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

stupid at such things really. you
know. abominable. 1t is rather the
duty OF q guest to comply with the
wishes OF his hostess. and / feel 1t In
cumbent upon me to make trial or
the role, even II the outcome holds me
up to open ridicule. We Englishmen
appear a bit eccentric to Americans. l
am fully aware, but nevertheless II
hurts at times when"--f Mgl ~
He paused and looked at his plate in
deep confusion. Miss Harriet blushed
furiously. She had wounded her guest
uawittingiy and was sincerely sorry.
lord Croyland, she thought, was act
Ing very nobly In thus sacrificing him
self for the sake of her foolish whims.
ana she ought to have consulted him
first Of ALL She made up her mind at
once and turned to him impulsiyely. d,
Lord Croyland." she said, II beg
you to believe me when l say that
never thought for an Instant Of hold
ing you up 10 ridicule. Won't you for
give me? II, was splendid Of you to
agree, and--there-we won't have the
play at ALI" vusg
"But. my dear Miss Renwyck," Rich
ard protested.T should feel frightful-
ly cut up II you abandoned II on my
account DO go on with It. Perhaps
shan't be no jolly bad after all. II
All four ladies' Immediately took up
the cudgels against him until his polite
protests grew weaker and weaker.
finally subsiding In suggestion that
relieved the situation from every point
OF view o a 11 un
"why not have Mr. Van der Awe do
the part1' he asked, with q beaming
smile directed at that young gentle
man You'd do II splendidly, old
chap. and shall BE- uncommonly
obliged to you"
Amid chorus OF approval the young
lover accepted biushingly. while Rich
ard not only freed himself of hate
full task. but became Z hero and a
genius In the eyes Of the entire party.
As they passed out OF the dining
room Cornelius plucked Richards
sleeve and whispered:
"see, here; I thought you said you
couldn't actT ,..
Cant" returned the Texan. with n
. sly wink. "rhat was Whist you Amer
leans call blum, but II you let on I'll
/ wiring your neck" d' 90
The Earl OF Croyiand pro TEN. pro.
, cceded to his rooms with the object
of arraylng himself in certain riding
, suit In the wardrobe Of the Earl Of
, Croylsnd. In sctu. which would have
made COW puncher snort with dis
, dain, but which Richard In his pres
, ent state OF mind rather longed for.
Certainly he had no fault to find either
/ | with his prototypes taste or tailor.
On entering his dressing room he was
greeted by n sight which fairly took
/ his breath away. and he was not easily
surprised, either, In a corner opposite
the door stood q handsome morris
chair. In the chair sprawled Mr.. Wool
: sey Bills holding a tumbler In one hand
/ and Richards brandy flask In the 9th
I er. One-third OF the original contents
+. was still In the glass; the other two
= thirds was obviously In Bills, for that
worthy smiled pleasantly at his mas.
Q ter and made no attempt to rise or to
I apologize for his extraordinary con
+ duct
u Richards first impulse was to take
the offender by the scrufr OF the neck
I aud kick him soundly through his
!, hosts barohlal halls, repeating the AT
i. tentlon until his valet reached II point
: somewhere beyond the RenwyCks
| front gate, but on second thought he
changed his mind First and foremost
+. he wanted Information. The kicking
{ could be postponed. There would be
@ time enough for that later
g "Wcll, Bills" he began, with dash
n OF sarcasm In his voice, FOR recently
employed servant you seem to be- doing
n remarkably wcll"t
o Yes. SIR" returned the valet, witt
Q the utmost complacence; I'm doiu
y nicely, thank you" lie helped himself
20 another pahulum OF liquid cheer ant
h held the glass between hss eye uut
}. the light Nlhls ere brandy. sir, Is
equal good as wet we as Oh the othei
K side Your judgmehCs better than tn,
g earrs, sir. You 'ealth.> sir"
Il Rlchard stuffed his cllRched hand
deep into his pockets, striving with al
L his might TO keep them from the i'm
L pudent rasc0rs collar. What did 6
} meany However there was nothing {,
be gained by violence, while mucl
J. could be learned through the exerciS,
l. OF little tact Therefore he e,lrbe,
IL his rage aud spoke Calmly. lt Bin
had known the Texan better he woul,
Is have realized that when he was mos
e, quiet he was most dangerous
4 might | inquire as 70 the reason O
a your present condtionr asked hi
master.
W Yes" answered Bills airily bu
"a nevertheless in quite open defiance
!, me an you as got to part company
Mr. Williams"
m "Ah"
A, Yes. sir"
u. The mnrder was ont. The man
manner OF address Implied man,
N things which Richard was as Quick 4