The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-01-03

What's the matter. old iuanr You're
sour tonight"
Never IN better humor." assured
him. aud ns I spoke IN" words they
came true. What I had been saying
about the Travellers and all IL repre-
scnted--ali the snobbcry. and smirk-
ing. and rotten prctcnsc-niy final ana
absolute remuneration OF IL all--acted
on nv. az I've seen religion act on the
fellows that used To go up to the
mourncrs' bench ut the rcvivals. I felt
as n had suddenly emerged from the
pnrlor OF n dive and It's stencil OF sick
enIng perfumes into the pure air or
Gods heaven.
signed the bill. aud we went afoo,
up the avenue. Sam. as l saw with
good deal OF amusement. was trying
to devise some subtle. tactful way or
attaching his poor. clumsy little sue
ton pump tn the well OF my secre'
thoughts.
What In Il. sammy said at last.
What do you want tn know that you're
afraid to ask me-"
Nothing" he said hastily. I'm only
a bit worried about about you and
Textile. Matt''--this In the tone OF
deep emotion We reserve for the at
tempt 90 lure our friends into confid-
ing that about themselves which will
give us the opportunity TO pity them.
and. II necessary. to- sheer on from
,hcm."Ma g. !. ! do hope you haven't
mot yet" said I easily. Dry your
tears and put away your black clothes.
Your friend. Tom Langdon. was a little
premature"
I'm afraid I've given you a false
impression Sam continued. with an
ovcrengerness To convince me that did
not attract my attention at the time
Tom merely said. I hear Blacklock n
loaded up with Textile shorts'-that
was ALL A careless remark. i really
didn't think of u again until saw
you looking so black and gium."
That seemed natural enough. 80 !
changed the subject. AZ we entered
his house I said:
.'rIl not 60 up tn the drawing room.
my excuses to- your mother. Will you?
I'll turn into the little smoking room
here. Tell your sis,cr--and say I'm go
ing TO stop only n moment"
sam had just left when the butler
came. MIR. BALL think that was the
name. sir--wishes to speak To you OH
the telephone"
had given Eilersiys' rs one OF the
places nj which I might be found.
should II be necessary To- consult me.
followed the butler To the telephone
closet under the main stairway. As
soon ns Ball made sure IL was ]. he
began:
''I'ii use the code words. I've just
seen Fearless. as you told me to-
Fearless--that was Mitchell. my spy
In the employ of Tpvistock. who was
my principal rival In the business OF
confidential brokerage for tho high H.
nanciers. Yes" said !. What does
he say"
There has been Great deal OF heavy
buying for n month past"
Then my dread was well founded
Textiles were to be deliberately rock
cted Who's been doing III" I asked.
He found out only this afternoon.
It's been kept unusually dark. It
who Who I demanded.
Intrepid" he answered.
Intrrpid-that is. Langdon-Mowbray
Langdon.
The whole thing was planned care
fully" continued Ball. and IN coming
on accordingto schedule. Fearless over
heard q final message Intrepid's brother
brought from him today"
So IL was no mischance--it was an
Mowbray Lnngdon had
stabbed me I'm the back and fed.
did you hear what ! said?' asked
Ball. lis that YOU
Yes" I replied.
oh" came I'm n relieved tone from
the othe- end OF the wire. You were
I'd been cut or. Any instructions?"
NO" said I. "Good-by."
heard him ring OF. but ] sat there
for several minutes. the receiver still
to my ear. I was muttering: Lang
don. Langdon-why-why again
and again. Why had he turned against
me? Why had plotted TO destroy me
one OF those plots 80 frequent In Wall
the assassin steals up. de-
livcrs the mortal blow. and steals away
without ever being detected or even
suspected? saw the whole plot now
I understood Tom Langdon's activities.
I recalled Mowbray Langdon's curious
phrases and looks and tones. But-why
How was I In his way?
II was ell dark To me-pitch dark
I returned To the smoking room. lighted
a cigar. sat fumbling at the new situa-
ton. I was Ia no worse plight than be-
forc-what did IL matter who vas at
lacking me? In the circumstances, n
novice could now destroy me as easily
as Langdon. still Balls news seemed
To take away my courage. I reminded
myself that I was used Ia treachery OF
this sort. that I deserved what I was
getting because had. like fool, drop
ped my guard I'm the fight that In al
ways an himself. But I
reminded myself I'm vain. Langdon's
smiling trcachery made me heartsick. |
CONTINUED Merit Weekly