Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-06-25

again. The effect Of the brandy as
wearing or rapidly on account OF his
growing fear.
"You-you don't expect TO ave no
immeiit use for that ere thing. 10
you, Mr. Willlamsf"
Don't know" said Richard rncon
cernedly. II might, and then. again. |
might not 1t depends. Pretty little
toy. isn't IT." Bills licked his lips ard
said nothing. The Texan continued
you see, | always try to keep IL in
working order, because you can never
tell when you've got to whip ii out and
| get down to real enjoyable work.
Why, you really wouldn't believe il.
Bills, but ! haven't shot a man since
left Texas-two whole weeks" he
added despondently, shook his head
and then began dripping oil in the pis-
tolls lock.
II suppose" said the valet, by way
OF filling in the gap Of another pause.
Il suppose that down were you live.
sir, they-they don't mind-er-mur.
derin' Of people, Mr.. Williams, sirY'
"shucksw laughed Richard. Whats
a man or two? A bang-a yell-and
It's all over. OF course they die hard
sometimes, but that's their affair"
The irresponsible person took up his
whistling once more, while the muz-
zle Of his carelessly held gun seemed
to point persistently at the pit of the
Wallets stomach, In which. by the way.
there was growing queerly respon-
sive feeling.
BEG pardon, sir, but-but ii isn't
loaded. is itT'
mot yet" smiled Richard. "T'n at.
tend to that later. Besides, wouldn't
hurt you, my boy; no. not for f3OO-
cash down"
The sum was not large one. yet the
particular amount seemed to crate
upon the servants sensitiveness. He
cast a longing glance toward the door.
but the Texan was already filing the
chambers of his revolver, so Bills per-
force sat still and watched him, expert
encing separate and distinct spasm
as each cartridge nestled into its crib.
Richard laughed softly, as at some
pleasurable memory.
by the way, Friend Woolsey,
don't know why think Of II just now,
but a mighty funny thing happened
down in Texas a couple of years ago
l had contract with a fellow-chap
about your size and age as | remember
him, with a charming disregard for
keeping promises similar to yours. He
broke his contract"
In the awkward pause which follow
ed the surviving partner In the deal
drew fine bead on the tassel OF the |
window curtain and smiled
Where is he now, sirP'
Richard shrugged his shoulders.
"Did-did you kill him, SIR" feebly |
began the unfortunate Bills again, feel
ing a sudden and uhaccountable |
draft blowing on his spint
well, no." said Richaid dreamily. |
II didn't. That's the funny part of It.
tied him to tree and shot away
portions of him that didn't CONT"
"Count. sir?''
"Yes. parts that are not vital, you
understand-such as ears and fingers
and kneecaps and things like that
Why, you wouldn't believe 1t. Bills.
but you can chip away at man for
half day If you're only careful You
see, I had plenty of leisure time on my
as much as I have now
80 there wasn't any hurry and rush
about 1t. That was a rife had a
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"
Once more Richard paused to laugh,
twirling his gun around airily in his
quick fingers In retrospective joy.
"Oh, sayw he cried "Ydu Just
ought to have heard that fellow when
began to pick or his knuckle bones.
Knuckle bones, you know. seen to be
very sensitive to sudden shock. and in
this particular instance | had no
earthly cause to complain. Perhaps
you are wondering how could shoot
80 accurately. Well, I'll tell you"
Richard leaned forward and confided
In pleased whisper II had just oiled
my gun"
Bills now began to sober Up with
rapidity. His putty-Iike
had grown grayqr still,
while bis eyes were watery. wandering
about In the fruitless hope OF detecting
some avenue of escape. Even his hair
seemed to stir restlessly on his bead.
md feeling Of weakness and nausea
,ame over him.
~Wot--wot became of the gentleman.
sir?" be asked, with choky click In
bis voice.
"GentlemanY 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. III
'Oh, yes. vest" laughed the Texan.
Il was thinking Of something else.
You mean my contract man? don't
exactly. He was alive when
left him, believe. but rather think
the crows got him In the end" There
was another pause, in which Richard
listened intently. ABR he exclaimed.
7 believe / hear Miss Renwyck COM
ng downstairs. Hadn't you better see
her before we 60 for our rider"
Bulls breathed hard, thought for
while. then looked up timidly.
M lord
Don't call me my lord" said Rich