Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-11-29
V.
THE BLOW /

The BLOW FALLS
Dinner, that night, was anything but
a cheerful meal; In fact, it was evident
tina the house party possessed that
tagonism. Drysdale and Grace Croy
don maintained a careful silence, and
MRS. Delroy was so obviously depressed
that her husband was alarmed.
Il 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. II think / shall lie down right
after dinner"
Il would" he agreed. You must
save yourself all you can. l can't have
you getting III, you know. If I'd had
any sense I'd have got away from that
New York whirl a mont ago"
I'm not going to be ILL.," she assured
him; tn be all right in a day or two
AS soon as the meal was over, she
and her sister disappeared upstairs
while the men lighted their cigars and
strolled down to the ~boathouse to view
the preparations made by the Grahams
for the protection OF the necklace. The
night was very close, with a promise OF
rain unmistakable.
They went through the boathouse
without finding anyone, but on the pier
beyond old Graham was sitting, gazing
across the water and smoking an odor-
ferrous pipe. Between his knees he
held a Winchester repeater and q re-
Volver butt stuck from a case at his
belt.
Delroy laughed quietly as he looked
at him.
why, you're a regular arsenal"
ne said. You're taking 1t in earnest
for sure"
Might as well be on tn safe side.
sir" responded Graham sententiously.
And where's the necklace ?"
sir"
No chance of 1t getting away
Z Il tied tn knots, sir"
All right-that settles 1t. You're
not going to sit o Il here all night, /
bope?"
"Wilium takes his trick at midnight.
SIR. Hes gone over L tn house T.
bring a cot an some beddin' down T.
IN b~oathouse. Wen take turn an turn
about"
Well" said Delroy, turning away.
Il see / can sleep without worrying
any over the safety of the necklace.
III there's anything you want, Graham,
IN the way of eatables or drinkables.
'd7nt hesitate to send to the butler for
THANK zee, sir; but / guess wen
let IN drinkables alone fer tn present.
Wen cook our w meals on TIL stove
in tn boathouse."
What do you want to do that for?"
WELL" returned Graham slowly.
then Wen know that they ain't moth
In in them tibet hadn't ought t be
Delroy laughed again, long and loud.
and wen Drysdale smiled.
You've been reading a dime novel;"
cried Delroy, when he had got his
breath. "Deadwood Dick-I didn't
think 1t of you, Graham!"
Il don't read nothin'. sir, but tn
Noe York Record"
ITS the same thing" Delroy inter-
jected.
But l don't believe in takin' no
risks-when you come after tn neck
lace, sir, it's goin' { be right here"
Il haven't a doub. OF It," his employ
er assured him. 1T would be a mighty
desperate thief who'd tackle you.
You're all right. Graham. But I'd go
into the b~oathouse If 1t rains"
I'll see about 1t, sir" said Graham.
and refilled his piDe.
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.
IT'S too nice a night to spend In the
house. said Drysdale, a little abruptly,
as they mounted the steps 10 the door.
II believe III go for a tramp. IN take
my raincoat, though: then l needn't
hurry back"
Il didn't know y1L were such a lover
OF nature, Jack" observed DeIroy.
I'm not: but l feel like tramping to-
night"
Delroy shrugged his shoulders, as
Drysdale entered the outer nall with
them and took down his rainooat from
the rack. Thomas, who was stationed
in the vestibule, helped him on with IL.
'Goodby." he called from the door:
don't look for mo tor an hour or two!"
t'All right, W. won't worry" an
swered Delroy;. Though for my Ear"
he added. as he ana Tremaine went on
through the a 20 sether. II prefer a
book .efore the fire. Tnsre's a Grill In
the air that strikes through one AFT
a While, and Jack \ soon get enough OF
It.. But I'd better &c up and see how
wiss's gettia- Siong. You'll cxcus.
me-
"Ccrtaialy-and stay as long as you
like. I'm going 10 my room presently,
myself ta some letters 10 wr..e."
D1Iroy nodded and went on up the
STAIR. iftnlaihe SANK into n OF the
chairs before tnr tire and watched the
blazins ogs VITA an expression Ia
tent. alert. as thoIga he we're wait. ny
Tor sotrecne.
a door opened and closed. d Light
sop crossed the hall. a hand Was laid
upon the chair-back.
"Oh," said Miss Croydon. n khous-at
where Is Mr.. Drysdaie.
Trelnaine arose slowly.
"Drysdalc. he said VITA a mean
ang look urea did moi escape her
><Hes unabis q f0sdst The chartns &
the evening. lie ras gone for a walk
He said ne would rSyt be back Tor ,
couple Ct no>Ars- Please Vt down.