The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-02-10

about him.
Ever thine,
u. s. WEBSTER"
"Kick the boat ahead again, CATER
ty," Billy ordered quietly. He turned
to the late arrival. "Mr. Man, your
credentials are all In apple-pie order.
Do you happen to know that this bay
Is swarmlng with m%an-eating sharks p
The man raised a fine, strong, youth
full face and grinned at him. Hob
sons choice, Mr.. Geary," he replied.
"Afloat or ashore, the sharks ane after
me. Sir, / am your debtor" He
crawled into the cabin and stretched
out on the settee as John Stuart Web
ster's voice came floating across the
dark waters.
Everything well with you, Billy?"
"All is lovely, Jack, and the goose
honks high. BY the way, that friend
Of yours called with his letter Of intro
duction. ! took care Of him."
Thanks. | suppose you'll call for
me In that launch tomorrow morning?"
"Surest thing you know, Jack. Good
night, old top"
Goodnight, Billy"
Don Juan Cafetero swung the
launch and headed back for the city.
At Leber's little dock Billy stepped
ashore, while Don Juan backed out into
the dark bay again In order to avoid
inquisitive visitors. Billy fastened TO
Ell Buen Amigo and returned presently
with a bundle Of clothes; at an agreed
signal Don Juan kicked the launch into
the dock again and Billy went aboard.
HAT, shirt, necktie, duck suit, waite
socks and Shoes" he whispered. "Cllmb
into them, stranger"
Once more the launch backed out In
the bay, where Webster's prOtege
dressed at his leisure, and Billy hand
ed Don Juan a couple of pesos.
Remember, john" he cautioned the
bibulouS one as they tied up for the
night, nothing unusual happened to-
night"
"Divil a thing, Misther Geary.
Thank you, sOr," the Gaelic wreck re-
piled blithely and disappeared In the
darkness, leaving Billy to guide the
stranger to Ell Buen Amigo. where he
was taken into the confidence of Moth
er jerks and, on Billy's guarantee of
the board bill, furnished with a room
and left to his own devices.
John Stuart Webster came down the
%gangplank into Leber's launch hard at
the heels Of the port doctor.
"You young horse thief" he cried,
~affectionately. II believe It's the Gus
tom down this way for men to kiss
each other. Well dispense with that,
but by" He folded Billy In a pater-
nal embrace, then held him at arms
length and looked him over.
Lord, son." he said, you're as thin
as a snake. I'll have to feed you up"
AS they sped toward the landing, he
looked Billy over once more. II have
It," he declared. "You need a change
Of climate to get rid Of that malaria.
Just show me this little old mining
claim of yours, Bill, and then hike for
Gods country. Three months up there
will put you right again, and by the
time you get back, we'll be about ready
to weigh the first cleanup"
Billy shook his head. "Td like to
mighty well, Jack" he replied. but I
just can't"
Huh | suppose you don't think I'm
equal to the task of Strengthening out
this concession of yours and making a
hummer out of 1t, eh?"
The young fellow looked across at
him sheepishly. Miner" he jeered.
"Who's talking about a mine. I'm
thinking Of a girl"
"Oh!"
Some girl, Johnny"
81 hope she's not some parrakeet,"
Webster bantered. "Have you looked
up her pedigree?"
"Ah-h-h! !" Billy spat over the side in
sheer disgust. "This is an American
girl-born here. but white-raised in
the q. S. A. I've only known her
three weeks, but-ah !" And Billy
kissed his hand into space.
"Weii I'm glad l find you so happy,
boy. When do you pull off the we'd
ding?"
"Oh," said Billy, that's premature,
Jack. I haven't asked her. How
could I until I'm able to support herr"
Look here, son." Webster replied.
"don't you go to work and he the kind
Of fool l was. You get married and
take a chance. A man ought to marry
young, Bill. Hang the odds. l know
what's good for YOU"
At the hotel Billy sent a note to
Dolores. apprising her that John
Stuart Webster had arrived-and
would she be good enough to receive
them?
Miss Ruey would be that gracious.
She was waiting for them In the veran-
da just off the patio, %outwardly calm,
but ~inwardly a foment of conflicting
emotions. AS they approached she af-
fected not to see them and turning,
glanced in the opposite direction nor
did she move her head until Billy's
voice, speaking at her elbow, said: