The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-02-17

by the twelve apostles, Peter
Simon"
Don't blaspheme, Mr.. Webster"
He stood up and shook himself.
when you order the tea" he said
very distinctly, please have mine
cold. | need a bracer after that. Take
the ten. You've won It,"
Thanks, ever so much" she an
swered in a ma~tter-of-fact tone, and
tucked the bin inside her shirtwaist.
II am a very poor woman, and
Every little bit added to what you've
got makes just a little bit MORE" she
carOled, swaying her 1.-the, beautiful
body and swapping her fingers like a
cabaret dancer.
He could have groaned with the
futility of his overwhelming desire for
her; 1t even occurred to him what q
shame 1t was to waste a marvel like
her on q callow young pup like Billy,
who had fought so many deadly skirm-
shes with Dan Cupid that a post
impressionistic painting Of the Geary
heart must resemble a pincushion.
Then he remembered that this was an
ungenerOus, a traitOrous thought, and
that he had not paid the lady her fee.
We'll, what's the tariff" he asked.
"fou really feel that | have earned
a professionals fee?"
Beyond a doubt"
Since you have taken Billy away
from NJ this evening, | shall make
you take Billy's place this evening.
After dinner you shall hire an open
victoria with two little white horses
and drive me around the Malecon.
There is a band concert tonight"
III it's the last oct of my wicked
life!" he promised tert emily. Strange
to relate, in that ecstatic moment no
thought of Billy Geary married the per-
feet serenity Of what promised to be
the most perfectly serene night in his
tory.
They were seated at the tiny tea
table when the sound Of feet crunch
ing the little shell-paved path through
he patio caused Webster and Dolores
- turn their heads simultaneously.
'oming toward them was an individ-
ual who wore upon a head Of flaming
red a disreputable, cOnical-crowned
straw sombrero; a soiled cotton
camisa with the tails flowing free OF
his equally soiled khaki trousers, and
sandals nf thn bind Lnnup nc olnor-
gates-made from the tough fibre Of a
plant Of the cactus family and worn
only by the very lowliest peons-com-
pleted his singular attire.
Zone Of Billy's friends and another
reason why he has no social standing"
Dolores whispered. ~ believe he's go
ing to speak to u.s."
Such evidently appeared to be the
mans intention. He came to the
edge of the veranda, swept his ruin
of a hat from his red head and bowed
with Castilian expansiveness.
eyer 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-
mony. when Dolores, with hat rich
sense of almost masculine humOr-
a humor that vas distinctly American
said sweetly:
"Mr. Webster, shake hands with Don
Juan CafeterO, bon vivant and man
about town. Don Juan, permit me to
present Mr.. Webster, from somewhere
In the United States. Mr.. Webster Is
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 &C
kn~Cwledged the Introduction with u
respectful inclination Of his head.
'"His you I've called to see, Misther
Webster, sOr," he explained.
"Nery wei, Old-timer. In what way
car | he Of service to your"
"Tis the other way around, sor, If
ye PLACE, an for that same there's no