The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-02-04

government. A far more artistic and
effective way Of raising hell with you
has been suggested to this higher-up
individual, and he has accepted it. In
deed, the plan pleased him so much
that he laughed quite heartily. Real
~, it is quite diabolical, but remem-
ber, he who laughs last laughs best
and I'm the villain in this sketch.
Barring accidents, my dear Web
ster, you are good for at least six
weeks Of existence. Beyond that I
dare not guarantee you.
''Thine,
:" ~: "ANDREW BOWERS"
! "That makes it nice," the recipient
of this comforting communication so
liloquized. He went up to his room,
packed a dutfle bag with such belong
ings as he would find necessary dur
ing prolonged stay in the mountains,
and at luncheon was fortunate enough
to find Dolores in the, dining room
when he entered.
I'm going up to San Miguel de Pad
ia this afternoon" he announced as
he took his seat, A look Of extreme
anxiety clouded her lovely face, and
he noticed it. ooh, there's no risk"
he fastened to assure her. '"That
scamp Of a brother of yours, through
his friends in high places, has man.,
aged to get me a reprieve." He hand
ed her KicardO'S letter.
She looked up, much relieved, from
her perusal. "And how long do you
expect to be gone, Caliph?"
''Quite while. I'll be busy around
that drafted concession for couple
Of weeks, surveying and assaying and
what-all; then, while waiting for our
machinery and supplies to arrive from
the United States, I shall devote my
spare time to hunting and fishing and
reforming Don Juan Cafetero. The
cool hills for nine"
"Wha1 selfish. unsociable pro-
grant," she reflected. II wonder 1t
it will occur to him to come down
here once in 4 while and take me for
a drive on the Malecon and talk to
me to keep me from dying of ennui
before meet Ricardo. I'll wait and
see If he suggests it."
However, for reasons best known to
himself and the reader, Mr.. Webster
made no such interesting suggestion;
so she decided that while he was tre-
mendously nice, he was, nevertheless,
a very queer man and thoroughly ex-
asperating.
Just before the train pulled out
John Stuart Webster took Dolores
hand. "Good-by, Seeress," he said
very soberly. "The trail forks here
for the first time-pQssibly the last.
although I'll try to be on hand to
make good on my PRO mise to present
you to your brother the day lie &C.
cupies the palace. However, If I
shouldn't be in town that day, just
60 up and introduce yourself to him.
It's been wonderful to have met you
and known you, even for such a brief
period. I shall never forget you and
the remarkable "a hours just passed"
II shall not soon forget them N.Y.
self, Caliph-nor you," she added.
Haven't you been q busy little cup
of tea, Caliph! Within "a hours after
landing, you have changed your mind
three times. lost the best job in the
world, had your fortune told, been
marked for slaughter, acquired a new
found friend and commenced actively
and with extraordinarily good results
the work Of reforming him, soused a
gentleman in the fountain, spurned
another with the tip Of your boot,
rode with me around the Malecon and
listened to the band concert, bundled
poor Billy off to San Miguel de Pad
ia, discovered my brother presumed
to be dead, and received a reprieve
from your enemies, while they per.
feet new plans for destroying you.
Really, you are quite caliph."
"Oh, there's dash Of speed in the
old horse yet, Miss Ruey," he assured
her laughingly. "Now listen; don't tell
anybody about your brother, and don't
tell Billy about my adventures since
he left for San Miguel de Padua."
"But I'm not liable to see Billy
"Yes, you are-extremely liable. I'm
going to send him back to you as soon
as l can spare him, because know
you'll be lonesome and bored to death
in this lonesome town, and Bill is
bully good company. And don't want
you to tell him about the mess I'm
in, because it would only worry him;
he can't aid me, and the knowledge
that was in any danger, real or
fancied, would be sufficient to cause
him to rebel against my plans for his
honeym-for his vacation. He'd in
sist on sticking around to protect me-"
He looked down at her little hand
where it rested in his, so big and
brown and hard; with his free hand
he patted her hand paternally. "Good-
by, Seeress," he said again; and turn
ing to the steps, he leaped aboard
just as the train started to move out
of the station.
"Goo-good-by-Caliph," she called
Then to herself: "Bless
his heart he did remember I'd be
terribly lonely, after all. He isn't a
bit queer, but oh, dear, he IS so ex-
I could bump his kind
old head against a walll' She turned