Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-04-03

mo, SIR"
mo more brandyr .
"And you win obey me Implicitly in
everythingT II
II will, SO 'elp me.' - ~ =
can right" smiled the Texan. 'TI
Igive you an order as a starter. Just
Iget those new riding boots of Lord
lCroyland's, will you. and put them on
l-break them in for me? may be out
for several hours. : You will walk up
land down in them until return"
-'But-but" protested Bills, them
boots is too small for you, sir-I mean,
your lordship-an' my foot is bigger'n
yours, sir" .. - --
'1 know that perfectly" answered
Richard pleasantly. Singular how Bills
had never before recognized how
pleasant his master could be! "We1l
kill two birds with one stone. Not
only will you break those boots for
me, but per contra at the same time
you may be reminded OF what 1t means
to break a contract with me. Am |
clear"
The valet sat limp and speechless
he made no move to obey the harsh
command.- so Richard turned, on his
heeb crossed to the window and stood
boxing out among the trees.
"Bills,"- he asked presently, y''haye
you noticed how many crows are fly.
hg about the place? never observed
them before."T 1o - $50 =
Eyes. yes. m 'lordv the servant gasp
3D. "I've noticed 'em frequent, sir,
in'-an', awskin' your pardon, sir. I'm
4 ready to put the boots on .t..
II Richard watched the operation in
/ grim enjoyment. The fit was "A tight
l one, but Bills accomplished the feat
at last, though the ,perspiration came
out on his forehead in copious profu-
sion.
THANK YOU" said the Texan simply
and departed without giving any fur
ther directions.
He enjoyed his ride with Miss Har-
riet hugely. For three long, blissful
hours he cantered with her ON beautl-
full country roads, where the air was
sweet and inVigorating. where the
scent of Yildfowerscame TO them-ana
the fraxApcsof theewild wbod4 sweet
er still in the deepening dusk A hun
dred times he was. on the verge of
confessing all, Of throwing himself up
on the mercy Of her gentleness, but a
warning something held him In check,
and In spite of his impulses-like the
sailor In the 0pera-he remained an
Englishman. Once, she turned to, him
with sparkling eyes.
''Do you know" she said, there are
times when you remind me SO of a
man chaneed to meet that-that''-
I THE cowboyr Richard asked.
Iu She made no answer, but flushed and
gave free rein to her eager horse, while
the Texan spurred after her, laying
firm hand upon her bride arm.
"And II l We're he, would it make "a
difference then-a difference, / mean,
in winning your respect and trust,
and"--I FMS prl BaG T.
r "How absurd you arer' she laughed
in swift interruption. "Have l not Civ
en- you both already? Ny cowboy is
but memory. and you-why. gracious,
how late It's getting!. We, shall never
be in time for dinner! Gomez
If Richard and Miss Harriet enjoyed
their afternoon. the same could not be
said OF Bills. For three long hours
the servant did penance for his sins,
knowing not which ached the most
his head. his heart or his tender feet
10 walk was agony. To sit was to
suffer with gnawing. burning heat
that ever increased as, his feet began
to swell. At the end of the first half
hour he determined to run away, to
hide himself somew here IN the wilder.
ness Of New York. where his master
might seek for him in vain. Immedi-
ately. however. stumbling block pre-
sented itself To get into the boots
had been difficult. To get out OF them
proved TO be an utter impossibility.
and to- run anywhere with such an
agoniZing handicap was out OF tne
question. True. he might have cut
them off, but in view of the thought Of
crows and knuckle bones he preferred
to bear his martyrdom. y
Richard found him seated ion the
edge Of the bathtub. with his feet in
half an inch Of warm water--a mutt
neer reduced. like his boots, to a pitt
able pulp.
Hello. Woolsey." Richard asked
cheerfully, whats up?"
M lord."l the valet walled. "for
Gawd's sake, 'elp me. sir, for I'd
rather ave you shoot me in the parts
wot doesn't count than wear these ere
blasted boots fer another minute, Mr..
Williams, sir, II you'll be SO good"
"That'n cost me n pair of boots TO
Croyland." thought Richard over his
cigar as he dismissed the wretched
valet to seek relief below stairs. "But
rather think it was money well
spent"