The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-10-05
CHAPTER XVII.

warfare with the world. 1t all mattered
30 little now that he fought listlessly.
He was gayer than ever in manner, and
more sympathetically charming than ever.
for he bad time to cultivate the friendly
emotions. The little widow stayed on in
Houfoy and kept her own secret.
Maskelyne came striding upstairs with
q supernatural gravity Of expression. This
changed for one moment to q delightful
smile when O'Rourke ran out to the land
ing place to meet him, and with both
hands outstretched In friendly welcome
my dear old fellow !" said O'Rourke
"Not tired of England yet? l have an
Idle hour or two to-day, and had re-
solved to come round and take a look at
you"
upon my word" said Maskelyne, you
are a man to be envied. You have the
power of benefiting your fellow creatures.
You are like fresh air."
O'Rourke laughed breezily, and took
stock of his friend with smiling eyes. He
saw that Maskelyne was pale, and almost
haggard.
Come" he said. 1T strikes me that
well, old fellow"
'O'Rourke, I'm going to surprise you"
"Are your asked O'Rourke.
II am causing some unnecessary anx-
Lefty to the authorities Of Scotland Yard"
said Maskelyne. IT think It's In conse-
quence of my having been a good deal
with Dobroski Of late. At any rate 1
am being watched. My goings out and
comings In are observed with constant
vigilance"
Stupid beggars," said O'Rourke, with
friendly petulance. "Abominably annoy
ing, isn't 1t"
II, don't know" returned Maskelyne.
ut makes me feel nice and safe. But
1t is not worth while to cocker up a mere
private citizen of the United States In
that way. The old country is well to do,
but she can't afford 1t. And don't think
] should feel humbled any way II my
bodyguard got told of to some one else
who was more In want Of It,"
"I'll stop all that for you,"< Said
O'Rourke
There's a good fellow" answered Mas
kelyne, and fell into silence.
At this instant the knocker on the hall
door was brought into play with violence.
There was an audible whirl and scurry In
the hall as the housemaid ran to the
door to answer this unusual summons,
and second or two later a voice cried
% loudly that O'Rourke and his compan-
ion heard 1t.
be telling me he's not, for know he Is.
I'll find the way myself"
''That is Fraser" said Maskelyne.
y -.
asked. Steps flying up the staircase, and
Fraser, perspiring and pale, burst into
the room, holding In his left hand a news
paper and a walking stick. He closed
the door behind him, nodded strangely
to Maskelyne, and then, striding to
o'Rourke, thrust the journal he carried
into his face, and fourishing his stick
as II he were trying the temper of q
foil, cried, Look at that, We voiper!
O'Rourke, with look of wonder, tool
the journal and retired a pace.
"OhoP' cried Fraser, rolling his head
ut his ancient comrade so theoretically
that he rolled his hat off. Don't b
making your faces of innocence at me
Hector O'Rourke. Maybe ye didn't writ,
thatf Come, now. Maybe ye didn'
write 1T Well, ye're a loyar, for writ
II We did. And here's the manuscript II
your own dirty fist, ye smiling snake.
He tugged little rolled-up bundle o
paper from his breast pocket and stoo'
In a white heat Of passion, fourishing !
and the stick. O'Rourke smiled witt
less than his usual Spontaneous charm, an
Maskelyne set himself between the two
"Ye needn't fear" said Fraser. "I'll no
soil me hands with the dirty coat Of him
For tew pins" he added, turning aney
upon O'Rourke, "I'd cleave the life on
Of ye."
"This seems likely to be a private al
Z fair" said Maskelyne, In his quiet way
"and I won't NEEDLE with It But wei
have no fighting"
"Private, begorra !" cried Fraser, snort
ing. "It's that private there's a roun
nfty thousand copies printed at the yer
least. Would ye believe It. now, Ma:
kelynef I put It to you. Ye're not th
smartest man alive. but ye're a man Q
honor, and / put 1t to you. Here's thl
dirty villain. here, has been going abou
with me for years and damaging mo
reputation by calling me his friend an
borrowing money from me by the handf,
whenever I had a sixpence In me pocl
etc, and all the tonne he's been attackin
me anonymously. I've had him bring th
orticles-the very articles he's write
land wonder at me who was the blagyar
that wrote 'em, and making innocent oys
and swearing he'd Ike to know the vi
lain that did It."
"Come, come, Fraser" said o'Rourk
"don't make q mountain out Of mo
hill"
There was something In this repl
which. 90 exasperated Fraser that, b,
for Maskelyne's interpretation, he woul
then and theirs have assaulted O'Rourk
"Ill mole hill the villain |" cried FIR,
ser. "I'll mountain him r. He struggle
to get past Maskelyne, who held hi
back with an unexpected strength ar
adroitness aye take that ruffian's par
do YEP he said, suddenly ceasing his q
forts. ''Then disown ye. Ye're 1
friend Of mine"
my dear Fraser" returned Mask
lyme. II am taking your part as much
O'Rourke's. know nothing Of the me
It's of the quarrel, but you shan't fg
hatx