Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1908-02-01

|
rations, nor yet to get my skin pierced
while can keep it whole. / was a fool
to threaten you, but | wanted to know
your game and that was all. If amt
going to be let know it, I'm placable."
Then" said Zeno, I'VE will go out
and have some dinner. And you shall
pay for che dinner, because you have
been a fool. Eth, my Frost ?"
I'm game for that" said Frost. Are
you going to take your parcel with your"
"Ahl the parcel" said Zeno. The
parcel is your affair. l had forgotten.
This is little invention of your own.
You will bring it under the attention of
the committee this evening and 1t will
secure you little praise, l can assure
you"
What is it?" Frost demanded.
"Ha ha p cried Zeno, with laugh,
you have OWNED it's nature What a
cunning fellow it is, and what cour-
ageous fellow it is"
Il say, look here" said the other,
shrinking closer against the WALL, you
haven't got any of that stuff here, have
you? l can't stand it. Zeno. won't"
"What?" cried Zeno, laying hand
upon Frost's collar. you call me by
that name You are frightened, are you?
and you forget, do you, my poor Frost ?
Never be frightened again, will you?
Please! Never forget again, will you?
Please! !"
Il hate the stuff" Frost declared. Il
can't bear to be about it."
do not mind the stuff, dear Frost"
said Mr.. Zeno, Tightening his hold on
Frost's collar. Mind me, If you please.
You will be very sorry if you call me
by that name again"
II won't forget again." he said, STAN
merihgly. "But hate the stuff. wish
you wouldn't bring it here"
Pooh !" returned Zeno, with brutal
disregard of his friends sensitiveness
What harm is there in this?" He re-
leased Frost, and, crossing over to the
other side of the room, took from the sofa
an misunderstanding parcel wrapped
in brown paper Setting this upon the
table, he proceeded to unite the knotted
string which surrounded it, grinning and
grimacing at his companion as he worked
at the knots with his fingers. Frost glued
himself to the wall and stared at the
parcel with an involuntary batting of the
eyes. When at last the knots were con-
quered, the paper wrappages removed,
and the contents exposed, he gave a sigh
of relief and wiped his brow WITH the
back of his hand.
WELL" he said, with a CHASTITY at
tempt at a ocular air and tone, there
amt any harm in that, so far as l can
see.' Zeno held up before him a packet
of half dozen books, held together by
a double strap and differing slightly in
size Fastened to the two straps was
a loop of sewn leather by which the par
eel could be conveniently carried. Il
don't know" said Frost, what you want
to scare me for. I've told you over and
over again l can't bear the mere sight
of it."
Come here" said Zeno. laying the
packet on the table and unfastening the
buckles; Il have something to show
| you" Frost approached with a slow
swagger of unconcern. Zeno, having laid
| down the straps on either side, opened
the topmost volume "A dictionary" he
said, ''of French and English" He fut-
tered over the first two or three score
leaves.
well" said Frost, where's your in
vention?"
Here" replied Zeno, and, turning over
another score of leaves, revealed the top
of a tin box, displaying at the same time
the fact that the interior part of the
leaves was cut clean away, and that the
apparent bundle of books was but a case.
He lifted the dictionary. and some two
inches of the tin box stood clear. Then
he lifted the second book which was
smaller than the first, and held it up,
mere oblong frame. Then he drew out
the tin case itself, and balanced it in his
hand before Frost, who retired so rapidly
that he fell over a chair backward. Get
up" said Zeno 1T is empty" Frost
arose. rubbing the back of his head, which
had come smartly in contact with the
wall
81 don't know" he said. what you
want to scare me for"
why" returned Zeno showing the
gaps in his teeth again, at is right that
you should know that you are coward"
There are some men," said Frost ris-
| ing slowly, that can't stand snakes.
amt sweet on snakes myself but I'd
sooner go to bed with hogshead of EN-
than be in the same room with dynamite.
And outside that, | don't know that I'm
such a champion coward as you take me
| for. It's a natural repugnance that's
what it is-a natural repugnance. I've
read of men that have that same precise
| kind of feelin' in respect to cats. and
roses, and all manner of things that you
and re don't mind at ALL"
WELL" said Zeno smiling still, this
is your invention, my brave Frost
make you a present of the idea. You OBJ
serve" Che restored the tin box to its