The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-04-10

found that morris chair to be very
comfortable indeed. You were enjoy
Big It when came NJ Don't let me
spoil your afternoon. Try it again."
The valet, still wondering and IN
certain, took the indicated seat. mar
rowly watching his master while IL
Texan crossed the room. returning
the table with n small ewdriver !!
a formidable revolver. He seated H.
self and begun taking the weaoon
pieces. oilinc each part carefully y
then running 81 greasy rag throug1
barrel. Bills became more and
interested in this singular and t.
unfamiliar proceeding. but Richard
fered no explanation of his unusual
cupation. After five minutes OF ut'
silence the valet could stand the str
no longer.
! "Er-beg pardon sir" he asked. NJ
the tremor In his voice Indicated L.
uneasiness, "but wot are you a-do.n
of, sir?"
Cleaning my gum" returned Rich
ard laconically. What did you think
I was doing-shavingW
"O-ohw said Bills and lapsed into
silence.
Richard began to whistle. 1t was a
merry, happy little tune, but somehow
1t got on the Wallets nerves. His mind
commenced to work and draw infer
ences. The gun had very unsympa-
thetic look, which was lessened in no
degree by the six enormous cartridges
that the worker placed before him on
the table. He wished that the Texan
had not placed himself so as to COM
mand the only exit from the room.
Presently the nervous Bills spoke
again. The effect of the brandy was
wearing off rapidly on account of his
growing fear
"You-you don't expect to ave no
! immejit use for that ERE thing, do
you, Mr.. Wllliams?"
Don't know" said Richard uncon-
cernedly. II might, and then, again,
might not. 1t depends. Pretty little
toy, isn't it?" Bills licked his lips and
said nothing. The Texan continued:
'YOu see, 1 always try to keep it in
working order, because you can never
tell when you've got to whip it out and
get down to real enjoyable work.
Why, you really wouldn't believe N,
Bills, but l haven't shot man since
left Texas-two whole weeks" he
added despondently, shook his head
and then began dripping OF. in the pis-
tolls lock-
II suppose" said the valet, by way
Of filling in the gap of another pause,
81 suppose that down were you live,
sir, they-they don't mind-er-mur-
derin' of people, Mr.. Williams, sir?"
"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 q queerly respon-
sive feeling.
BEG pardon, sir, but-but it isn't
loaded, is itY'
"Not yet" smiled Richard. "I'll at
tend TO that later. Besides, l wouldn't
hurt you, my boy; no, not for 1900
cash down."
The sum was not a large one, yet the
particular amount seemed to crate
upon the servants sensitiveness. He
cast longing glance toward the door,
but the Texan was already filling the
| Oot no Of
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 l think of it just now.
but a mighty funny thing happened
down IN Texas couple of years ago.
had contract with fellow-chap
about your size and age as l remember
him. with 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
| w iItOW Cull'llll anu SIlllltu.
"Where is he now, sir?'
Richard shrugged his shoulders.
"DiG--did you kill him. sir?" feebly
began the unfortunate Bills again, feel
ing sudden and unaccountable
draft blowing on his spine.
"Well, no." said Richard dreamiy,
II didn't That's the funny part of it.
I tied him TO tree and shot away
portions of him that didn't count"
Count sirT'
Eyes, parts that are not vital, you
understand-such as ears and fingers
and kneecaps and things like that.
Why, you wouldn't believe II, Bills.
but you can chip away at "a man for
half a day IL you're only careful. You
see, l had plenty Of leisure time on my
hands-almost as much as have now
so there wasn't any hurry and rush
about 1t. That was n rife. I 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 moro Richard paused to laugh.