The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-08-20

walls for years you can't blame him
for wanting to look at the flowers a
minute If he gets into the garden some
day. That can't harm them"
Scene. do you know you're crazy
yourselfT' sadly pronounced Bunce,
with a shake of the head. They say |
them loonies do know it sometimes. !
And nice, crazy turn you done me,
too, tying me up here with folks like !
these" he added. with vehement re- |
proach as full realization Of his many
wrongs overcame him. you know l
never had nothin' to say to no ladies',
and as soon as ever see one choke
up, and my neck gets hot and my ears
cit red. Interduced me as his secre-
taly," again appealing to the invisible
audience. 'Waughl Secretary! I'd
make h. of secretary wouldn't |
L? Come on, Gene. Pry yourself
loose from all this darn foolishness
before it's too late
"l've already given you my deci-
sion,' interrupted Kirby, with some
asperity "But, Larkin, don't let my
affairs detain you.'
Bunce, after farewell invocation OF
the heavens, resigned himself to the
Inevitable and, seating himself on the
garden seat, proceeded to pick his
teeth. while he fastened a plaintive
and expectant eye on the distant
house.
The partners sat in moody silence
for some time until at length their
reveries were interrupted by the adj
vent of Judge Pleydell, Mr.. Randall
and NJ. Veaudry. The Judge had but
returned from the steamboat landing,
and as he approached the occupants
! of the garden seat his expression was
| of so serious a character that Bunce,
ever on the lookout for trouble, now
| scented danger and, nudging his COM
| panion. jumped to his feet. But Kir-
by, though wary eyed, remained out
wardly cool and entirely self possess
ed and, embracing this heaven sent
opportunity of further aggrayating his
! partner. promptly introduced the lat
ter as my secretary"
Colonel Moreau sir began the
/ Judge, somewhat astonished at the fe-
rocity of Mr. Bunce's bow. 81 have the
mast astonishing piece Of news for
you. What would you say if told
you that you had no right TO be here
at all, sir?'
AS Pleydell, preserving his stern de-
meanor, laid a hand on Kirby's shoul-
der his companions exchanged startled
ard significant glances, while Mr..
Bunce grew apologize and edged
nearer his partner All eyes We're now
OH Kirby, but his expression of mild
surprise and courteous interest never
changed.
"Well. l reckon I'd have to say that
the joke was on me, judge" he calmly
replied.
Pleydell began to laugh.
"Well, sir, according to rumor, you
amt here. According to rumor, you
amt anywhere. because you're dead
: To him it was huge joke. and he
, roared until the tears mingled with
his snowy mustache. all ignorant OF
the fact that he had propounded a
literal truth; ignorant of the fact that
his companions were still significantly
eying each other and that Mr. Bunce
: was having exceeding difficulty Will
his collar. In fact. Kirby was the
sole member of the interested audi
ence who appeared to appreciate the
: OH l,,.r,,o,. of tha cittrntion
when is my funeral?' he asked
0 with 4 smile. 81 don't want to mis-:
that"
His ccmposure somewhat recovered
but. still chuckling and occasionally go
ing Off into another spasm Of laughter
the judge proceeded to explain th'
. manner in which he had gained th'
Interesting Information.
"The afternoon steamer does no
stop, sir, and / am obliged to row on
In boat to get my letters. The new
! was shouted to us from the deck a
she moved away. All could catcl
; was the words, Colonel Moreau dead
and think they added This morn
ing The distance was too great TO
! me to secure any further items fror
& that interesting liar. sir"
I And, still laughing. Pleydell clappe
4 Kirby ON the shoulder, while Nj
{ Bunce. drawing his first long breatf
! mutely thanked the Almighty that a
I guilelessness and innocence had nc
/ entirely deserted mankind when tn
serpent entered Eden.
But Il was apparent that Mr.. Ran
= DAN and NJ. yeaudry owned more di'
Z cernment aud that their quick susp
y kcions, previously aroused, had now b'
I come active, pregnant with danger.
{ so happened that they We're now aul
1 mented by none other than the Gei
1 eral. who would have died rather tina
; Willingly betray his trust. During Il
Judges discourse the boy had joine
the group. seeking out Kirby as b
J natural companion. Looking at q
Z Others hand aud again at his breas
Z the General suddenly exclaimed:
Z know what all those things are th'
4 you wear. They're canoes"
I "Cameos." exclaimed Aaron und'
Z his breath, his eyes returning to tho'
. Of NJ, veaudry.