The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-03-10

the part Of an elderly English work
man who had taken Lucian'S fancy.
keep them up to the mark, that's my
motto. | never will tolerate scamping.
Give me good work and I'll give you
good wages, but if Il man don't handle
the tools the way he ought, why, he
can go, and good radiance, say l."
"That's all right for you, with your
confouEded meticulous correctitude
and %exactitude. my FRIEND" said Lu-
clan. still vicariously sore; but how
would you feel if you knew that the
worst work they put in was head and
shoulders better than the best work
you put in"
II guess I should turn to and take
a hand at something l could do"
"And suppose you were incompetent
all round:"
Charlesworth turned and looked at
him. Lucian, laughing, appeared hard
ened and insouciant. but the Ameri-
can was slow to judge. "Well, l don't
say I'm right he said, land l don't
say you're wrong, but 1 couldn't do
with your way, and I guess you
couldn't do with mine"
"There are nine and sixty ways of
constructing tribal lays. and every sin
gle IL of them is right" quoted Lu-
clan, coughing.
you toddle home: the siren will 30
in half an hour, and this airs bad for
your cough" said Farquhar, coming
up and putting his hand on Lucian's
shoulder.
Shut up, you prophet, you thing Of
evil! haven't coughed once this day"
'There you err. I've heard you twice
myself"
"Well, that isn't once. is it,"
They laughed. and Farquhar shook
him by the shoulder, apostrophizing
him as a fool. Its reeking damp here
by the water. You'll be laid up if
you aren't careful"
You want me to see our dinners
ready, that's what it is" said Lucian,
going. Charlesworth looked at Farqu-
har. "Sick:' he asked With a back
ward nod.
mo constitution at ALL"
cAIouiNl pun Il III tlIouSH lily
head if it was me-" said Charles
worth briefly. This worlds not made
for Incompetence" But, luckily for
the peace Of the quarry, Farquhar did
not hear what he said.
Lucian went to the Hotel DIES Beers
and tlirted with I.aurette, the charm
ingly pretty maid, as he smoked on
civ, n,,,,,l H., r1,,,ol YN~I1.., ~,,:,,
ion that Il kiss or two did not matter
to any one. and he carried his views
nto practice, which she did not. This
was not heroic, but Lucian had many
commonplace failings which disquali-
fed him for the post of hero. He was
still living at F%arquhar's expense. He
had brought into this present undertake
ing nothing but his knowledge of mod
cling. Yet he accepted his position
and was in the main content. The
timely sac Of a couple Of short stories
had permitted him to buy the clothes
which he was wearing and to pay his
journey over, otherwise he would have
euphemistically borrowed from Far
qular. Little debts such as hat CALLED
him, but the main burden sat lightly
on his shoulders. which was well; for,
a. he told himself With obstinate pride
when visited by the pricks of self con
tempt, he had consistently done his
best and had failed not through his
W fault.
Come to bed, De Saumarez; it's time
for all good little boys to turn in,'
Farquhar observed that evening.
Lucian settled back into his seat.
G away. l won't be mussed up.
| believe you're simply thirsting to
flesh your clinical on me-"
"Not I. I've done enough nursing
since December to last me my life"
Very good for you," said Lucian,
lighting a fresh cigar.
Tarquhar watched his chance and
snatchcd it. Lucian was up in a mo-
ment, and there was a scrimmage in
which he did not conquer, %whereupon
he lifted up his voice and walled aloud,
to the amaZ"mcnt of CharlesWorth,
who was not used to Lucian's ways.
Il want my cigar was the burden of
his complaint, repeated with yaria-
tons.
"Go to bed and you shall have it,"
said Farqular, laughing and wary.
"Nevcr."'
you're unreasonable. Why shouldn't
you:'
I'll be shot if Ill give in to an ar
rogant brute like you! Besides. l want
to wait for the post
"Oh. the post" said Farquhar, with
Il singular change of tone. He dropped
the cigar and sat down. He did not
look ut I.ucian, but Lucian shot Il
glance at him, and both We're silent.
Charlesworth stared. The constraint
lasted for Il moment. Then, pat to
the occasion, luurettc came out with
the letters. %Farquhar half rose and
put out his hand. but she passed him