Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-03-25
Webster MANS Man
CONTINUED from page three)

out alone at night"
He grinned boyishly. "Of course
not, Miss Ruey. You're going to ride
put with me this evening""
I'm not. I'll not subject you to
risk"
very well; then l shall drive out
AlOne."
you're despot, Mr.. Webster-a
regular despOt."
likewise a free agent"
'I'll go with you"
II thought so. For what hour shall
order the carriage?"
"Seven-thirty. After all, they'll not
dare to murder you on the Malecon."
II agree with you. 1t will have to
be done very quietly, If at all. You've
been mighty nice to me this afternoon,
seeress; shall be grateful right up to
the moment Of dissolution"
Speak softly but carry big stick"
Bhe warned him.
"a big gum" he corrected her,
"-twO Of them, in fact"
Sensible man! I'm not going to
worry about you, Mr.. Webster" She
nodded her permission for him to re-
tire, and as he walked down the YER
anda and into the hotel, her glance
followed him with pardonable femi-
nine curiosity, marking the breadth of
10
stride. the alert, erect pOise of his
head on the powerful neck.
"A dOer of deeds are you, John
Stuart Webster" she almost whisper
ed. "As Kipling would say: Wallah
But you are a MANI"
A stealthy fOOtstep sounded below
the veranda: she turned and beheld
Don Juan Cafetero, his hat in his left
hand in his right gOld-piece which
he held toward her.
Take it, allanah," he wheezed in
his hoarse, drunkard's whisper. Keep
1t f'r me till tomorrow, for sorra wan
av me can | trust to do that same
an be the same token can't face that
big man without II"
"Why not, Don JuanY
He hung his red head. II dunno,
Miss" he replied miserably. Maybe
tbs on account av him-the eye av
him-the way av him-divil such a
man did ever meet-GOd bless him !
Shure, Misther Geary do be the fine
lad, but he-he-"
MIR. Geary never put a big fore
finger under your chin and bade you
hold up your head. Is that it?"
"Tis not what he did, Miss but the
way he did 1t. All the tiends av hell II
be at me this night to Stipend what he
give me-and lin afraid"
He broke off, mumbling and chatter
ing like man in the grip of great
terror. In his agony Of body and
spirit, Dolores could have wept for
Don Juan CafeterO, for in that su-
preme moment the derellct's soul was
bare, revealing something pure and
sweet and human. for all his degrade
ton. How did Jack Webster know?
wondered Dolores. And why did he
so confidently give an order to this
human notsam and expect it to be
Obeyed? And why did Don Juan
CafeterO come whining to her for
strength to help him obey it?
THAT wouldn't be playing the
game" she told him. 81 can't help
you deceive him. You are the first Of
your breed"
Don't say it." he cried. Didn't
he tell me wanstT
"Then make the fight Don-Mr.
Cafferty." She lowered her voice.
II am depending on you to stay sober
and guard him. He needs a faithful
friend so badly, now that Mr.. Geary
is away" She patted the grimy hand
and left him staring at the ground.
Presently he sighed, quivered horribly,
and shambled out of the patio on to
the firng-line And when he reported
to Jack Webster at nine o'clock next
morning, he was sober, shaking hor-
ribly and on the verge of delirium
tremens, but tightly clasped in his
right hand he held that fve-dollar
piece. Dolores, who had made it her
business to be present at the inter-
view, heard John Stuart Webster say
heartily:
THE finest thing about a terrible
fight, friend Cafferty, is that If 1t is a
worthwhile battle, the spOils Of vic
tory are exceedingly sweet. You are
now about to enjoy one fourth Of the
said spoils-a large jolt Of aguard.
ientel You must have It to steady
your nerves. Go to the nearest can
tina and buy one drink; then come
back with the change. By that time
1 shall have breakfasted and you and
I will then go shopping. At noon you
shall have another drink; at -four
o'clock another; and just before re-
firing you shall have the fourth and
last for this day. Remember, CAT
ferty: one jolt-nO mOre-and then
back here with the exact change"
As Don Juan seurried for salvation,