The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-05-11

By HAROLD MAC GRATH
CHAPTER vIII-(Continued.)

Copyright Ter Co. Indianapolis


"Mr. Warrington is in" answered the
valet. with chilling dignity What is
your business?"
"Mine!" Numbered Bill. who had a
democratic contempt for q gentleman
gentleman. II have important bust
mes to transact with your master. Take
this card in to him. He'll see me-"
Il will take the card to Mr.. Warning
ton" the valet promised reluctantly.
There was, however, barely percepl-.
BILE grin struggling at the corners OF
his mouth. He was not wholly devoid
of the sense of humor, as gentleman's
gentleman should at times be.
William Osborne? What the deuce
does he want here?" asked Warrington
impatiently
"He said his business was important.
sir. If it is half as important as he
acts"
mo comments, please. Show Mr..
Osborne in"
Warrington turned all his mail face
downward. He knew Bill Of aforetime;
In the old newspaper days. Bill had
marvelously keen eyes, for all that they
were watery The valet ushered him
into the study. He wore his usual
blase expression. He sat down and
drew up his chair to the desk.
well. Mr.. Osborne, what's on your
mind tonight?" Warrington leaned
back.
"The truth is. Richard" began Will
lam, Il found this letter on the pave
ment this afternoon. Guess you'd been
down to the hotel this afternoon, and
dropped it. found it out in front.
There was no envelope, so l couldn't
help reading it,"
Warrington seized the letter eagerly.
1t was the only letter of its kind In the
world. It WIS enchanted.
"Mr. Osborne. you've done me a real
service. ! would not take small for
tune for this letter. Il done recollect
how / came to lose 1t. Must have taken
It out and dropped 1t accidentally.
Thanks"
Don't mention it, my boy" Very
few called him Mr. Osborne.
1T is worth a good deal to me.
Would you be offended IL l gave you
ten as a rewardY"
I'D feel hurt, Richard, but not Of
Tended" twinkle in the watery eyes.
Warrington laughed, drew out his
crackly bank note. 1t went, neatly
creased, into Williams sagging vest
pocket
Have a cigaret?" asked Warning
ton.
Richard, there's one thing I never
did. and that's smoke one of those cof-
fin nails. Whisky and tobacco are all
Warrington passed him cigar. Will
lam bit off the end and lighted It, He
shifted with evident relish.
Seems impossible. Richard. that only
a few years ago you were a reporter at
the police station. But ! always said
that you'd get there some day. You
saw the dramatic side of the simplest
case. knew your father. He was
one Of the best farmers in the county.
But he didn't know how to invest his
savings. He ought to have left you
rich"
but he didn't. After all. it's fine
thing to make for the good things in
life and win them yourself"
That's true. You're different breed
from some of these people who are your
neighbors. We're all mighty proud of
yeu, here in Herculaneum. What you
want to do is to get into politics" Here
Bill winked mysteriously. You've
money and influence. and that's what
counts"
"Tm seriously thinking the thing
over" returned Warrington, not quite
understanding the wink.
'Everything's on the bum in the
town; 1t wants a clean bill. McQuade
must go. The man never keeps a
promise. Told me in the presence of
witnesses, last election, that he'd give
me a Job on the new police board: and
yet after election he put in one Of those
whipper- snappers who know nothing.
OF course. you've been in town long
enough to know that Donnelly Is sim
ply McQuade's creature. never had
any luck"
'Oh, II may change by and by
Warrington, at that moment felt gem
timely sorry for the outcast.
Bill twirled his hat. you've never
laughed at me, Richard; you've always
treated me like gentleman, which I
was once. didn't mail that letter be-
cause I wanted to see II you had
changed any. II you had become a
snob, why, you could fight your blamed
But you're Just the same" He became
very earnest. i've brought some
thing that'll be of more use to you than
that letter, and don't you forget 1t"