The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-03-20
0aeNpIoHv 1aIa 81 ssssassS s..c CO

then two shadowy figures outside
slipped around the corner of the build
Ing. 1t was Mr.. Pierce and Doctor
Barnesl
| darted back and put my ear to
the door, but they did not come in
at once. Mr. Thoburn made speech,
saying how happy he was that they
were all well and able to go back to
civilization again, where the broIled
lobster fiourished like a green bay
tree and the prune and the cabbage
were unknown.
There was loud applause, and then
Senator Biggs cleared his throat.
Ladies and gentlemen. distin-
guished fellow guests" he began, Il
suggest toast to the autocrat of
Hope Springs. 1t is the only blot on
the evening, that, owing to the ext
gencies of the occasion, he can not
be with US. Securely fastened in his
room, he is now sleeping the sleep
that follows stomach attuned to
prunes, mind attuned to rule"
Eat, drink and be merryl" some
body said, for tomorrow you diet!"
There was a swish and rustic. as II
woman got up in hurry.
DO you mean" said Miss Patty's
clear voice, that you have dared to
lock Mr.. Pier-Mr Carter in his
room?"
MY dear young lady" several OF
them began. but she didn't give them
time.
1T is outrageous, infamous!" she
stormed. / didn't need to see her to
know how she looked. How dare you!
Suppose the building should catch
frel"
! "Ffre!" somebody said in Devil
dered voice. my dear young lady
Don't my dear young lady me.
she said angrily. Father, Bishop
will you stand for this? Why. he
may jump out the window and hurt
himself! Give me the key!"
Miss Julia's fingers were beating 9
tattoo behind her, as If she was afrait
I might miss It,
IF he jumps out he probably viii
, hurt himself. 1t is impossible to re
!, lease him now, Miss Jennings, but i
you insist we can have mattress
placed under the window"
Thanks, Thoburn. 1t won't b.
necessary" The voice came from thu
door, and a hush fell on the party.
, slipped my bolt and peeped out
Framed in the doorway was MI
, Pierce, with Doctor Barnes looking
over his shoulder
The people in the spring-house wer
abject That's the only word for il
!. Craven, somebody suggested later, AM
9 they were that, too. They smile
r sickly grins and tried to be defiant
\ and most of them tried to put dow
I whatever they held in their hands an,
to look innocent.
s Mr.. Pierce never smiled. H
) wouldn't let them speak a word in dc
/ tense or explanation. He simpl
e lined them up as he did at gym. an
sent them, one by one, to the corne
!. with whatever they had in thei
r hands. He made Mr.. Jennings Civ
, up bottle of anchovies that he
stuffed in his pocket, and the bisho
A had to come over with the cheese.
: And when it was all over. he he'll
the door open and they went bac
4 to the house. They fairly ducked pas
him in the doorway, although h
hadn't said dozen words. 1t was
. rout. The backbone of the rebellio
: was broken. l knew that never agai
! would the military discipline Of Hop
Springs be threatened. Thobur
/ ,lr1, Oh MO
Mr.. Pierce's day.
Mr. Won invalid was almost the las
V He stood by, sneering, with an ope
9 bottle of olives in his hand, watchin
! the others go out Mr.. Pierce he'll
the door open and eyed him.
q '1'll trouble you to put that bottl
!. with the others in the corner" NJ
II Pierce said sternly.
y Ihey stood glaring at each othe
O angrily.
4 "And il refuse?"
= You know the rules. II you n
3 fuse. there is hotel at Finleyville.
q Mr.. Won invalid glanced past Nj
- Pierce to where Doctor Barnes stoo
!. behind him. with his cauliiower ca
o and his pugilists shoulders. Then h
looked at the bottle in his hand. an
. from 1t to Miss Patty. standing haugl
n tily by.
(. Il have borne much for you, Pi
n tricia.' he said, but | refuse to b
d bullied any longer. shall go to tn
hotel at Finleyyille. and l shall tax
70 the little olives with me-" He smile
d unpleasantly at Mr. Pierce. whose fac
IT did not relax.
4. He walked jauntily to the door an
10 turned, flourishing the bottle. "Th
m land of the free and the home of tn
" bravel" he sneered, raising the bottl
r. in the air. Standing jeering in tn
ID doorway. he bowed to Miss Patty an
10 Mr.. Pierce. and put an olive into h
e mouth.
But instantly he made terrib
IS face, and clapped hand just in frol
y. OF his left ear. He stood there a m
1t ment. his face distorted-then he dar
le ed into the night, and l never sa