The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-04-21

"That's all right for you, with your
COMPOUNDED 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 l should turn to and take
a hand at something 1 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 I couldn't do
with your way, and 1 guess you
couldn't do with mine"
There are nine and sixty ways Of
constructing tribal lays. and every sim
gle one of them is right" quoted Lu-
clan, coughing.
"You toddlc home; the siren will go
in half an hour, and this airs bad for
your cough,' said F'arquhar, coming
up and putting his hand on Lucian's
shoulder.
shut up, you prophet, you thing Of
evil! / haven't coughed nee 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 your dinners
ready, that's what it is" said Lucian.
har. "Sick:" he asked with a back
ward nod.
mo constitution at ALL"
II should put a bullet through my
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 Laurctte, the charm
ingly pretty maid, as he smoked on
the veranda. He shared Dolly's opin-
ion that a kiss or two did not matter
to any one. and he carried his views
into 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 Farquhar'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 Il 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
quhar. Little debts such as that CALLED
him, but the main burden sat lightly
on his shoulders, which was well; for,
as 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
own fault.
"Come to bed, De Summaries; it's time
for all good little boys to turn ill.,,
Farquhar observed that evening.
|. Lucian settled back into his seat.
$50 away. l won't be mussed up!
l believe you're simply thirsting to
flesh your clinical on me-"
t "Not ]. I've done enough nursing
since December to, last me my life"
: Every good for you," said Lucian,
; lighting a fresh cigar.
FarQuhar watched his chance and
snatcheu 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 amaZement OF CharlesWOrth,
who was not used to Lucian's ways.
: Il want my cigar!.' was the burden of
his complaint, repeated with varia-
lions.
"Go to bed and you shall have it,
l said Farquhar, laughing and wary.
"Never..'
you're unreasonable. Why shouldn't
you"'
; IN he shot if I'll give in to an ar
=. rogant brute like YOU. Besides, l want
: to wait for the post
! "Oh. the post said Ear1uhar. with
Il singular change of o He dropped
! the cigar and sat down. He did not
\ look ut Lucian, but Lucian shot 4
\, glance at him, and both We're silent
tharlesworth stared. The constrain1
y lasted for Il moment. Then, pat tC
y the occasion, I.aurctte came out Will
: the letters. Iarquhar half rose anG
. put out his hand, but she passed hin
= by for Lucian. Pour monsieur" The
amazed Charlesworth saw rapid,
/ varying expressions fit over boil
u faces; anger. jealousy, triumph. ran
cour, and then I.aurette, after rubin:
:. her hand clean on her skirt, turned
!. and held out to %Farquhar the exac
facsimile If Lucian's small gray en-
1