The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-04-09
CHAPTER XVI. tconsinued.,

1
| Joe gave a deep sigh of content
ment. What were all their troubles
now-the treachery OF the manager
the ten-mile tramp after their nigh,
from their lodgings and Mrs. Griggs
or the twenty miles that yet Law be
tween them and their destination, no,
to mention the more tain probable at
titude Of the landlord when he learned
their financial condition? What did
anything matter? Here they were In
warm. cosy room. with an excellent
dinner on its way to them. Joe felt
that he hadn't q care in the world.
| The landlord had drawn unstinting.
y on the resource Of his larder TO do
honor to guests recommended by Mr..
Gabbitas. who were evidently people
OF some importance, despite their
shabbiness; that was. doubtless. a
mere eccentricity. The dish Of chops
made its appearance, fianked by slabs
Of fried potato. beautifully Drowned
poems Of color Joe called them. as he
pulled his chair up to the table and
grasped the carvers with the light of
enthusiasm kindling his eye. Even
Monty seemed to forget his pessimis-
tic forebodings in that blissful mo-
ment.
No pessimism about Joe.
III the landlord has any senses of
humor he'll simply roar when we ex-
plain to him how we are situated" he
remarked, presently. piling his friends
plate. The chops had vanished: the
, fowl under Joe's business-like carving
was rapidly becoming mere ana.
tomical study. Hell simply roar with
laughter at our little bit of spoof!"
Monty was not quite SO sanguine.
Tin afraid we can't build too
much on that, Joe; he hardly strikes
me as being that sort of man" he
said, doubtfully. looking across at his
friend-not that. at the moment, much
OF Joe's face was visible: indeed.
only the margin Of it could be seen
shining round the rim of what looked
like big crown piece.
II was the bottom OF the tankard.
Joe set II down empty. and deliberate
ly rang for fresh supply with a COM
posure that his more timid friend en-
WED with all his heart.
lyon see. we may as well do our
selves properly. The explanations
got to come. INFLOW: may as well be
hung for sheep as a lamb" said joe
lightly. ALREADY Richard Is himself
again-or getting on that way. After
feed like this, what will twenty miles
be? We shall be like giants refreshed:
and when the moment comes for
breaking the news gently to mine host
that"
DON'T talk about 1t. Joe." put in
the heavy man. hastily, with a gulp.
Il want toto be happy whilst can"
Joe laughed.
oh. you leave me TO manage the
landlord. Monty he said. complacent.
~. with the confidence that had come
of an excellent dinner and a blind
trust in fate. You'll see how I'll
twist him round my little finger:
there'll be no trouble. dear hoy. Leave
II all to me. Have some more fowl,
old chap"
Dinner was a leisureiy proceeding.
Cold applicant with custard and cheese
followed: the two actors worked
steadily through the courses. doing
that made the landlord open
his eyes as he brought In the sweets.
II was not until the cheese was
reached that Joe Grisson's exuberant
spirits showed any signs of tagging.
At last he rang the bell.
There was piece of paper In the
hand Of the landlord as he answered
The summons. Monty's observant eye
saw 1t almost before the man had |
the threshold, and he gave
, little shiyer; still. Joe had said Il
would be all right-Monty fervently |
hoped that it would be. II struck Joe
that the man had betrayed a
indecent promptness in
making out the bill.
II see YOU have brought In the ac- /
count. landlord" he murmnred, pleas
antly. leaning back In his chair.
though 1t wasn't that rang for. oh.
perfectly natural mistake on your
part. By the way. present my compli-
nents to your good lady on her cult
larry powers. Excellent apple tart.
tasted better at the Cafe
Royal. Why ! rang really was that
We win put the browning touch on an
excellent repast with a couple of the
'est cigars you can supply.
The landlord was scarcely gone a
moment in the execution Of the order:
tut time enough for Joe and the heavy
nan simultaneously to crane their
reads forward to look at the slip OF pa-
yer. Their eyes met. though neither
poke. The appalling total OF the bill