The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-06-11

| AA8 ~ Wien came IN. 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 the
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. oiling 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
| Tered 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 gun,'' returned Rich
ard laconically. "What did you think
I was doing-shaving?
"O-oh" said Bills and lapsed into
silence.
| Richard began to whistle It 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 CON-
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.
"1ou-you don't expect to ave no
immejit use for that 'ere thing. do
you, Mr.. Williams?'
Don't know" said Richard uncon-
cernedly. Il might, and then, again, /
might not. It depends. Pretty little
toy, isn't it?' Bills licked his lips and
said nothing. The Texan continued
"You see, I 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 I haven't shot a man since
left Texas-two whole weeks" he
added despondently, shook his head
and then began dripping oil in the pis-
tolls lock.
Il suppose said the valet, by way
Of filling in the gap Of another pause,
Il suppose that down Were you live,
sir, they-they don't mind-er-mur-
derin' of people, Mr.. Williams, sir?"
"Shucksv' 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 I'D 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 a queerly respon-
sive feeling.
BEG pardon, sir. but-but it isn't
loaded. is it?''
Not YETI smiled Richard. "Tll at.
tend to thar later. Besides, wouldn't
hurt you. my boy; no, not for f30O-
cash down"
The sum was not large one, yet the
particular amount seemed to CRATE
| upon the servants sensitiveness. Ee
cast a longing glance toward the door
but the Texan was already filing the
chambers of his revolver. so Bills Der.
force sat still and watched him, expert
encing separate and distinct spasm
as each cartridge nestled into it's crib
Richard laughed softly. as at some
pleasurable memory.
by the way, Friend Woolsey.
don't know why I think Of it just now
but a mighty funny thing happened
down in Texas couple of years ago
had contract with fellow-chaI
about your size and age as I remember
him, with charming disregard fol-
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
window curtain and smiled.
Where is he now, sir?'
Richard shrugged his shoulders.
"Did-did you kill him, sir?' feebly
began the unfortunate Bills again, feel
Ing a sudden and unaccountab BILE
draft blowing on his spine.
"Well, no." said Richard dreamily
Il 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, sir?'' .~ Co.,. .,
Eyes, parts that are not vital, you
understand-such as ears and fingers
and kneecaps and things like that
Why, you wouldn't believe it. Bills
but you can chip away at man for
half day If you're only careful. You
see, had plenty Of leisure time on my
hands-almost as much as have now
so there wasn't any hurry and rush
about it. That was rife I had a
hatful of cartridges and an extra gun
to use when the other got too hot for