Cheyenne record., 1921-04-14
By PETER B. KYNE


the most perfectly amazing girl he
had ever met; he was certain she
would win the ten dollars from him,
but then 1t was worth ten dollars to
know for certainty whether she was
perfect or possessed Of slight flaw ;
so he silently drew forth wallet that
would have choked a COW and skinned
of ten-dollar gold certificate of the
United States Of America.
"I'm game" he mumbled.
'The fat gentleman's initials are E.
P.J"
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. I need bracer after that Take
the ten. You've won it,"
'"Thanks, ever SO much," she an
swered In a matter-of-fact tone. and
tucked the bill inside her shirtwaist.
II am very poor woman, and
Every little bit added to what you've
got makes just 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
shame It was to waste a marvel like
her on a callow young pup like Billy.
who had fought SO many deadly skirin-
lshes with Dan Cupid that a post
impressionlstic 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.
swell. what's the tarin?" he asked.
"You really feel that I have earned
a professionals feeT'
Beyond doubt"
"Since you have taken Billy away
from me this evening. shall make
you take Bllly'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 baud concert tonight"
"If it's the last act Of my wicked
life!" he promised fervently. Strange
to relate. in that ecstatic moment NO
thought Of Billy Geary marred 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
the patio caused Webster and Dolores
to turn their heads simultaneously.
Coming toward them was an individ-
ual who wore upon head of flaming
red disreputable. conical-crowned
straw sombrero; a soiled cotton
camisa with the tails flowing free Of
his equally soiled khaki trousers. and
sandals Of the kind known as alpar-
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. II 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 vcranda, swept his ruin
of a hat from his red head and bowed
with Castilian expansiveness.
"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-
mony. when Dolores. with that rich
sense Of almost masculine humor-
a humor that was 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 superior, and he &C.
knowledged the Introduction with a
respectful inclination of his head.
"Tis you I've called to see, Misther
Webster, sor." he explained.
"Very well, Old-timer. In what way
can l be Of service to your"
"Tis the other way around, sor. II
.ye place, an for that same there's no
Charge, SEEM ye're the partner. av
that fine, kind gintleman, Misther
Geary. Did va whilst In New Orleans,
have d'aIings wit. short. shtout
spiggoty wit a 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 .
man."
"Tis none av me business. sor, but
would ye mind tellin' me just what ye
did to that spiggOty7"
"Why. to begin, last Sunday mor1i-
Ing I interrupted this ,pucker-eyed fel-
low and pop-eyed friend Of his while
engaged in an attempt to assassinate q