Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-04-02


with a strained sweetness that Torpen-
how knew well for the beginning of
strife.
"Forgive me. sir, but you have no
no younger man who can arrange this
business with meY
81 speak for the syndicate. / see no
reason for a third party to-
"You will in a minute. Be good
enough to give back my sketches
The man stared blankly at Dick and
then at Torpenhow, who was leaning
against the wall. He was not used
to ex-employees who ordered him to
be good enough to do things.
Eyes, it is rather cold blooded
steal" said Torpenhow critically, but
I'm afraid, l am very much afraid,
you've struck the wrong man. Be care
full, Dick Remember. this isn't the
Sudan"
considering what services the syn
dictate has done you in putting your
name before the world
This was not fortunate remark. 1t
reminded Dick of certain vagrant years
lived out in loneliness and strife and
unsatisfied desires The memory did
not contrast well with the prosperous
gentleman who proposed to enjoy the
fruit of those years.
Il don't know quite what to do with
YOU" began Dick meditatively. "Of
course you're a thief. and you ought
to be nalf killed, but in your case you'd
probably die. l don't want you dead
Oh this floor, and, besides, it's unlucIly
just as ones moving in. Don't hit,
sir You'll only excite yourself" He
put one hand on the mans forearm and
the other down tie plump body be-
meath the coat MY goodness" said
he to Torpenhow, "and this gray oaf
dares to be theft | have seen an
Esneh camel driver have the black
hide taken off his body in strips for
stealing half a pound of wet dates, and
he was as tough as whipcord. This
things soft all oyer-like woman"
There are few things more poignant
ly humiliating than being handled by a
man who does not intend to strike
The head of the syndicate began to
breathe heavily. Dick walked around
him, paving him as a cat paws soft
hearth rug. Then he traced with his
forefnger the leaden pouches under
meath the eyes and shook his head
You were going to steal my things
mine, mine, mine! = you, who don't
know when you may die! Write note
to your office-you say you're the head
of it-and order them to give Torpen-
how my sketches every one of them.
Wait minute-your hands shaking.
Noww He thrust pocketbook before
him. The note was written.
Torpenhow took it and departed
without a word, while Dick walked
round and round the spellbound cap
tive, giving him such advice as he con-
ceived best for the welfare of his soul.
When Torpenhow returned with gi-
gantic portfolio, he heard Dick say, al
most soothingly: "Now, hope this will
be lesson to you, and if you worry me
when have settled down to work with
any nonsense about actions for assault,
believe me, I'll catch you and manhan-
die you, and you'll die You haven't
very long to live anyhow. Go y get
outr'
The man departed, staggering and
dazed Dick drew a long breath.
"Phew! What lawless lot these peo-
| pie arei The first thing a poor orphan
meets is gang robbery, organized bur
| glary! Think of the hideous blackness
- s., CHI fola
all right, Torp?'
Eyes; 147 of them. Well, l must say.
Dick, you've begun we'll"
"He was interfering with me. 1t
only meant few pounds to him, but
| it was everything to me. l don't think
he'll bring an action. gave him some
medical advice gratis about the state
OF his body. 1t was cheap at the little
furry it cost him. Now, let's look
Two minutes later Dick had thrown
| himself down on the floor and was
deep in the portfolio, chuckling loving
| ~ as he turned the drawings over and
thought of the price at which they had
been bought.
The afternoon was well advanced
when lOrpennoW came TO the door ana
saw Dick dancing wild saraband IN
| der the skylight.
Il builded better than knew. Torp,"
lie said without stopping the dance.
They're good They're very good!
They'll go like flannel | shall have an
exhibition of them on my own brazen
hook. And that man would have cheat
ed me out of it! Do you know that
I'm sorry now that didn't actually hit
himT
go out" said Torpenhow, .'go out
and pray to be delivered from the sin
of arrogance, which you never will be.
Bring your things up from whatever
place you're staying in and we'll try to
make this barn little more ship
| shape"
"And then-oh, Them" said Dick, still
caperirg. I'VE will spoil the Egyp-
| tiansi''
CONTINUED IN NEXT ISSUE.