Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-12-03
By PETER B. KYNE

|
know for Il certainty whether she was
perfect or possessed Of a slight flaw ;
50 he silently drew forth a wallet that
would have choked a COW and skinned
of a ten-dolar gold certificate Of the
United States Of America.
I'm game" he mumbed.
"Thc fat sentlcmun's initials are f..
P. j."
by the twelve apostles, Peter,
Simon"
Don't basphcmc Mr., Webster"
He stood up and shook himself
"Whcn you order the tea he said
very distinctly "pleaSe have mine
cold nee, J bracer after that, Take
the ten. You've won IT,"
"ThankS, ever so much" she an.
Swered in Il matter.of-fact tone, and
tucked the bin inside her Shirtwast.
Il am very poor woman, and
Every little bit added to what you've
got makes just little bit more she
earoled, swayng her 1.-the. beautiful
body and swapping her fingers like II
cabaret dancer.
He could have groaned with the
| futllty of his overwhelming desire for
her; 1t even occurred to him what a
shame IL was to waste marvel like
her on a calow young pup like Billy,
| who had fought so many deadly Skirm
lshes with nan Cupid that post.
impreSsionlSte painting of the Geary
heart must resemble Il piucushieH
Then he remembered that this was an
ungcnorouS tTitorous thought aud
that he had not paid the lady her fee
"Wcll WHAT'S the tariff he asked
You really feel that | have earned
a professionals fce?"
"Heyond a doubt
since YOU have taken Billy away
from me this evening, shall make
you take Blly's place this evening.
After Inner you shall hire an open
victoria with two little white horses
and drive me around the Maecon.
There is a band concert tonight"
III its the last act Of my wicked
life" he promised fervently. Strange
to relate Ia that ecStatic moment no
thought Of Billy Gcary married the per-
feet serenity of what promised TO be
the most perfectly serene night in his
tory.
They were seated nj the tiny tea
table when tie sound Of feet crunch
Inc the little sheIl-paved path through
the patio caused Webster and Dolores
10 turn their heads simultaneously
Coming toward them was an individ.
ual WHO wore upon head Of flaming
red dlsreputable, concal-crowned
straw Somhrero; Seiled cotton
eamsa with the tails flowing free of
his equally soiled khaki trousers, and |
sandals Of the kind known as alpar-
gaieS-nadp from the tough fibre Of |
plant Of the cactus family and worn
only by the very lowieSt peons-com-
plrted his singular attire.
zone Of BHly'S friends and another
reason why he has no social standing.
Dolores whispered 81 believe he's 20
ing ID speak 70 US
such evidently appeared to be the
mans intention He came to The |
edge Of The veranda swept his ruin
Of a hat from bis red head and bowed |
with CaStilan eypansiveness,
Yer pardon, Miss for appearIn be-
fore you.
She smiled her forgiveness to what
Webster now perceived to be an
alcoholic wreck. He was about TO
dismiss the fellow with scant cere-
mouy, when Dolores with that rich
sense Of almost masculine humor-
humor that was distinctly American
said sweptly:
MIR Webster. shake hands with Don /
Juan Cafetero bon yivant and man
about town. Don Juan, permit me to
present Mr.. Webster, from somewhere
in the United States Mr. Webster 4
a mining partner Of our mutual friend |
Mr. William Geary"
A long, sad descent into the Pit had,
however, imbued Don Juan with a
sense Of his degradation he was In
the presence of a superior, and he ac-
knowledged the introduction with q
respectful inclination of his head.
"'TiS you Eve called TO see, Misther
Webster, sor, he explained.
every well, old-timer. In what way
can | be of service to your"
otis the other way around, scr, II
We place, an for that same there's no
Charge, seem ye're the partner, av
that fine, kind gintleman, Misther
Geary. Did We, whilst in New Orleans,
have d'allngs witt a short. shtout
spiggoty wit puckered scar undher
his right eyer
John Stuart Webster suddenly sat
up straight and gazed upon the lost
son of Erin with grave interest. YES"
he replied, II seem to recall such a
man."
'"Tis none av me business, sor, but
would We mind tellin' me just what We
did to that spiggoty?
"Why, to begin, last Sunday morn
ing interrupted this pucker-eyed fell
low and pop-eyeo friend of his while
engaged In an attempt to assassinate a
white inoffensive stranger. The fol-
lowing day, at the gangplank Of the
steamer, we met again; he poked his
nose into my business, so l squeezed
his nose until he cried; right before
everybody did it, Don Juan, and to
He Hadn't Started |