Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1908-01-04


manner of repeating the phrase which
made the repetition seem weighty. redec-
tive, and full of respect for Dobroski's
years and qualities. But" He paus-
ed with look of thought, and drummed
upon the table with his fingers.
"But-?" said Dobroski.
I'VE must not lose the cause. We must
not lose for want of little candor You
have laid your scheme before me-given
me facts, names, numbers. You tell me
that l have your perfect confidence, and
that l know now all you have to tell"
There are Details" answered Dob
roski-"countless details. But the main
facts are yours"
II am not dsputing, SIR" said
O'Rourke, with a smile which seemed to
say how impossible that would be. II
am only recapitulating. But you see,
Mr. Dobroski, l get these things from the
fountain-head, and am assured of their
verify But when you ask me to be your
emissary at home you forget that l have
neither your years. your frst-hand know-
edge, your history, nor your authority. In
short, I am Hector O'Rourke, and you
are John Debrosk. If l carry this pro-
digious scheme to the men in England
and in Ireland who would be ready to
receive it and to take part in it what
credentials have II"
Dobroski turned his mournful eyes full
upon O'Rourke and regarded him in 81
lence for a time. O'Rourke bore the
scrutiny with an admirable candor and
modesty.
THAT does not speak we'll for your
opinion of the scheme" said Dobroski,
after a noticeable pause. II know, and
no man knows better, that when we strike
we strike for life or death. l know that
single indiscretion may ruin us. l have
weighed the chances and counted the cost
for years"
II recognize the dangers, too" said
O'Rourke, but we must face them and
OUTAGE them" He spoke lightly, but
with an underlying resolve so clearly
indicated that there was no doubling him.
mo, it is not the danger of the scheme
that gives me pause. But it needed all
your close and intimate knowledge, all
the authority you carry in your name and
your career, to make the existence of so
vast plan seem possible. l accept the
scheme" he said, wildly. half rising from
his seat. II bind myself to it without
reserve. Win or lose But, except upon
the fullest exposition, l would not have
taken it. Except upon the oftiest au
thority, 1 would not have given credence
to it. No, Mr.. Dobroski, you must come
yourself to England. Leave me behind
to work as your lieutenant there, if you
think me worthy of the post, but come
yourself and bear the news and make the
| first appeal"
II will co. said Dobroski, "if you
think it needful"
II think it actually needful," O'Rourke
answered. II will write and will make
arrangements. We had better not travel
together"
Good" said Dobroski. II will start
tonight. The longer the interval be-
tween my going and your following the
less cause to suspect that we have a COM
mon errand. Perhaps l can be doing
something in the meantime. l may tell
your friend Mr.. Frost that the plan car
ried your adherence with it? Your entire
approval?"
That 1T carries my entire approval
with it," O'Rourke answered, slowly and
precipitate, because it promises cool and
cautious preparation, and good general
ship"
you think he stands in need of that
warning?"
Most of us stand in need of it." said
O'Rourke. I'VE are too eager. We fritz
ter our chances on affairs of outposts.
That has always been our trouble"
| Il understand" said Dobroski. II will
not forget your warning. But now, sir,
l will say farewell. We shall meet again
in a little while, l trust. We have not
seen much of each other as yet, but l am
not slow~to read a true man, and | know
that have done well in trusting you.
have fought ih-this war for now this forty
years and more. We have done but little,
but at last the hour is coming, and all
will soon be done or undone."
| When he first said farewell he took
O'Rourke by the hand and held him so
until he had spoken his last word.
O'Rourke looked back into the sad and
passionate eyes that gazed into his own,
and his glance was affectionate and wor-
shipful.
The little toy train at the toy railway
station at Panenne was getting up steam
to be gone, and was making as much noise
of preparation as if it had thousand
miles before it. Dobroski emerged from
the doorway of the Cheval Blanc, followed
by stout female domestic, who bore a
portmanteau in either hand. The old
man caught sight Of O'Rourke and bowed
to him. O'Rourke returned the salute,
and turning round when Dobroski had
disappeared, saw Austin at his open win
dow.
Farley" he said, II believe our old
revolutionist is leaving us. He has just
gone off TO the station with couple Of
portmanteaus. Has he said nothing to