Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-04-03
"Where is he now. sirY'

Richard shrugged his shoulders.
"Dld-dld you kill him. sir?" feebly
began the unfortunate Bills again. feel
ing a sudden and lunaccountable
draft blowing on his spine. a..r
well, no." said Richard dreamily.
81 didn't. That's the funny part OF It.
I tied him to tree and shot away
portions of him that didn't count"
Count, sir?" tI.
"Yes. parts that are not vital. you
understand-such as ears and fingers
and kneecaps and things like that.
Why. you wouldn't believe It Bills,
but you can chip away at man for
half day II you're only careful. You
see, had plenty of leisure time on my
hands--almost as much as have now
so there wasn't any hurry and rush
about it. That was n rife. had
hatful OF cartridges and an extra gun
to use when the other got too hot for
quick firing. A double acting revolver
is better for household use.' iF
Once more Richard paused to laugh,
twlrling his gun around airily in his
quick fingers in retrospective Joy.
"Oh, sayw he cried. you just
ought to have heard that fellow when
began to pick or his knuckle bones.
Knuckle bones. you know. seem to be
very sensitive TO sudden shock, and in
this particular instance had no
earthly cause to complain. Perhaps
you are wondering how I could shoot
so accurately Well. I'll tell you"
Richard leaned forward and conhded
In a pleased whisper. Il had just oiled
my gum ....
Bills now began to sober up with
astonishing rapldity. His putty-like
complexion had grown grayer still,
while his eyes were watery, wandering
about in the fruitless hope of detecting
some avenue OF escape. Even his hair
seemed to stir restlessly on his head,
and a feeling Of weakness and nausea
came over him. .,..-
"Wot-wot became of the gentleman.
sirg' he asked. with a choky click in
his voice
Gentleman" repeated Richard alb
sently. what gentleman
IVY, the-target gentleman, sir. the
one as was losin parts of 'isself that
don't count. Mr.. Williams. sir, |
| mean
"oh, yes, yes!" laughed the Texan.
81 was thinking of something else.
/ You mean my contract man? | don't
remember exactly. He was alive when
l left him, believe, but rather think
the crows got him in the end" There
was another pause, in which Richard
/ listened intently. "Ahr' he exclaimed
81 believe | hear Miss Renwyck com
ing downstairs. Hadn't you better see
/ her before we go for our ride?"
Bills breathed hard, thought fol
awhile, then looked up timidly.
an lord
Don't call me my lord" said Rich
ard so sharply that the servant nearly
fell out of his chair 81 have no righ
70 that title now-since we've parted
company No; I'm just plain Mr. WI
liams, COW puncher, man eater. any
thing you like except an English noble
man"
"But-but-m' lord" persisted Bills
rising unsteadlly and becoming the re
spectful servant once more, Il dom
want to, leave you, sir Candid, Mr.
Williams. sir, III serve you faithful
deed will. 1t was only the drlnl
wot made me forgit meself, Lord WI
liams, sir-I mean-good Gawd! NJ lord
you won't think Of shootin' at my
knuckle bones when l was only foolin'
isir-when"-
"oh. is that itY' Richard interrupted
at was 4 joke. thenT
Yes, sir"
My! What delicate humor yo,
Engiishmen havel Am to under
stand that you will continue to be IN,
servant on the original terms of agree
ment?"
1T would make me 'appy, m lord
oh, so 'appy!'