Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-04-01
CHAPTER XVII. (continued.)

ment. What were all their troubles
now-the treachery of the manager,
the ten-mile tramp after their fight
from their lodgings and Mrs. Griggs,
or the twenty miles that yet lay be-
tween them and their destination, not
to mention the more tain probable at
titude Of the landlord when he learned
their financial condition? What did
warm, cosy room, with an excellent
dinner on it's way to them. Joe felt
that he hadn't care in the world
The landlord had drawn unstinting-
1y 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 it's appearance, f1anked 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!
''If 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 a mere ana
tOmical study. He'll 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 Joes face was visible; indeed,
only the margin of it could be seen
shining round the rim of what looked
like big crown piece.
1t was the bottom of the tankard:
Joe set it down empty, and deliberate
ly rang for fresh supply with a COM
posture that his more timid friend en-
WED with all his heart.
"YOu see, we may as we'll do our
selves properly. The explanations
got to come, anyhow; may as we'll be
hung for a sheep as lamb said Joe,
lightly. Already Richard is himself
agatn-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 it, joe" put in
the heavy man, hastily, with a gulp
Il want TOTO be happy whilst I 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;
there1l be no trouble, dear boy. Leave
it all to me. Have some more fowl,
old chap"
Dinner was a leisurely proceeding
Cold applicant with custard and cheese
followed; the two actors worked
steadily through the courses, doing
execution that made the landlord open
his eyes as he brought in the sweets.
1t was not until the cheese was
reached that Joe Grissons 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 it almost before the man had
crossed the threshold, and he gave
a little SILVER; still, Joe had said it
would be all right-Monty fervently
hoped that it would be. It struck Joe
himself that the man had betrayed a
somewhat indecent promptness in
making out the bill.
Il see you have brought in the ac-
count, landlord he murmured, pleas
antly, leaning back in his chair,
-" though it wasn't that l rang for. Oh,
a perfectly natural mistake on your
part. BY the way, present my compli-
ments to your good lady on her cult
nary powers. Excellent apple tart.
Haven't tasted better at the Cafe
Royal. Why I rang really was that
we will put the crQwning touch on an
excellent repast with a couple of the
best cigars you can supply"
The landlord was scarcely gone
moment in the execution of the order;
but time enough for Joe and the heavy
man simultaneously to crane their
heads forward to look at the slip of pa
per. Their eyes met, though neither
spoke. The appalling total of the bill,
without the cigars, was nine shillings
and twOpence.
Somehow at the sight of that bit of
paper, with its long array of figures,
Joe began to feel his courage oozing
from him, his confidence in his ability
to carry the situation through stead
lily diminishing. How on earth was he
to begin, now that the fatal moment
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 a fixture there until he had got his
money.
Mine and tenpence exactly, gentle
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