The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-06-12

| disappeared lnto udrhHeSS, prlckeQ DIV
| tiny gas jets, and there were sounds of
men talking and doors slamming seven
| flights below, in the warm gloom.
| "Do they give you free hand here?"
| said Dick cautiously. He was Ishmael
enough to know the value of liberty.
Anything you latchkeys and Ii
cense unlimited. We are permanent
| tenants for the most part here. 'Tisn't
| place l would recommend for Young
Mems Christian association. but it will
| serve. took these rooms for you
| when 1 wired"
you're a great deal too kind, old
man."
"You didn't suppose you were going
away from me, did YOU" Torpenhow
put his hand on Dicks shoulder, and
the two walked up and down the room,
| henceforward to be called the studio,
| in sweet and silent communion. They
heard rapping at Torpenhow's door
"Thats some ruffian come up for a
drink" said Torpenhow, and he raised
his voice cheerily. There entered no
one more ruf1ianly than a portly, mid
| die aged gentleman In q satin faced
| frock coat. His lips were parted and
| pale, and there were deep pouches IN
der the eyes.
"Weak heart" said Dick to himself,
and, as he shook hands-"very weak
heart. His pulse is shaking his fin
gers"
The man introduced himself as the
head of the Central Southern syndicate
and zone of the most ardent admirers
Of your work, Mr.. Heldar. 1 assure
you, In the name of the syndicate, that
we are immensely indebted to you, and
I trust, Mr.. Heldar, you won't forget
that we were largely instrumental in
bringing you before the public" He
painted because Of the seven flights Of
stairs.
Dick glanced at Torpenhow, whose
left eyelid lay for moment dead on
his cheek.
81 shan't forget" said Dick, every
instinct of defense reused in him.
you've paid me so well that couldn't,
you know. By the way, when 1 am
settled in this place should like to
send and get my sketches. There must
be nearly $50 Of them with you"
"That is-er-is what came to speak
about. l fear we can't allow it exact
ly, Mr.. Heldar. In the absence of any
specified agreement the sketches are
our property, Of course
"Do you mean to say that you are
going to keep them?"
Eyes, and we hope to have your help,
on your own terms, Mr.. Heldar, to as
sist us in arranging little exhibition
which, backed by our name and the in
fuence we naturally command among
the press, should be of material serv-
ice to you. Sketches such as yours
Belong to me. You engaged me by
wire, you paid me the lowest rates you
dared. You can't mean to keep them!
Why, man, they're all I've got in the
werldv'
Torpenhow watched Dicks face and
whistled. Dick walked up and down,
thinking. He saw the whole of his
little stock in trade, the first weapon
Of his equipment, annexed at the out
set of his campaign by an elderly gen.
tleman whose name Dick had not
caught Alright, who said that he rep
resented a syndicate, which was
thing for which Dick had not the least
reverence. The injustice Of the pro-
ceedings did not much move him. he
had seen the strong hand prevail too
often In other places to be squeamish
over the moral aspects Of right and
wrong. But he ardently desired the
blood of the gentleman in the frock
coat, and when he spoke again it was
with q 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 mew
81 speak for the syndicate. see no
reason for 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
10 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, / 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.
81 don't know quite what to do with
you" began Dick meditatively "Of
course you're thief, and you ought
to be half killed, but in your case you'd
probably die. l don't want you dead
on rhis floor, and, besides, it's unlucky
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 the plump body be-
| meath the coat. "My goodness" said
he to Torpenhow, land this gray oaf
dares to be q thief! l have seen an
Esneh camel driver have the black
hide taken off his body in strips for
stealing half pound of wet dates, and
he was as tough as whipcord. This
| things soft all over-like woman"
There are few things more poignant
ly humiliating than being handled by a