Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1908-01-25


is well that everybody should be warned
Of him.
"Of course" returned Frost, trembling
in his limbs and speaking with shake
in his voice. "He seems to be danger
GUS sort of fellow"
Dobroski mounted the staircase in ST.
lence, and entered Frosts room in obedi-
ence to wave of the hand from the regu-
lar occupant. Frost followed in time to
see Zeno turn in his armchair and look
at the newcomer with a casual air. This
was succeeded by start of surprise, and
Zeno arose slowly and as if unconsciously
from his seat
This" said Frost, who, knew not
what to make of Zeno's airs, and was
newly frightened by them-''this is Mr..
Dobroski." He was vainly casting about
in his mind for Zenos alias, when Zeno
himself relieved him.
II knew it." cried the spy, in English,
and then with sudden forward rush he
threw himself at Dobroskis feet, and
seizing one of his ankles in both hands,
kissed his boot again and again, with
wild, gurgling calculations which meant
nothing to Frosts ears, but stood in
Polish for "Angel PreserverI Patriot
Father" and variety OF expressions of
worship and affection. Dobroski tried to
withdraw his foot from this unexpected
worshiper's grasp, but Zeno held on tight
| ly, and the old man submitted after
while, but looked round on Frost with
questioning air which set that traitorous
parsonage at his wits end.
Come" said Frost, STOPPING to seize
Zeno, as the best way of hiding his en-
barrassment. Don't you think you've
done about enough of that? It's no lux
ury for Mr.. Dobroski to have you licking
his boots like dog"
Zeno went on kissing and gurgling for
second or two, and then allowed Frost
| to drag him to his feet. The old man
had walked by muddy ways, and his wor-
Slippers countenance bore signs of con-
tact with the boot. To Frost's utter
anazement, tears were coursing down the
spys fat white cheeks.
Il declare % said the Irish-American,
in bewilderment, as he shook Zeno by
the shoulders, whats the matter with
the MANI"
what is the matter?" demanded Zeno,
turning upon him with smeared and tear
full face and tragic gesture. Behold the
preserver of my life my fathers preserv-
er, my mothers, the patriot, the chief,
the idol, the god, of my unhappy coun-
try! !"
With this he fell into chair near the
table, and dropping both arms across the
table and his head upon his arms gave
himself up to conclusive sobbing.
II do not recall your friend said Dob
roski, looking toward Frost.
NO" cried Zeno, raising his head to
his fellow scoundrels intense relief. II
am of Warsaw. My name is Wroblews-
koff. Marco. 1t is thirty years ago.
l was but lad"
He spoke in Polish, and Dobroski's
look of inquiry gave way to one of pleas
ure and welcome.
II remember" he said-"I remember"
He stretched out hand to Zeno and the
rascal took it and kissed it.
my mother blessed you with her dy-
ing BREATH" he said. my father died
in exile, blessing you. My sisters chill
dren cherish your memory and pray for
you nightly"
The bewildered Frost asked himself
repeatedly whether the thing were true or
false. Dobroski released himself from
the spy's grasp and walked to the window,
and looked out on the rainy night. Then
Ieno turning upon Frost, began In Eng
fish story of the utmost circumstance,
which he related with so natural an emo
i ton and so complete an air of veracity
that it was hard to dis5elieve him, though
the listener was certain he was lying.
Once or twice at the mention of a name,
Dobroski turned and asked after the his>
tory of its owner.
Frost was eager and yet afraid to be
alone with Dobroski. He had been horri-
bly, frightened all along. When Zeno
had seemed to stand on the edge of a
fatal blunder in respect to his wife's ma
tionality, his blood had suddenly run cold,
and he had eyed Dobroski in an agony of
apprehension.
Perhaps you don't know" said Frost,
addressing his fellow rascal, what sort
of muss you've got your features into.
You'd better take one of them candles
into the next room and get wash there
Zeno glanced at himself in the dis
colored glass above the mantelpiece, and
feigning to be surprised by what he saw
there, took up candle and retired. As
he entered the bedchamber he stumbled
against chair, and in putting IL out of
the way propped the door open with it.
Frost approached Dobroski
Il don't quite make out this news OF
yours, sir" he said, half whispering
You say Zeno is in London. Who has
seen him?''
HE was seen and recognized at Char
ing Cross station by two Of the breth-
rem" returned Dobroski. "Unhappily he
was missed and lost in the crowd. They
saw him take cab, but In the confusion
they followed the wrong vehicle"
Frost, standing with his back to the
irht dared to look into Dohroski,a auear