Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-03-06
CHAPTER xx11-tCOntinued.)

CHAPTER XXII.--(C ontinued.)
The boy, who at first sight Of O'Rourke
had expected to be hailed with q friendly
beisterousness and treated to a free seat
on the patriots shoulder, had net known
what to make Of him under his new as
peet, and after waiting fer some time to
be noticed, had betaken himself to one Of
the windows which looked upon the street.
There he wound himself up in a window
curtain and drew upon the dusty panes
with his forefnger. He was still con-
cealed when the spy and his companion
entered.
'EngagedT said Zeno, with an oddly
foreign gayety which had distinguished
him for a week past 1.-THE good Frost
and are little before our time. We
will wait. We will wait. That Is but
little trouble"
Close on this rang out the boys clear
treble in a delighted laugh.
Mr.. Zenop he cried, and danced out
from behind his window curtain.
The spy turned and stopped with a
horrible threatening face, both hands
drawn back and apart, with the fingers
working. The boy fell back, frightened
and wondering. O'Rourke by a mere
impulse seized the spy by the shoulder
and dragged him back. Zeno's hand went
like lightning to his breast pocket and
stayed there, and he fixed an eye like q
serpent's on O'Rourke. The patriot drop
ped his own hand and smiled. Whatever
else he was, he had never been a coward
in his life.
He glanced at Frost, and saw that
estimable old acquaintance leaning against
the wall with a face made CHASTITY by
terror, and both hands CROPPING helplessly
outside his coat in the region of his heart.
MY dear little Austin" said O'Rourke
In his silkiest voice, come here. You
are frightened" He sat down and took
the child upon his knee. What made
you take this gentleman for Mr.. ZenO?
Mr.. Zeno was a very wicked man, and
this is a very nice gentleman indeed"
II don't like him." said the boy, shrink
ing into O'Rourke's arms. II liked Mr..
Zeno."
This is very nice gentleman indeed, "
said O'Rourke. 'What made you think
he was Mr.. Zeno, Austin?"
Il didn't" said little Austin, rubbing
his eyes with his knuckles. II thought
heard Mr.. Zeno speak"
what funny ulbllKe ne bdlu. i
shouldn't tell that to anybody if were
you. People would think that was quite
silly, wouldn't they"
YES" assented little Austin.
Over the little fellows innocent golden
head, O'Rourke looked at Frost and Zeno
Monsieur" he said placidly, speaking
In French that the child might not un.
derstand him, and choosing his phrases tt
that end, because Austin had mastered q
few phrases of the language at Janenne
II have never met more striking exam
pie of infantile perspicacity. l am pro
digfously indebted to our young frient
and shall probably profit little by this
brilliant stroke Of his."3
There were five or ten minutes of blanl
silence, and then Dobroski, opening tn,
door, looked in and nodded smilingly a
his three friends.
Good morning, gentlemen. l will joir
you Immediately. Come this way, deal
little one. Your father Is going ava!
now. Let me see. / think have some
where packet of bonbons. Little peopl,
like bonbons, ehf Sometimes old gentle
men eat bonbons also. / do. All, you
find that droll? l will be with you i'm
mediately, gentlemen"
The smiling old man led the chile
away, and closed the door with a bow.