Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-02-14
CHAPTER XVII.

warfare with the world. 1t all mattered
80 little now that he fought listlessly
He was gayer than ever in manner, and
more alphabetically charming than ever,
for he bad time to cultivate the friendly
emotions The little widow stayed on in
Houfoy and kept her own secret
Maskelyne came striding upstairs with
supernatural gravity of expression. This
changed for one moment to a delightful
smile when O'Rourke ran out to the land
Ing place to meet him, and with both
hands outstretched IN friendly welcome.
My dear old fellow 2" said O'Rourke.
Not tired of England yet? l have an
Idle hour or two to-day, and had re-
solved to come round and take look at
you"
Upon my word" said Maskelyne, you
are man to be envied. You have the
power of benefting your fellow creatures
You are like fresh air."
O'Rourke laughed breezily, and took
stock of his friend with smiling eyes. He
saw that Maskelyne was pale, and almost
haggard.
Come" he said. "It strikes me that
you want fresh air. You're not looking
well, old fellow"
do you think notT' asked Maskelyne
"O'Rourke, I'm going to surprise you"
Are your" asked O'Rourke.
Il am causing some unnecessary anx-
iety to the authorities of Scotland Yard"
said Maskelyne. II think it's In conse-
Quence Of my having been a good deal
with Dobroski Of late. At any rate
am being watched. Ny goings out and
comings In are observed with constant
vigilance"
Stupid beggars," said O'Rourhe, with
friendly petulance "Abomlnably annoy
ing, isn't I'll"
Il don't know" returned Maskelyne.
ut makes me feel nice and safe. But
It lie not worth while to cocker up a mere
private citizen Of the United States In
that way. The old country IL we'll to do,
but she can't afford it. And don't think
II should feel humbled any way IL my
bodyguard got told of to some one else
who was more in want Of It."
TN stop all that for you," said
o'Rourke.
There's good fellow" answered Mas
kelyne, and fell into silence.
At this instant the knocker on the hall
door was brought into play with violence.
There was an audible whirl and scurry In
the hall as the housemaid ran to the
door to answer this unusual summons,
and second or two later a voice cried
30 loudly that 0'Rourke and his compan-
ion heard It.
"Mr. O'Rourke's within doors Don't
be telling me he's not, for know he is.
I'll find the way myself"
NThat Ia Fro uav. oofd
did you conjure him hereT O'Rourke
asked. Steps flying up the staircase and
Fraser, perspiring and pale, burst into
the room, holding in his left hand news
paper and walking stick. He closed
the door behind him, nodded strangely
to Maskelyne, and then, striding to
o'Rourke, thrust the journal be carried
into his face, and hourishing his stick
a. II he were trying the temper of a
foil, cried, Look at that, ye voiper.!"
O'Rourke, with look Of wonder, took
the journal and retired pace.
"OhoP cried Fraser, rolling his head
ut his ancient comrade so theoretically
that he rolled his hat off. Don't be
making your faces of innocence at me,
Hector 0'Rourke. Maybe ye didn't write
that? Come, now. Maybe ye didn't
write it7 Well, ye're loyar, for write
It ys did. And here's the manuscript in
Jour own dirty fist, We smiling snake"
He tugged a little rolled-up bundle OF
paper from his breast pocket and stood
In a white heat of passion, Furnishing It
and the stick. O'Rourke smiled with
less than his usual Spontaneous charm, and
Maskelyne set himself between the two.
Va ~
soil me hands with the dirty coat Of him.
For tew pins" he added, turning anew
upon o'Rourke, "I'd cleave the life out
Of ye."
This seems likely to be a private af-
fair" said Maskelyne, in his quiet way,
''and won't NEEDLE with it. But weli
have no fighting"
Private, begorra !" cried Fraser, snort
ing. TITS that private there's a round
fifty thousand copies printed at the very
least Would ye believe it, now, Mas
kelyne2 l put 1t to you. Ye're not the
smartest man alive, but ye're a man of
honor, and put it to you. Here's this
dirty villain, here, has been going about
with me for years and damaging moy
reputation by calling me his friend. and
ppAAONahe hiVACy tAOiu luG ny the la0QIul
whenever l had n sixpence in me peck
etc, and all the tonne he's been attacking
me anonymously. I've had him bring the
orticles-the very articles he's written
and wonder at me who was the bagyard
that wrote 'em, and making innocent Dyes
and swearing he'd like to know the viii
lain that did It,"
Come, come, Fraser" said O'Rourke.
"don't make a mountain out Of a mole
hill"
There was something In this replv
which so exasperated Fraser that, but
for Maskelyne's interposition, he would |
then and there have assaulted O'Rourke
iii mole hill the villain =! cried Fra
ser. I'm mountain him !" He struggled
to get past Maskelyne, who held him |
back with an unexpected strength and
adrOitness. "Ye take that ruffian's part,
do YEP he said, suddenly ceasing his eff |
forts. Then I disown We. Ye're no |
friend of mine"
"My dear Fraser" returned Maske- |
lyme, II am taking your part as much as
o'Rourke's. know nothing of the mer-
its of the quarrel, but you shan't fight |
X can help it,"
"If ever We speak to me again." said |
Fraser. STOPPING for bis hat and shaking |
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