. Between his knees he
held a WINCHESTER repeater and a re-
volvcr butt stuck from a case at his
belt.
Delroy laughed quietly as he looked
at him.
why. you're a regular arsenal"
he said. You're taking it in earnest
for sure"
Might as well be on tn safe side,
SIR responded Graham sententiously.
"And where's the necklace?"
lowered from tn emo of tn pier,
mo chance OF it getting away"
II tied. tn knots, sir"
"A1l right-that settles it. You're
not going to sit out here all night. 1
hope?"
"Wlllum takes his trick at midnight.
sir. He's gone over L tn house {
bring a cot an some beddin' down T.
IA boathouse. Well take turn an turn
about"
We'll" said Delroy, turning away,
see l can sleep without worrying
any over the safety OF the necklace.
IL there's anything you want. Graham,
I'm the way OF eatables or drinkables,
don't hesitate to send to the butler for
them"
SU AtA0AAh NNp VI oul Il BuGSS we ii
let tn drinkables alone fer tn present.
Weh cook our w meals on TIL stove
In tn boathouse."
What do you want to do that for?"
We'll" returned Graham slowly,
"then We'll know that they amt moth
In In them tibet hadn't ought L be
there"
DeIroy laughed again, long and loud.
and even DrysdaIe smiled.
You've been reading a dime novel;"
cried Delroy, when he had got his
breath. 'Deadwood Dick-I didn't
think II OF you. Graham!"
II don't read nothin', sir. but tn
Moo York Record"
ITS the same thing" Delroy inter-
jected.
but / don't believe in takin' no
risks-when you come after tn neck
lace. sir. it's goin' t be right here"
Il haven't a doubt OF it," his employ
er assured aim. 1T would be a mighty
desperate thief who'd tackle you.
You're all right. Graham. But I'd go
into the boathouse If 1t rains"
It'll see about it, SIN" said Graham,
and refilled his pipe.
AS they passed through the boat
house again. they perceived young
"Willum" busily engaged in making UP
his bed on a cot 10 one corner. Del
roy nodded to him and passed on with
out speaking.
ITS too nice a night to spend in the
house" said Drysdale, a little abruptly,
as they mounted the steps to the door.
II believe I'll 20 for a tramp. I'll take
my %raincoat, though; then / needn't
hurry back"
81 didn't know y0L were such a lover
OF nature, Jack" observed Delroy.
'rm not: out l feel like tramping to-
night"
nalroy Sbr,,ooao HE sbo,I5on. -.
Drysdale entered the outer hall with
them and took down his raincoat from
the rack. Thomas, who was stationed
In the vestibuIe, helped him on with II.
"Goodby." he called from the door;
"don't look for mo for an hour or two
"All right. we won't worry" an
swered Delroy:: Though for my part"
he added. as he ana Tremaine went on
through the hall together. II prefer a
book Lkfore the fire, There's a chill in
the air that strikes through one after
a while. and Jaclx I. soon get enough OF
At. But I'd better go up and see how
my wife's getting along. You'll excuse
me-"
,Certalnly-and stay as long as YOU
like. I'm going to my room presently,
myself nave some letters to write"
Delroy nodded and went on up the
stair. Tremaine sank into one OF thu
chairs before the fire and watched the
blazing logs, with an expression in
tent, alert. rs though he were waiting
for someone.
A door opened and closed, a light
step crossed the hall, a hand was laid
upon III chair back. +"
.Oh," said Miss Croydon. II thought
where is Mr.. Drysdale?"
Tremaine arose slowly.
"Drysdale," he said, with a mean
ing look which did not escape her
A -..- ..rokaa q - ,.aCfat fha III "a ~ N,
the evening. He has zone for a walk
he said he would not be back for q
souple OF hours. Please sit down."