The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-02-27
CHAPTER WI


old IN his parliamentary and journalist,
warfare with the world II all mafreret
80 little now that he fought listlessly
He was sayer than ever in manner. and
more symparhetically charming than ever
for he lad tine to cultivate the friendly
emotions. The little widow stayed on il
Houfoy and kept her own secret
Aaskelyne came stridng upstairs with
a supernatural gravity OF expression This
changed for one moment TO a delightful
smile when O'Rourke ran out 10 the land
Ing place 10 meet him. and with both
hands outstretched in friendly welcome
Ny dear old fellow :" said O'Rourke
Not tired of England yeti l have an
Idle hour or two to-day. and had re
solved 10 come round and take a look at
you"
Upon ny word. = said Maskelyne. you
are a Tan TO be envied. You have the
poser Of benedting your fellow creatures.
You are like fresh air"
O'Rourke laughed breezily. and took
stock Of his friend with smiling eyes. He
saw that Aaskelyne was pale. and almost
haggard
Come he said 1T strikes me that
you want fresh air. You're not looking
well. old fellow"
do you think notg- asked Maskslyne.
-O'Rourke, In going to surprise you"
Are your asked O'Rourke.
i am causing some unnecessary anx-
fety TO the authorities Of Scotland Yard"
said Maskelyne. Il think IT'S IN conse-
quence Of ny having been a good deal
with Dcbrosh OF late. At any rate / |
am being watched Ny goings out and |
cominss in are observed with constant /
vigilance"
Stupid beggars." said O'Rourke. with /
friendly petulance- -Abominably annoy
ing, isn't it7~
Il don't know" returned MaskeIyne.
1t makes me feel nice and safe. But
It is not worth while to cocker up mere
private citizen Of the United States In
that way The old country Is well to do.
but she can't afford IT, And l don't think
! should feel humbled any way If my
Dodyguard got told of to some one else
who was more in want Of IT."
IN stop all that for you" said
0'Rourke.
There's good fellow answered Mas
kelyne. and fell into silence
At this instant the knocker on the haIl ,
ioor was brought into play with violence.
There was an audible whirl and scurry in ,
he hall as the housemaid ran to the Z
loor TO answer this unusual summons. ,
nd second or two later a voice cried :
o loudly that O'Rourke and his eompan- 3
on heard it,
Mr.. O'Rourke's within doorsl Don't r
= telling me he's not, for 1 know be Is 7
II find the way myself" f
That Is Fraser" said MaskeIyne. .
did you eonjure him hereT' O-Rourke
sked- Steps flying up the staircase, and b
'raser, perspiring and pale. burst into
BE room. holding in his left hand a news I,
aper and a walking stick. He closed [
le door behind him, nodded strangely d
, Maskelyue. and then. striding TO
'Rourke. thrust the Journal be carried c,
ITO his face, and hourishing his stick
, II he were trying the temper Of r,
H. cried Look at that, ye voiper :"
O'Rourke, with look Of wonder. took q
Ie Journal and retired pace
-Ohoi" cried Fraser. rolling his head Z,
his ancient conrade 50 energedcaIly l
at he rolled his hat or Don't be Il
aking your faces of innocence at me, 81
ector 0'Rourks. Maybe ye didn't write
4Lt (1A4lrr lONs l4LID- yt 4l4u
rite it2 Well. ye're loyar. for write -
ye did And here's the manuscript in :.
ur cwn dirty ast, ye smiling snake" ~
E tugged a little foIled-up bundle Of
per from his breast pocket and stood NJ,
a white heat Of passion, fourishing It A.,
d the stick O'Rourke smiled with -,
9 than bis usual Spontaneous charm, and ~
sskelyns set himself between the two. -
e needn't fear" said Fraser. ~ITl not
] me hands with the dirty coat Of him h,s
z tew pins" be added, turning anew
on O'Rourke, I'D cleave the life out ~
ye" =.
This seems likely to Be a private af- mi
l" said MaskeIyne, In his quiet way.
I'D won't NEEDLE with f. But wen Of
re no fighting" dee
Private, besorra = cried Fraser, snort
: ITS that private there's q round By
, thousand copies printed at the very ret
st. Would ye believe It, now, Mas be
yne1 / put It to you Ye're not the unl
ATTEST man alive. but ye're a man Of con
Tor, and / put 1t to you. Here's this syn
y villain, here. has been going about sec
h me for years and damaging noy and
utation By calling me his friend. and /
rowing money from me By the handful eye
snever / had a sixpenee in me pock- ne
and all the tonne he's been attacking rosl
anonymously. I've had him bring the tow
cles-the very articles he's written VIII
nd wonder at me who was the blaxyard the
wrote EN-. and making innocenf owes tho'
swearing bed like to know the VII as
that did It." ther
Come, come. Fraser" said O,Rourke 80
MT make mountain out Of a mole intii
jour
here was something In this reply roor
oh 50 exasperated Fraser that. but tati'
Maskelyne's interpretation, be would to
! and there have assaulted O'Rourke roor
III mole bill the villain :" cried Fra INIT
"I'll mountain him r. He struggled then
get past Maskelyne. who held him bis
( with an unexpected strength and choc
'itness. "Ye take that rufian,s part. with
Fer' be said. suddenly ceasinx his ef- TO d
>. Then l disown ye. Ye're no com
I'D Of mine mar
Ny dear Fraser returned Maske- a y
, II am taking your part as much as into
ourke's. know nothing Of the mer- tend
Of the quarrel. but you shan't heht carr