The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-03-11
CHAPTER XIV.
1 undertake > commission.

Undertake Commission.
Gillespie awaited himself of my
wardrobe 10 replace his rags, and APP
pea.ed 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
ood-poisoning. Every one does now.
adays."
Il shall disappoint you. lima and
| between us have stuck me together
like cracked plate. And 1t is not
well TO publish our troubles to the
world. If called the village doctor
he would kill his horse circulating the
mysterious tidings. Are you salts
fed?"
Quite SO. You're man after my
own heart, Donovan"
We had reached the dining room and
stood by our chairs.
Il should like" he said, taking up
his cocktail glass, ito propose a truce
between us"
Even so! On the honor of 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 1t 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 Il 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 dtscoursed
with delightful intimacy; then his
mind danced away to II tour he had
once made with company of acrobats
whose baggage he had released from
the grasping hands of rural sheriff.
What" he asked, presently, is as
sad as being deceived in person you
have admired and trusted? | knew a
fellow who was professor of something
In blooming college. and who was so
poor that he had to coach delinquent
props In summer time Instead of get
ting a vacation. had every conf.
dence In that fellow. thought he
was oil right. and 40 took him up
Into Maine with me-just the two of
us--and hired an Indian to run our
camp. and everything pointed to plus.
Well, always get stung when l try
to be good
He placed his knife and fork care.
fully across his plate and sighed
deeply.
What was the matter? Did he
bore you with philosophy?"
No such luck. That man was weak
minded on the subject of homestead
ng prairie dogs You may sheet me
II that isn't the fact. There he was. a
Sprize-winner and a fellow of his uni
versity. and a fine scholar who edited
Greek textbooks, with that thing on
his mind. He held that the daily ex-
ample of the happy home life of the
prairie dog would tend to ennoble all
mankind and brighten up our family
affairs. Think Of being lost in the
woods with man with such an idea.
md of having to sleep under the same
blanket with him! 1t rained most Of
The time, SO we had to Sit in the tent.
Ind he never let up. He got SO bad
hat he would wake me UP in the night
o talk prairie dog"
ut must have been trying" l
agreed. What was your solution, But
! tons?'' s.
Il moved outdoors and slept with
The Indian. Your salad dressing is ex.
cellent. Donovan. though personally ]
lean to more OF the paprika. But let
rs 90 back bit to the HolbSpoks.
0mitting the lady, there are certain
| points about which we may as well
gree. am not 80 great d foot but
hat j can see that this state OF things
.annot last forever. Henry is broken
Town from drink and brooding over
ais troubles. and about ready for close
confinement In ! brick building with
Il barred windows :
Then I'm for capturing him and
sticking him away In i safe place.
That's the Irish Of It. Ii you will
pardon me-: but It's not the Holbrook
Of 4. a father tucked away In pri
yate madhouse would not sound well
4 % the daughter, advise you not tc
suggest that 20 Helen. | generously
aid POUR suit to that extent We are
both playing for Hel6n's gratitude:
II that's the nat OF the matter
was brought into this business
% help Miss Pat, declared. though
/ ~ tribe lamely. Gillespie grinned sar
dontcaily. q
- II Tar from No to interfere with
Wv.