Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1908-03-14
CHAPTER XXII.-(Continued.)

The boy, who at first sight of ORourke
mad expected to be hailed with friendly
boisterousness and treated to a free seat
ON the patriots shoulder, had not known
what to make of him under his new as
pect, and after waiting for 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 fore6nger. He was still con-
cealed when the Spy and his companion
entered.
"Engaged?" said Zeno, with an oddly
foreign gayety which had distinguished
him for a week past. The good Frost
and l 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 4 delighted laugh.
"Mr. Zeno p he cried, and danced out
from behind his window curtain.
The spy turned and stopped with
horrible threatening face, both hands
drawn back and apart, with the fingers
working. The boy fell back, frightened
and wondering. O'Rourke by 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 a
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
sstimable old acquaintance leaning against
tho wall with a face made ghastly by
terror. and both hands cropping helplessly
outside his coat in the region of his heart
my dear little Austin" said O'Rourke
IN bis silkfest 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 = very wicked man, and
this IL . very nice gentleman indeed"
II don't like him." said the boy, shrink
ing into O'Rourke's arms II liked Mr.
Zeno."
This u 4 very nice gentleman, indeed,
said O'Rourke. What made you thinl
he was Mr.. Zeno, AustinT'
II didn't" said little Austin, rubbing
his eyes with his knuckles. Il thought
heard Mr.. Zeno speak"
What a funny mistake! I" he said. 81.
shouldn't tell that to anybody IL l wer
you. People would think that was quit
silly, wouldn't they?"
YES" assented little Austin.
Over the little fellows innocent colder
head, O'Rourke looked at Frost and Zenc
Monsieur" he said placidly. speakin
in French that the child might not un
derstand him, and choosing his phrases t
that end, because Austin had mastered
few phrases of the language at Jan Nnnt
al have never met more striking exam
pie of infantile perspicacity. / am pre-
digiously indebted to our young frien
and shall probably profit a little by thi
brilliant stroke of his"
There were five or ten minutes Of blan
silence, and then Dobroski, opening th
door, looked in and nodded smiingly q
his three friends.
Good morning. gentlemen. will joi
you Immediately. Come this way, des
little one. Your father is going ava
now. Let me see. l think l have som
where a packet OF bonbons. Little poop
like bonbons, Ell? Sometimes old gentl
men eat bonbons also. l do. All. yc
find that droll? l will be with you in
mediately, gentlemen"
The smiling old man led the chi
away, and closed the door with bow.