New-York tribune., 1903-07-28
CHAPTER XVIII.
MURDocH's BIRTHDAY GIFT.

Uncle Jack" said Amy at the dinner table.
has an extraordinary way of celebrating birth
days He has brought sable jacket. which
I don't need. because he's thirty-nine to-day
We drink your health Uncle Jack!"
I'm getting old. that's right" admitted the
pickle maker II feel like a patriarch already.
I don't mind getting gray. but I'd hate to get
bald. Any signs Of it,"
NO the hairs of your head can't be num-
bered YET
81 used to think" said Murdoch. that a
man was getting ready for the shelf at forty.
figured that I'd do a lot Of things by that time
I don't know but have done most Of EN-"
"Is there anything you haven't done?"
We'll yes" He gave a glance at Amy. and
then laughed THE little girl there talked me
out of one Of them-confound her." he added.
afectiopately.
oh If one Of your theories was that by
forty you'd have learned how 10 manage herr"
Bradford's laugh implied that Methuselah would
have found life too short for that task But
both he and the pickle maker knew what Muir
doch meant. There was something irritating to
a potential benefactor in the way DR.. Craven
clung to the presidency Of Carfax. There were
rumors occasionally that he was unwen during
the winter. but they seemed contradicted by
his acts and appearances. Certainly. he seemed
no nearer resignation than he had been year
before, although time was passing. and Muir
doch was nearing forty. 1t occurred to Brad
ford that Murdoch would possibly not hnd un-
welcome any accident which should disclose
his Intention to establish the Murdoch Fund.
The idea lingering in his mind may have
made him less guarded than usual in his speech
that night He had a caller-a caller who
wished TO see him personality. the maid said;
and when she added the statement that the
d, II
He went out and grasped Shedsy's hand and
led him to the den.
My wife will not disturb US here. old man.. -
he said. You needn't be afraid. have her
we'll trained"
shedsy grinned mo offence. hope Haven't
seen you in d-deuce Of a while. Hows every
thing?"
IF you mean my wife-she's we'll. thank you.
HOw's all with you?'
Bully. Sims f-fatter than ever. I'm wor-
ried about Kate. though"
What's the matter with Kate? He's a
loafer. He never comes to see his friends-any
more than you do. old Shedsy Barnes"
Shedsy looked worried. Il wish knew what
was the m-matter with him. He moons and
m-mopes, which can't be good for anybody"
"Sick?"
"Kate?" The idea was too absurd for dis
cussion.
Maybe he's in love?"
"N-no. he isn't" answered shedsy. confident
ly
How do you know?"
Because he n-never goes to see but one girl
and he t-taIks about her" was Shedsy's ready
answer. Il was b-bothered a little thinking it
might be th-that so 1 asked him something
about her. and he never h-hummed nor h-hawed
which is a s-sure s-sign.'
your ideas are aboriginaIs. You're out of date
Keep up with the procession. I'll bet my head
against penny he's in love. Who's the girl
he goes TO see?"
Miss Craven
"Oh-AIarion? Then I take 1t all back"
Think she's a b-back NUMBER"
Don't talk that way about a nice girl
Shedsy think she's out Of the market. that's
all She represents a past generation. like the
college"
You're always knocking the c-colIege." com
planned Shedsy. I don't see any harm in IT,
Anyway it'll be many a long day before we get
anything else here"
I'm bet you-what you please-it won't"
What do you know about it?"
Want to bet?'
Murdoch g-going to put his hand in his
pocket after alp"
What makes you guess that?"
"Oh, / don't know. They s-said so. last year:
and 1 thought YOU ought TO know. If anybody
d-dd"
Want TO bet?"
You're like a man with his hands shut want
ing me to bet whether he's got a d-doUar in
them or not. won't go against mans own
game But I'll bet you you're bIuflng. just the
same"
Maybe. But Kate is lucky to have got his
job under the old regime. They may not be so
easy TO pick up after while. You needn't tell
him said So"
'Oh. reckon Katherine the Shrew could g-get
a JOB in any sort of w-weather. Frank"
He's a good man. But this thing may be
bigger than you think"
How big?'
What should you call big money for a col
lege, Shedsy?"
a Million"
Bradford laughed once more. There you go
again with your primeval theoriesi a million
won't pay the janitors in a modern university.
let alone the professors Make il million a
year. why don't you?'
Who's going give million year,"
''Nobody-tin he gets ready. I am. perhaps
asked you if you wanted 10 bet? The PROPOSE
tion's still open. You don't get any OF my infor-
nation for nothing This is business world.
shedsy.'
GO onr' answered Shedsy. simply Lets
talk about the c-cushions. You put on sWeH
front here. Frank. You've g-got the rooms OF