The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-07-23

Lillian CoUA uiAoo
M Diamond Willie. alias Wal
wv ter BlOunt. sat in the library
Of the house Of which he
was theoretically master aud sought to
divert his tedium by playing Cantie'd
solitaire. Nominally he was indeed
taken In his name for the season. and
he was about to entertain there bis
putative parents. come on a visit from
their home In Laramie. WyO. Al a
matter Of fact. however. Walter was a
puppet In the hands Of the man who
was serving him as butler. That in
geni0us Individual. by name Andrew
Allen, had decided that this particular
thief would 1T admirably into his
schemes. The accomplishment Of his
design wal not difficult. since at Just
this time Walter was closely pursued
by the Pinkertons for a recent Offense
against the law. and the offer OF IN
asylum was welcome.
Andrew had maintained 50 much 80
crecy as to the nature Of his plans that
walters curiosity was provoked, and
this soon drove him to dissatisfaction
with the situation. in which he quite
forgot bis FIRST relief Over securing q
safe refuge from danger. Instead he
grew fretful over the dull routine OF
days and nights. He was dishonest by
nature, a thief by choice. His slightly
prOgnathOus Jaw showed merely moral
d~egensracy, not hrmness Of will. At
twenty-five years Of = he was a
thorough paced scoundrel. willing for
any crime, but Incompetent. Neverthe-
less as yet his evil nature vas not
graven clearly In the lines Of his face,
which a careless observer might have
deemed winningly bOyish. Now AZ he
sat erect in his dinner jacket by the
table on which the cards were display
ed he did Justice by his appearance to
the Judgment Of Andrew in this selec-
ton as the pseudo young gentleman Of
means come out Of the west for u trial
Of the metropolitan life. He scOwled
heavily, and his jaw shot out s~ullenly
as the trial Of the cards proclaimed his
lucklessness. He shot u baleful glance
toward the l~rreprOachable manservant
who for some time had been standing
at a little distance in an attitude Of
patient Difference.
"Well Parker" he snapped, what
the devil are you standing around
waiting forY"
For you to finish the game. sir"
And then what?"
ITO take the cards away, SIR"
The young man sneered.
oh. that's it, is it?" he dra wled.
You're waiting to take the cards
away"
Yes. sir. Mr.. Andrews orders, SIR"
The words, decorously spoken. were
h last straw to the burden on Wal
ter's patience. With an oath he seized
the pack and threw it violently to the
floor.
well. take them away, then" he
snarled, with an evil grin. He sprang
to his feet and moved about the room
%nervously for a minute.
Say, you" he cried. you know
who I am, don't your" he demanded.
And now there came a subtle change
in the infections Of the menial's voice,
though its respectful quality was still
in evidence. There was u vague sug
gestion Of satisfaction in his tones as
he answered:
yes, SIR"
Walter muttered a curse.
kept it to yourself mighty close,
didn't your he affirmed rather than
Intercepted. "Oh, l was on to you the
minute l saw you!" Walter spoke with
some relaxation Of his aggrieved
ner, for It was a relief to cast of dis
guise In the presence Of this fellow.
But this Mr.. Andrew-tell me, Parker.
who is he, anyhow? What's his little
game. eh?"
The anticipation Of information from
this source was not to be realized.
IL have been with MI. Andrew for
some time, SIR" he said with an In
creased precision Of utterance and a
reversion to his customary "sir." II
never ask questions. I simply obey
orders. SIR"
Hes rot to show me-" Walter
stormed. that's all He's got to show
me what this samee.k about or III
QUIT"
Walters gaze followed in astonish-
ms.t the figure Of the servant - II
wsef nolse,sssly out Of IT, ROOM. and
nj ant1l Il. ~ vqelsAe4, heo ~ ban
sX -.