Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-06-12
cnAprER VI.

MT. HuSncfOft was furious when he
arose at eleven o'clock on the morning
after the double murder, having slept
like q top through all Of the comm0-
ton. He doomed all over the place,
vocal castigatiOns falling right and
left on the guilty and the innocent
without distinction.
II don't see how you managed to
sleep through it,, Barnes broke In.
"YOu must have an unusually clear
conscience. Mr.. Rushcroft."
II haven't any conscience at all, sir,"
roared the star. II had an unusually
full stomach. that's what was the mat
ter with me. take oath now, Sir,
never to eat again as long as live.
A man who cannot govern his beastly
appetite ought to defy It, II nothing
else" III
~ gather from that remark that you
omitted breakfast this morning."
breakfast, sir3 In Gods name, I
implOre you not to refer to anything
50 disgusting as stewed prunes and
bacon ut q time like this. My mind
iA-
'How about luncheon9 win you
join me at twelve-thlrtyY
"That's quite another matter" said
Mr.. Rushcr0ft readily. luncheon is
an esthetic tribute to the physical IT,
telligence of man, II you know what I
mean. / shall be delighted to Join you.
"rwelve-thlfty did you say3'
ut would give me great pleasure IL
your daughter would also grace the
festal-boaid. think 1t is too bad that
she has to 60 about in the gown she
wears, Mr.. Rushcroft.' said Barnes.
"She's much too splendid for that.
have proposition I'D like to make to
you later on. cannot make it. how
ever. without consulting Miss Thack-
crny's feelings"
"My dear fellow!" beamed Rush
Croft, seizing the others hand. Zone
frequently reads in books about 1t
coming like this. at FIRST sight, but,
dammc. never dreamed that 1t ever
really happened. Count on me! She
ought to leave the stage, the dear
child. No more fitted to it-than an
Easter lily. Her place Is In the home.
| the
'Good Lord. am not thinking Of"
And Barnes, aghast. stopped before
Hurting out the words that lenped to
his lips. II mean to say this Isl prop
| ositipn that may also affect your ex-
cellent companions, Bacon and Dilling-
<r,~,sl n v,nl1 ~nspvsoo1f
At twelve-thirty sharp Rarnes came
down from his room freshly shaved
and brushed, to find not only Mr.. Rush.
croft and Miss Thackeray awaiting
him in the Office, but the Messrs. Dill
lingford and Bacon as well.
II took the liberty, old fellow" said
Rushcroft, addressing Barnes, "of ask
| Ing my excellent co-workers to join us
in our repast." 5
delighted to have you with us, gem
| tlemen," said Barnes affably.
The sole topic of conversation for
the first half hour was the mysterious
slnying Of their fellow dodgers. Mr..
Rushcroft complained bitterly OF the
outrageous. high.handed action Of the
coroner and sheriff in impeding upon
him and his company the Same re-
strictions that had been applied to
Barnes They were not TO leave the
/; county until the authorities gave the
word. One would have thought. to
hear the stars indignant lamentations,
that he and his party were in a posi-
| tfon to depart when they pleased. 1t
would have been difficult to imagine
that he was not actually rolling in
money instead Of being absolutely
| penpiless.
/ Barnes had been immersed In his
own thoughts for some time. A slight
| frown, as Of. reflection, darkened his
eyes. Suddenly-perhaps impolitely-
i he interrupted Mr.. Rushcroft's flow Of
eloquence. g
"Have you any objection, Mr.: Rush.
croft, to more or less personal ques.
tisn concerning your own private err
Z misfortunes?" he asked, leaning for.
ward.
/, For moment one could have heard
a pin drop. Mr.. Rushcroft evidently
held his breath. There could be nc
mistake about that.
'It's rather delicate, but would you
mind telling me just how much you
were stuck up for by the-er-was II
! writ Of attachment"
i 1T was" said the star. "a. writ
Of inquisition, you might as well sub
stftute. The act Of a polluted, impe
cunious. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES shall
/ sayf Wen, win be as. simple as pos
!: sible-hotel keeper. Ninety-seven dol
lars and forty cents. For that pitlfu]
amount he subjected me to"
/ swell, that isn't 90 bad, - said
Barnes. vastly relieved. He Was COW
! ertly watching Miss Thackeray.s half
| ayerted face as he ventured upon the
/, proposition he. had decided to put be
fore them. II am prepared and will
ling to advance this amount. Mi. Rush
croft. and to take your personal nots
! ~ security" - S
- 80 =. 49, =.