The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-04-09
Through a
WOnan'S Heart.
D.. Gill; NJ
BY Sidney Warwick.

without the cigars, was nine shilling.
and twopsnce.
Somehow at the sight OF that bit o,
paper. with It's long array OF figures
Joe began to feel his courage oozine
from him, his confidence in his ability
10 carry the situation through stead
lily diminishing. How on earth was he
to begin. now that the fatal momen,
was come? Monty's hand shook per
ceptibly as he lighted his cigar. The
landlord had added the price OF the
cigars to that appalling total with his
stumpy pencil and stood expectantly
Evidently he was not going to let them
finish their cigars In peace: he would
be q fixture there until he had got his
money.
Mine and tenpence exactly, gentle.
men, the bill comes to. l think you'll
find 1t correct, II you cast your eye
over the hitems-
Mine and tenpence-yery moderate
too. | am sure; most reasonable. sur
prisingly reasonable" fioundered Joe.
nervously. speaking at random, won
dering how 10 begin. What a cold.
fsh-like eye the man had. II un-
nerved him. "Er-Iandlord, I-excel-
lent cigar this is: fine aroma-draws
so we'll"
Yes; you haven't lighted Il yet"
said the innkeeper, dryly: and the
sudden discovery OF this fact disccn-
certed the embarrassed comedian still
more. He felt beads OF Precipitation be.
ginning to break out on his brow; he
saw the old look of suspicion return
ing to the landlords face.
NO: how stupid OF me-" Joe FUN
bled with match. What was he to
say? He glanced In desperation across
at Alonty-no hope In that quarter;
besides. he had told Monty to leave
1t to him. At the tine he had vaguely
thought of lightly playing on the land
lords sense Of humor of showing him
the funny side OF the situation. Where
was the funny side? Joe was unable
himself to see II now. He stood dumb.
Yes. nine and tenpence,'' said the
landlord. shade more mistakenly.
I'm glad You think II moderate May
be you'd like to settle 1t now, and then
/ can leave you to your cigars"
THE fact is. iandlordd." began Girls
son. making desperate plunge. look
ing embarrassed and unhappy-the
pubiican's face was changing ominous-
Discrepancies, Monty. YOU would
prefer 10 explain the circumstances to
our worthy hcs,?" II vas base treach-
cry. and Monty shot reproachful
glance at his friend; but he remained
dumb.
Joe plunged desperately into the
breach.
Tit will amuse you frightfully,
landlord. when you learn what assets
We've been: and sha'n't resent Il IL
you laugh at us heartily-upon my
soul | sha'n't. dear boy" And. with
a rather badly-affected joyiality. Joe
clapped the landlord on the shoulder.
The man drew himself from the ia.
miliarity of Joe's hand with a surly
gesture. He did not seem to enter
into the spirit OF II at all. His face.
so far from showing any incipIent
symptoms of amusement. was growing
{ minously suspicious.
"But-well. it's like this. went on
Joe. getting more and more embar-
raised. I've just dIscoyered-most
unusual oversight-lefr my cheauebook
In another coat pocket-can't under
stand such stupid forge,fnlness-''
Il zee" said the man. slowly; .only
as cheques don't happen TO be no use
TO ME from strangers. Il doesn't sig.
Nifty. ! only deal in cash: and the
cash | want from you and your friend
Is nine and tenpence. And. what's
more. want It at once" The empha.
sis he put on the last word made Mon
~ almost start out of his boots.
Come. l don't want any larks. You've
had a good dinner. and now | want
my money for it,
His manner was distinctly threaten.
ing as he looked from one 10 the 9th.
er. Monty realized that Joe. for All his
lair promises. was broken reed was
indeed raralyzed by a sort OF stage
right. He jerked ont desperately:
Quite natural. landlord-and every
penny Of the debt shall be paid thrice
oid. only Just for the moment quite
mpossibie-no money with us. Shall
consider Il strictly debt OF honor.
ma VIII remit by postal order or reg
stored letter rs preferred at earliest
'ossible date!" he cried, speaking with
taccato breathlessness. Meanwhile.
Is security will leave this costly fur
'oat. which ! value at twenty-five"
Monty got NO farther. A heavy
'and suddenly fell on the collar OF
'ach. shaking the two unhappy players
o their foundations.