Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-03-03
CHAPTER XIV.
| Undertake a Commission.

Undertake a Commission.
Gillespie availed himself of my
wardrobe to replace his rags, and APP
peared in the library clothed and in
his usual state of mind on the stroke
of seven.
You should have had the doctor
out, Donovan. Being stuck isn't so
funny, and you will undoubtedly die of
blood poisoning Every one does now
adays."
Il shall disappoint you. lima and
I between us have stuck me together
like a cracked plate. And 1t is not
we'll to publish our troubles to the
world. If called the village doctor
he would kill his horse circulating the
mysterious tidings. Are you salts
fied?"
quite so. You're a man after my
own heart, Donovan"
We had reached the dining room and
stood by our chairs.
II should like" he said, taking up
his cocktail glass, ito propose a truce
between us"
In the matter of a certain LADY,"
Even so! On the honor of a fool"
he said, and touched his glass to his
lips. And may the best man win"
he added, putting down the glass un-
emptied.
He was one of those comfortable
people with whom it is possible to sit
in silence; but after intervals in
which we found nothing to say he
would, with exaggerated gravity, make
some utterly inane remark. Tonight
his mind was more agile than ever, his
thoughts leaping nimbly from crag to
crag, like a mountain goat. He had
travelled widely and knew the ways of
many cities; and of American political
characters, whose names were but
vaguely known to me, he discoursed
with delightful intimacy; then his
mind danced away to a tour he had
once made with company Of acrobats
whose baggage he had released from
the grasping hands of a rural sheriff.
What" he asked, presently, lis as
sad as being deceived in person you
have admired and trusted? l knew a
fellow who was professor of something
in blooming college. and who was SC
poor that he had to coach delinquent
props in summer time instead Of get
ting vacation. l had every conf
dence in that fellow. I thought he
was all right, and so 1 took him vi
into Maine with me-just the two o.
us-and hired an Indian to run oul
camp, and everything pointed to plus
Well, always get stung when l tr!
to be good"
He placed his knife and fork care
fully across his plate and sighet
deeply.
What was the matter? Did b.
bore you with philosophy"
mo such luck. That man was weak
minded on the subject of homestead
ing prairie dogs. You may shoot m
If that isn't the fact. There he was,
prize-winner and a fellow of his un
versity, and fine scholar who edite
Greek textbooks, with that thing o
his mind. He held that the daily e,
ample of the happy home life of tn
prairie dog would tend to ennoble a
mankind and brighten up our famil
affairs. Think of being lost in tn
woods with a man with such an ide;
and of having to sleep under the sam
blanket with him! 1t rained most (
the time, so we had to sit in the ten
and he never let up. He got so ba
that he would wake me up in the nigl
to talk prairie dog"
1T must have been trying"
agreed. What was your solution, Blu
-. tons"
Il moved outdoors and slept wi
} the Indian. Your salad dressing is e
cellent, Donovan, though personally
lean to more of the paprika. But /
us go back a bit to the Holbrook
Omitting the lady, there are certa
points about which we may as we
agree. l am not so great fool b
that can see that this state of thin
cannot last forever. Henry is brok,
down from drink and brooding ov
\ his troubles, and about ready for clio
II confinement in a brick building wi
Il barred windows"
II Then I'm for capturing him al
4 sticking him away in safe place."
NJ That's the Irish of it,. if you W
N pardon me; but it's not the Holbro
Of 1t. A father tucked away in p
vate madhouse would not sound W,
to the daughter. / advise you not
suggest that to Helen. I generous
aid your suit to that extent. We a
: both playing for Helen's gratitud
., that's the fiat of the matter"
:. Il was brought into this busine
= 10 help Miss Pat" declared, thou
!. trihe lameiy. Gillespie grinned s.
donically.
: BE It far from me to interfere WI