Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-04-02
CHAPTER XVIII.


Mr.. Grips fury was something fright
full to behold when he returned to his
own office with the roll OF drawings Irene
had given him. He flung the paper on
the tioor-then kicked the roll across the
room.
Curse him! I'll pay him off for this.
Oh, he'll get pay-pay. l always pay my
debts-don't owe any man dolar-don't
owe any man an i'll turn, either. And Ill
pay her off-wont /? Oh, mol Maybe l
won't"
And so this quiet, well-dressed, proper
looking person capered about his room.
The world could not see him, and he had
high jinks all alone.
And Ill swallow that story? Not
much. I'll make him surrender his whole
interest. He's got my note by this time
If he gets home early-that'll brighten
him out of his wits. He'll come down as
gingerly as Crockett's coon. Oh he's
coming right down. And when he is on
his knees to me'-another vicious kick
at the roll-"Ill tell him-when he's made
his whole interest over to NELL tell
him he owes his precious neck to me-"
And then the most respectable looking,
quietly moving man in the world struck
out viciously with both hands. like a man
hitting hated object. This coalition
was at its height when a light, very
light, rap sounded at Mr.. Grips office
door.
Now, Mr. Grips Office was in an out
af-the-way place. 1t was near the wharf,
in locality rarely frequented by the
female portion OF Pittsburg. So, when
Mr.. Grip opened his door suddenly, and
beheld woman standing before it, he
was taken somewhat by surprise
well, what is it? What do you
want2"
She was a poorly dressed woman, you
may be sure, for Grip always deferred
to well-dressed people.
IF you please, you are Mr.. Gripp, amt
touI My name is"
mo matter what your name is. Out
with your Grand"
The woman, whose features were par
TALLY concealed with large sunbonnct.
that looked very odd in that place in that
season, bowed her head.
My boy Is worried. Ever since he
carried a message for you to Allegheny
he's been watched, he says"
For me? | sent no message to any
body. It's mistake, tell you"
He can't be mistaken. He says you've
sent him errands often. Now he's afraid
there's danger for him. You send him
an errand to-day. Now he says there's
a boy haunting my house till he comes
out-a boy that met him and seen him de-
liver the message. And you told him
nobody in the world must know ycu
sent it,"
''Saa hapa ~ SoiI
an oily tone, Il never sent any messag,
by any boy | do my own errands. You
son is lying; that's the truth. Now, yo,
tell him not to lie any more. And don
you worry about me. You take care O
your son, or he may go to the peniten
tiary some of these days"
He was on the point of shutting tn
door in her face, when she put out
hand.
you must listen to me. ! am an non
est woman, and | will try to save my hoy
He may be bad; but he is not as bad &
those who employ him" Her defan
tone amazed and angered Mr.. Grip.
''See here, my good woman-'
"Silence! | am not your good woman
SIR"
''Oh, you amt. Then who are your"
The woman pushed her bonnet bacl
and looked him fearlessly in the fac
Mr.. Jackson Grip recoled suddenly. II
recoiled, and shrauk as he recoiled. Bt
he recovered himself instantly, as mo.
brassy men do.
"You are Martha Walters"
Martha Walters that was-Mrs. Co
now"
"Cole-Colew Grip stared at he
gaared at her, then drew a long breath.
Eyes. Now you see l know you.
warn you that my son will not lie I,
you. He will tell the truth, the who
truth. You have had him run with me
sages you charged him he must new
reveal. You have frightened him. I
is watched. | know it. II anything @,
happens, he will tell all he knows.
come to warn you never, never to empl,
my son again. You know am hone
mo one knows better. You know
could tell some strange things of yo
IL tell half | know, Mr.. Ghpp will L
be held 40 high by anybody"