Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-04-24
CONTINUED

daren't ave me peach to Miss Ken
wyck, an you know it! | know
more than you think l know, an Mr..
Williams cawn't cover it up with none
of is mawkish smiles. No, stree! |
ave you Were / want you. an you've
got to pay. You got to make it three
an cash down at that! Now, one
last time-will you or won't you?"
"No, woolsey," said Richard, calmly
drawing on his boot, 81 won't"
Bills scowled at him angrily and
turned toward the door. He was drunk
enough to put his threat into execu-
ton. and well Richard knew that such
an exposure would be a deathknell to
his hopes of winning Harriet
"Waitw
At the sharp command the valet
turned suddenly; then his master
changed his tone and continued in an
even voice: Miss Renwyck is dressing
for a ride with me, and at present you
can't see her. She will probably be
down in twenty minutes. after which
you may do as you like and be hanged
to you. In the meantime l would be
obliged if you would get me that small
bottle of machine oil on the closet
shelf; then find me a piece of soft
white rag"
The valet wanted to refuse, but his
servants training, together with a GER
tain compelling something in Richards
eye, enforced obedience. He brought
one of Lord Croyland's handkerchiefs
ho I,.ax nd Inid
with the bottle of machine oil on a
table in the center of the room. Rich.
ard thanked him, seated himself again
and began tearing the handkerchief in
to narrow strips. while Bills stood
watching him, his human curiosity be-
ginning to get the better even of his
anger.
"Sit down, Cardinal" said Richard
pleasantly. you have twenty min
utes to wait, so why hurry? have
found that morris chair to be very
comfortable indeed. You were enjoy
ting It when 1 came in. Don't let me
spoil your afternoon. Try it again"
The valet, still wondering and I'M
certain, took The indicated seat, mar
Texan crossed the room, returning to
the table with small screwdriver and
a formidable revolver. He seated him
self and began taking the weapon to
pieces, oillng each part carefully and
then running greasy rag through the
barrel. Bills became more and more
interested in this singular and to him
unfamiliar proceeding. but Richard Of
fered no explanation of his unusual oc.
cupation. After five minutes of utter
silence the valet could stand the strain
no longer.
| "Er-beg pardon SIR" he asked, and
the tremor in his voice indicated his
uneasiness. "but wot are you a-doin'
Of, sir?"
Cleaning my gum" returned Rich
ard laconically. what did you think
was demonstrating?
"O-oh" 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 a 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
ri az Of 10
growing fear.
"You-7you don't expect to ave no
immejit use for that ERE thing. do
you. Mr.. Willams?'
Don't know" said Richard rncon-
cernedly. Il 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. / 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 it,
Bills. but | haven't shot n man since
l left Texas-twO whole weeks" he
added despondently. shook his head
and then began dripping oil In the ps
: tolls lock.
5 Il suppose" said the valet. by way
OF filling in the gap OF another pause
II suppose that down were you live
sir. they-they don't mind-er-mur
derln' Of people, Mr.. Williams, sir?"
"Shucks" laughed Richard. whats
man or two? A bang-a yell-ant
,, it's all over. or course they die hare
sometimes, but that's their affair."
The irresponsible person took up bill
whistling once more, while the muz
zle OF his carelessly held gun seemed
to point persistently at the pit of thu
| Wallets stomach. in which. by the way
there was growing a queerly respon
| sive feeling.
BEG pardon. sir. but-but 1t ism
loaded, is itT