The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-07-29

| racing edcE OtHeI tHdI HI9nt dCi'>N "Vnh
in the rear room Ben mentally observed
that the doors were locked and that the
windows were heavily curtained The
seclusion of the place struck him as being
in keeping with the struggl that was TO
follow Ben felt that were it not for
Madeline he could not nerve himself to
attack the gray haired well meaning man
before him But it was 50 set down in
the part he had to play.
"Mr Bake, year ago today | asked
you for Madeline, and you refused me [
thought it was because you regarded my
| life as dishonest. and | asked for Il year,
hoping that my actions in that time might
win better opinion for me. | am here
to get your answer.
Ben Budd asked the question in the
same matter of fact tone that he would
have used in remarking to tradesman,
Have You put in your spring goods? |
should like TO see them if You have
Mr. Blake was surprised at Ben man
ner He tapped his finger tips on the
edge of his desk a moment, and then said
very quietly and with no malice in his
! tone
Il thought then. and think now, that
my daughter can do better than marry 4
retired pugiist, even though he be very
much of popular iavorite. must say
no now, as | did then, aud ask sou to dis
miss the subject
Ben Budd sat moment in silence
/ Had Mr.. Blake been locking he might
have seen light creeping into Ben black
/ eyes-a hight which was there during those
/ whirlwind encounters of the past that had
brough, the sporting world to Ben feet to
( cheer
Ben Budd sat up straight in his chair
/ and said with some etfur,
Mr. Blake. when was IN the prize
I ring il often became my duty to deliver a
+ kuockou, blow to 4 helpless adversary Il
was always a hard thing to do aud only
/ the prize At stake and the rule- Of the
/ game made IT honorable Sir. I am fight
/ ine tor a prize. aud TO gain it must strike
I YOU a Knockout blow hate to antagoniEe
a man with gray hair bat il ali IN the
+ game Are YOU ready
I Mr. Blake sprang to bis feet.
/ Do you mean "a murder me- he de
manded. h- eyrs blazing with anger
Not a, all. Tha, woulin' b. sport
+ -, down Come Us Blake he>itated
the call Of time has sounded
+ Mr. Blake sat down Ben Budi laid
ten bright. clean silver dollars in a row va
the dsSk before him
/ These, aid he. you gave me in
exchange for ten dollar banknotr one
night about a week ago
What ui ng demanded Mr. Blake.
F Indignantly Aren they good
Perfectly sooi just as eooi a if
{ they had come from a mint
( VIZ Blake eyes jumped from Budd =
faer 10 she ten cuin7, anI then back again.
Eye met eye, and che men studied each
( olhsr tor a momeu, in silence,
Eni Of first round, sid Ben The
jeweler j. getting 90 the style oi the sport.
{ Ne damage dome. Both men spauiug for
{ an opening
/ Qait shts nonsense, said Mr.. Blake
ncrvot,sly What are you driving az
Beginning Of second round, said Ben
/ The JeSeler comes to time Tie l. a
game fighter, The sport forces the hEht
f INK
Then he leaned forward and said
Mr. Blake, after you refused my offer.
/ | did soue hard thinking about your clean
money reputation. finally came 10 the
oonelasion that you, like myself, were
possessed Of an income the source Of which
was mystery to the good people Of
SehOme
Mr. Blake slid back in his chair, and
grasps,l the ruugs tightly in his hands.
The color went out of hls face, and he set
his teeth hard, the muscles Of his jaw pro
iruiing bis cheeks like cords,
End Of round second, said Ben.
The sport hits the jeweler an unexpected
blow in the wind Thi, Is the sport ,
ruund
Mr.. Blake did some hard thinking
Ben saw his EYES wander To the aooI anC
then become vacant
Beginning Of third round said Ben
The jeseler comes up slowly. The sport
sets the pace.
Mr. Blake, you viii recall the frs
night that your store was entered. lSpen
the previous night lying in boat unde
this store Next day | was greeted by
NV friends in Sehome as a nan returne,
from three months absence MIR. Blake
was your burglar.
Mr., Blake started yisibly, but contrOlle,
himself.
The sport leads for the chin. and jar
the jeweler, observed Ben. Mr.
Blake, entered your store aud spent hal
an hour finding the trap door which
under that watch repairer beneh-there.
Ben pointed and Mr. Blake Siarinl
eyes followed the suggesting finger il
silence.
Il lifted the trap door and the col,
night air came up into my face, bringin!
the odor Of the salt water then tool
the graphing hook and rope, which foun,
coiled and fastened to the joist under tn
trap door had seen hand reach dow
for it when lay in the boat under tht
store lowered the hook into the water
and after a few moments work, made fas
to something | drew it up; it was YER
heavy When had drawn the objec
into the light, it proved to be small iro
box
\ look of hatred spread over Mr., Blake
wild face Ben had seen the same look OIL
the face OF a hard pressed adversary be
fore Ii fitted the occasion, and he fel
that he was progressing.
End of the third round, said Ben
This also was the sport ; round.
Mr. Blake was now doubled up in hi
chair, glaring in silence at Budd.
Beginning of fourth round, said Ben
The sport leads for knockout. ~
Mr.. Blake, that box was locked, an,
it bothered me some getting into it.
You thief = hissed Blake I'm XII
you for this +
The sport lands, and the ieweler goe
down on one knee, said Ben mechanically
I'm the box, Mr.. Blake, | found sew
eral articles which, to man familiar witt
the trade, were undoubtedly used in thu
manufacture of silver dollars of the date q