The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-01-06
CHAPTER VII.

careless shot He grounded his
cue and stood back from the
= - table. That was the way ev-
erything seemed to goat tennis. at
squash. at fencing. at billiards. il was
all the same.
II say. Jack. what's the matter with
you anyhow asked Merrihew ont nf
patience.
ut was bad" Hilard agreed. Per
haps l am not taking the interest In
the game that formerly took
"And when | make proposition"
pursued Merrihew, Ito ride to the Cat
skills and back. something you would
have jumped at a year ago, you shake
your head. Think of 1t. BY George,
you had bully time last year. You
swore it was the best trip we ever
of adYentureF'
I'm sure don't snow where it is
Shall we finish the gamc?"
"Not if you're going to throw il like
this" declared Merrihew.
'Ten ard string against your half
score I'm bet bottle that | beat
you
"Done" said Merrihew, Being on
his mcttle, he made a clean score Of
twenty, five to go. Il can see YOU pay
ing for that check, Jack"
But the odds tinglcd billiards. blood
He settled down to a brilliant play
and turned siXty-one in beautiful form
Later the two passed upstairs TO the
secluded alCove. Merrihew filed the
glasses with the air Of one who would
like 10 pass the remainder Of his days
doing the same thing-not that he was
overload but each bottle temporarily
weeded out that crop Of imperisha BILE
debts. To him the world grew roseate
and kindly viewed through the press
OF the sparkling grape. and Invariably
he saw fortune reckoning to the card
tables
"Now, then, Jack, I've got YOU where
I want YOU. Who IS she?'
''On my word. don't know"
"Thcn there is woman" cried Mcr-
riheU Il knew it. Nothing else would
so dcmoralize you. Drink health TO
her
Hillard raised bis glass ard touched
that Of his cOmrade, For the peace Of
his mind he determined to tel Merit
hew the whole adventure
"To the lady in the fog!" he said
"Fog?" blankIy.
"Well, the lady In the mask
"Fog, mask? Two OF them"
mo, only one Once met her In the
fog, and then | met her in the mask"
9TH drink to her. but I'm hanged IL
don't believe you're coddlinc me"
said Mcrrihew disappointedly This
is New York"
THE whole story, Jack. details and
all; no half portions"
Hillard told the yarn simply omit
ting nothing essential. He even added
that Tor three weeks he had been the
Ruthor Of the personal inquiry as to
the whereabouts Of one Nine. Ancot.
Il don't know, Dan. but this has
taken so strong hold Oh me that
shan't forget ii soon, Imagine II your
self oh, but she could sing! ! ann a
man not 60 be held in the leash Of an
adventure like this, but she held me
How BY the hope that one day
might see her face with no veil Of
mystery to hold her off at arms
length"
MerriheU was greatly excited He
was for ordering Il second bottle but
Hillard stayed him.
by George, And you are sure that
it was at the Sandfords'?"
II am positive But there is a puzzle
that | have failed to solve-Sandford' s
cable and the caretaker's declaration
! know that was in that house The
patrolman says that he has seen no
light in the house since the family
sailed for Africa. 1t Is no dream, but
II begins to look as If ! were the vic
tim Of some fine hoax"
ut Is more than hoax. in my opin
ion. Wait till Sanford returns and
finds his silver gone"
Hillard started.
And bis gold plate" continued Mer-
rlhew. pleased with the idea. MY
boy, that's what it is-thc best dodge
| ever heard of IT will make good
story for the Sunday papers You
won't be in il unless she ropes you in
as an accomplcc."
I'm romantic ASST Hillard sighed
Teddy LiGhtinger. If this turned out
to be the case be would never trust a
human being again.
Lets take that ride on the horses. :"
Merrihew urged. "Thatll clear your
brain Of this sentimental fog"
mo-" IIiilard struck his hands to-
gether I've a better Idea than that.
shall 60 to Italy. and you shall go
with me-"
Impossible. Why, I'm all but
broke"
III take you AS a companion. I'm n
sick man. Dan. TN likely to jump
overheard if some one isn't watching
me every minute"
I'D like to 20. Jack. Heaven and
Garth but I shou1df Ruf 7 can't poSst