Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-10-19

Very kind of you to invite me, I'm sure.
Yes. I'll be there in a few moments, as
soon as l car get rid of the dust Of
travel. Thank you. Goodbye"
1t all sounded very commonplace to
he clerk. who was making out bills and
fretting because he could not get off to
take his girl to the theater that night,
but as Gordon hung up the receiver he
looked round furtively as If expecting
to see a dozen detectives ready to seize
upon him. 1t was the first time he had
ever undertaken a commission under an
assumed name and he felt as If he were
shouting his commission through the
streets of New York.
The young man made short work of
his toilet. Just as he was leaving the
hotel a telegram was handed HIM. 1t
was from his chief, and so worded that
to the operator who had copied it down
1t read like a hasty call to Boston;
but, to his cod enlightened eyes
1T was merely q blind to cover his exit
from the hotel and from New York, and
set any possible hunters on a wrong
scent. He marvelled at the wonderful
every detail of an important campaign,
and forgot not one little possible point
where difficulty might arise.
Gordon had a nervous feeling as he
again stepped into a taN,cab and gay
his order. He wondered how many
stray dogs, and neWsboys with broken
legs, would attach themselves to him
on the way to dinner. Whenever the
speed slowed down, or they We're halted
by cars and autos, his heart pounded
painfully, lest something new had hap
pened, but he arrived safely and swiftly
at the station. checked his suit case,
and took another cab to the residence
Of Mr.. Holman, without further incl
dent.
The company were waiting for him,
and after the introductions they went
Immediately to the dining room. Cor
don took his seat with the feeling that
he had bungled everything hopelessly,
and had arrived so late that there was
no possible hope of his doing what he
had been sent to do For the first few
minutes his thoughts were a tumble,
and his eyes dazed with the brilliant
lights of the room. He could not single
out the faces of the people present and
differentiate them n from another. His
heart beat painfully against the stiff
eXpanse Of evening linen. 1t almost
seemed as if those near him could hear
it. He found himself starting and
s~tammering when he was addressed as
Mr.. Burnham." His thoughts were
mingled with white dogs, newsboys,
and ladies with scornful smiles.
He was seated on the right of his
hostess, and gradually her gentle man
1890 WV Ah1bi IVA A>tS AiS = w
gain control Of himself, and now he
seemed to see afar the keen eye of his
chief watching the testing of his new
commissioners His heart swelled to
meet the demand made upon him. A
strong purpose came to him to rise
above all obstacles and conquer in spite
Of circumstances. He must forget
everything else n rise to the oc-
casion.
From that moment the dancing lights
that multiplied themselves in the gilt
tering silver and cut glass of the table
began to settle into order; n slowly,
one by one. the conglomeration of faces
around the board resolved itself into
individuals.
There was the pretty, pale hostess,
whose gentle ways seemed hardly to
fit with her large, boisterous, though
polished husband. Unscrupulousness
was written all over his rudy features,
which passed for geniality among his
kind.
There were two others with faces full
Of cunning, both men Of wealth and
culture. One did not think Of the word
refinement" in connection with them:
still, hat might be conceded also; but
it was all dominated by the cunning
that on this occasion, at least, was al
lowed to sit unmasked upon their coun-
tenances. They had outwitted an
enemy, and they were openly exultant.
or the other guests, one was very
young n sleek, with yes that had
early learned to evade; one was old and
weary looking, with a hunted express
sion; one was thick set, with little eyes
set close in a fat, selfish face. Gordon
began to understand that these three
but did the bidding Of the others. They
listened to the conversation merely
from a business standpoint n not
with any personal interest. They were
there because they were needed, and
not because they were desired.
There was n bond which they
seemed to hold in common: an alert
readiness to combine for their mutual
safety. This did not manifest itself in
anything tangible, but the guest felt
that it was there and ready to spring
upon him at any instant.
All mis- came gradually to the young
man as the meal with its pleasant for
malities began. AS yet nothing had
been said about he reason for his be-
ing there.
did you tell me you were In a
Wreck?' suddenly asked the hostess
sweetly, turning to him, and the table
talk hushed instantly while the host
asked: "A wreck! Was it seriousY"
Gordon perceived his mistake at once.
With instant caution, he replied smil.
ingly. "Oh. nothing serious, q little
break down on a freight ahead, which
required time to patch up. 1t reminded
me" n then he launched boldly
into one OF the bright dinner stories for
which he was noted among his COM
pani6ns at home. His heart was beat.
ing wildly. but he succeeded in turning
the attention OF the table to his Joke,
instead Of SO asking from where he had
come and on what road. Questions
about himself were dangerous he plain
ly saw, If he would get possession Of the
valued paper and get away without
leaving a trail behind him. He sue
ceeded In one thing more, which,
though lie did not know it, was the very
thing his chief had hoped he would do
when he chose him instead OF a man
who had wider experience; he made
every man at the table feel that
he was delightful, a man to be
thoroughly trusted and enjoyed; who
would never suspect them Of having
any Interior motives in anything they
were doing.
The conversation for a little time
rippled with bright stories and repair
tee, and Gordon began to feel almost as
II he were merely enjoying a social
Rr~