Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-01-12
By PETER B. KYNE

had ever met: he was certain she
would win the ten dollars from him.
but then IL was worth ten dollars 10
know for a certainty whether she was
perfect or possessed OF a slight flaw;
30 he silently drew forth a wallet that
would have chOked a COW and skinned
OF a ten-dOllar gold certificate OF the
United States OF America.
I'm game" he mumbled.
The Tat gentleman's initials are E.
r. 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 n bracer after that. Take
the ten. You've won II"
Thanks. ever so much" she an
swered In a matter-of-fact tone. and
tucked the bin inside her shirtwaIst.
4 am a very poor woman. and
Every little bit added 70 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
sutllity OF his overwhelming desire for
her: IL even occurred 10 him what a
shame Il was 90 waste a marvel like
her on a callow young pup like Billy.
who had fought so many deadly skirm-
ishes 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.
"well. what's the tariff" he asked.
"YOu really feel that / have earned
a professionals feeT'
Beyond a doubt"
since you have taken Billy away
from me this evening. shall make
you take Billy's place this evening.
After dinner yOg shall hire an open
victoria with two little white horses
and drive me around the Malecon.
There IS a band concert tonight"
IF it's the last act Of my wicked
life!" he promised fervently. Strange
20 relate. In that ecstatlc 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 az the tiny tea
table when the sound Of feet crunch
Ing the little shell-paved path through
the patio caused Webster and Dolores
% turn their heads simultaneously.
Coming 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 OF the kind known as alpar-
gates-made from the tough fibre OF
plant Of the cactus family and worn
only by the very lowliest peons-com-
pieted his singular attire.
zone OF Bllly's friends and enother
reason why he has no social standing"
Dolores whispered. Il believe he's go
ing 10 speak 10 US"
such evidently appeared 10 be the
mans intention. lie came 10 the
edge OF the veranda. swept his ruin
OF 4 hat from his red head and bowed
with Castilian expansiveness.
"Yer pardon. Miss. for appearin' be-
sore you"
She smiled her forgiveness to what
Webster now perceived 10 be an
alcoholic wreck. He was about 10
dismiss the fellow with scant cere-
mOny when Dolores. with that rich
sense OF almost masculine humor-
q 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
q mining partner OF our mutual friend
Mr.. William Geary."
"A LONG. sad descent into the Pit had.
however. imbued Don Juan with
sense OF his degradation; he was IN
the presence OF a superior, and he &C
knowledged the introduction with a
respectful inclination Of his head.
-'Tis you I've called 10 see, Misther
Webster. sOr." he explained.
~Very well. old-tlmer. In whatsway
can l be OF service 70 your
~-Tis the other way around. sor. X
sc place. an for that same there's no
Charge. seem we're the partner. av
thar tine. kind gintleman. Misther
Geary. Did ye. whilst In New Orleans,
have dalings wit a short. shtout
spiggoty Wit a puckered scar undher
his right eyer
John stuart webs'er suddenly sat
up straight and gazed upon the lost
son o. Erin with grave Interest. yes"
he replied, 4 seem 10 recall such a