Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-20
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story

copyrighted, 1907 by E. C. Parcellsp

nm only Kid" he iretorted, but
got sense. This was written on Mr..
Suttons machine
Sutton flushed He had been a clerk
for Evans before an unexpected legacy
had permitted him to buy into the firm.
He still used the typewriter occasion
ally.
Don't you see that bum b." de-
manded Henry. That's on Mr.. SUIT
toms machine. The p key fell off
about month ago. and they sent a
ham over to fix it, He didn't know
as much about the job as do, and he
left it crooked. Get Miss Childers to
write something on her machine"
The girl grasped the idea and rapidly
Transcribed few lines from the pa
per. Kincaid examined the two and
nodded approvingly toward Henry.
you've been reading dime novels
and detective stories to some purpose"
he said, though I'm hanged if | ever
saw their use before. Let's see that
machine of yours, Sutton"
he led the way into the private Of
flee, and Henry followed, unchalcnged,
manned outside. Sutton uncovered his
machine and wrote few lines When
he arose his face was drawn and white.
1T looks bad for me-" he said. The
boy was right about the broken key.
| The repair man could not adjust it,
and as / was in a hurry to use the
machine l told him to come again
a week before the bid was put in."
You had copy of the bid said
Kincaid meaningly. Sutton nodded.
Il still have the draft he admitted,
but l did not make this copy, though
| it must have been made on my type
writer"
Kincaid's face grew dark.
Il am sorry about this" he said slow
| ly. Il trusted you, though it has been
apparent for some time that other
| firms were getting the best of us on
big contracts. | think, Sutton, that the
| partnership had best be dissolved"
! II admit that appearances are against
| me-" said the junior but | did not
| give out those or any other figures"
Sure not" put in Henry. Kincaid
| frowned.
How dared you follow us in hercT'
he Numbered.
Thought you wanted me-" was the
calm response. w MIR. Sutton didn't
copy that stuff. 1t was little man
with a nanny goat beard. He came in
to see Mr.. Evans while the push We're
to lunch. There was only me and him
here, and this fellow comes in, and lie
| goes in the Office and bangs the ma
chine for fair, Then he goes out. and
| Mr.. Evans chases me over to Graves
& Sitgreaves with the money he got
for margin. One of the kids over there
says Mr.. Evans can't play the market
any better than he does the ponies"
Kincaid caught Henry by the collar
and helped him hurriedly out of the
office. Then he locked the door an(
the three employees in the main Office
could hear only the hum of angry
voices, though Henry had an explana
ton. Probably Kincaid knew wha
the boy had picked up through tn,
freemasonry of Office boys. Evans was
betting on the market and on the races
with no success. He had OverdrawI
his share of the profits Of the firm
and in his pressing need of ready mon
ey he had sold information to his part
ners' undoing.
1t must have been the right explana
ton, for later on Kincaid apologizet
to Miss Childers for his suspicious
and the three men left the office.
Phoebe threw her arms about Hen
rvs neck and planted half a dozel
kisses upon the freckled cheek
You have saved my reputation an,
my happiness" she whispered to tn
blushing boy as she released him. 80
shall never forget it,
Henry winked at Dighton.
Il guess that's something you can
do" he eXulted
, For answer Phoebe slipped an arr
about Dighton's neck But he may,
she laughed, for we are to be marie
, soon''
, Stung," murmured Henry, but a
the same I'm glad knew about tina
bum B. l guess I'll wait and nal
ry your daughter when she grow
up."