Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-08-05

',ons' I'm dOggoned II
! oo' You'll allow a certain latitud.
AZ consideration Of my relief. cam
say We were anticipating this-ah-
heaven sent visitation"
accepting the revolver with his ,ar,
nano and settling his fore finger on
tne trigger. Kirkwood beamed with
pure enjoyment. He found the defer.
enee OF the older man, tempered
though 1t was by his indomita hle
swagger, refreshing in the extreme
"A little appreciation isn't exactly
out OF place. come to think Of It" he
commented, adding, with an eve for
the captain. "Stryker, you bold. bad
butterfly, have you got a gun conceal
ed about your unclean personY
Inc captain shook visibly with con-
triton. mo. Mr. Kirkwood, he man.
aged to reply in voice singularly lack
ing In his wonted buster.
Say sir! " suggested Kirkwood.
mo. Mr.. Kirkwood. SIR" amended
Stryker eagerly.
NOW, come round here and let's
nave look at you. Please stay where
you are, Calendar. Why, captain. YOU
are shivering from head to foot! Not
III are you. you wag? Step over to
the table there. Stryker, and turn out
your pockets; turn 'em inside out and
let's see what you carry in the way
OF offensive artillery. And, Stryker.
don't be rash: don't do anything you'd
be sorry for afterward."
mo fear Of that" mumbled the can
tain, meekly shambling toward the ia
Die and. in his anxiety to give no cause
TOT unpleasantness, beginning to emp
ty his pockets on the way.
Don't forget the sir Stryker. And.
Stryker. If you happen to think of any,
thing In the line of one of your merry
Quips or jests, don't strain yourself
holding In. Get it right off your chest
and you'll feel better"
LAKEWOOD chuckled. In high conceit
with himself, watching Calendar out
OF the corner Of his eye. but with his
attention centered on the infinitely d.
verting spectacle afforded by Stryker.
whose predaceous hands were trem-
bling violently as one by one they
brought to light the articles Of which
ne had despoiled his erstwhile victim.
Come. come. Stryker! Surely you
can think Of something witty. Surely
you haven't exhausted the possibilities
Of that almanac joke! Couldn't you
ring another variation on the lunatic
wheeze? Don't hesitate out Of consid-
Grafton for me. captain. I'm joke proof
Perhaps you've noticed"
Stryker turned upon him an express
sion at once ludicrous. piteous and
hateful That's all. sir" he snarled
displaying his empty palms In token
of his absolute tractabilty
Good enough. Now right about face
quick! Your backs prettier than
your face. and. besides. want to know
whether your hip pockets are empty
I've heard it's the habit of you gentry
to pack guns in your clothes None?
That's all right. then. Now roost on
the transom over there In the corner.
Stryker. and don't move. Don't let
me hear a word from you Under
stand"
Submissively the captain retired to
the indicated spot. Kirkwood turned
to Calendar, Of whose attitude. how
ever. he had not been for an instant
unmindful.
Wont you sit down, Mr.. Calendar"
he suggested pleasantly. "Forgive me
for keeping you waiting"
For his own part. as the adventurer
dropped passively into his chair Kirk
wood stepped over Mulready and ad
vanced to the middle of the cabin, at
the same time thrusting Calendars re-
volver into his own coat pocket The
other. Mulready's, he nursed signifi-
cantly with both hands. while he stood
temporarily quiet. surveying the fleshy
face of the prime factor in the intrigue.
A quaint, grim smile played about
the Americans lips. smile little
contemptuous, more than little In
scrutable. In its light Calendar grew
FESTIVE and lost something Of his as
surance. His feet shifted uneasily be-
meath the table. and his dark eyes wa
vered, evading Kirkwoods. At length
he seemed to find the suspense unen-
durable.
"Well." he demanded testify. what
d'you want Of me?"
81 was just wondering at you, Cal
endar In the last few days you've
given me enough cause to wonder, as
you'll admit"
The adventurer plucked up spirit, de-
luded by Kirkwood's pacific tone. II
wonder at you. Mr.. Kirkwood." he re-
torted. at was good Of you to save
my life. and
I'm not so sure Of that! Perhaps
it had been more humane
Calendar owned the touch with a
wry grimace. But I'm banged II
understand this high handed attitude
Of yoursv he concluded heatedly.
Don't you?" Kirkwood's humor be-
came less apparent, the smile SOLDERING.
"You WILL" he told the man, adding
abruptly, Calendar. where's your
daughter"
The restless eyes sought the COM