The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1907-01-03
the matter, css Ysu.rs

What's the matter. cf6 aA>.- 1su'l
sour tonight"
Never IN better humor," I assure
him, n as I spoke the words the
came true. What T had been sayir
about the Travellers and all 1t repre-
sented-au the ~sllobbery, and smirR
ing, and rotten preterse--my Anal an
absolute remuneration of 1t all-acte
on me as I've seen religion act on til
fellows that used to go up to tn
mourners' bench at the revivals. I fe,
as IL had suddenly emerged from tn
parlor Of a dive and its stencil of sick
ening perfumes into the pure air C
Gods heaven.
I signed the bill, ard we went afoo
up the avenue Sam, as l saw with
good deal of amusement, was tryinj
to devise some subtle, tactful a o
attaching his poor, clumsy little sue
tlon pump to the well of my secre
thoughts.
What is 1t, Sammy" said 1 at last
What do you want to know that your,
afraid to ask me?"
Nothing" he said hastily. TIN onl,
q bit worried about-about you ant
Textile. Matt"-thls in the tone o.
deep emotion we reserve for the at.
tempt to lure III friends into confid-
ing that about themselves which will
give us the opportunity to pity them
and, II necessary, to sheer off from
tieih-- MATT, L 90 nope you haven't
been hard hit?"
mot yet" said 1 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
overeagerness to convince me that did
not attract my attention at the time.
Tom merely said, I hear Blackjack IS
loaded up with Textile shorts-that
was all. A careless remark. l really
didn't think of 1t again until l saw
you looking SO black and glum."
That seemed natural enough, SO I
changed the subject. As we entered
his house l said:
I'll not go up to the drawing room.
my excuses to your mother, will you?
I'll turn into the little smoking room
mere. Tell your sister-and say I'm go
ing to stop only a moment"
Sam had just left when the butler
came. MI. Ball think that was the
name, sir-wishes to speak to you on
the telephone"
I had given Ellerslys' as one Of the
places at which l might be found,
should 1t be necessary to consult me,
l followed the butler to the telephone
closet under the main stairway. AS
soon as Ball made sure it was I. he
II oSS II Sode WOluSs i We lust
seen Fearless, as you told me to-"
Fearless-that was Mitchell, my spy
In the employ of Tavistock, who was
my principal rival in the business of
confidential brokerage for the high fl
YES" said 1. What does
he say?' /
There has been a great deal Of heavy
for a month past"
Then my dread was we'll
We're to be deliberately rock
ated. Who's been doing it?" 1 asked.
He GUN out only this afternoon.
Us been kept unusually dark. 1t"
Who? Who?" I demanded.
Intrepid" he answered.
1ntrepid-that is, Observation-Disclosures
Langdon!
The whole thing was planned care
'ully,' continued Ball, land is coming
III ~accordingto schedule. Fearless over
leard a final message Intrepid's brother
'rought from him today"
So 1T was no m~ischance-it vas an
ssasslnatlon. MoWbray Langdon had
tabled me in the back and fed.
Did you hear what 1 said?" asked
Ball: rs that you?"
Yes" 1 replied.
Oh" came in a relieved tone from
other end of the wire. you were 5
iong IN answsSing that I thought
No" said 1. "Good-by."
l heard him ring off, but I sat there
or several minutes, the receiver still
D my ear. I was muttering: Lang
Z.
again. Why had he turned against
lie? Why had plotted to destroy me
ne OF those plots so frequent in Wall
the assassin steals up. de-
vers the mortal blow. and steals away
ithout ever being detected or even
| saw the whole plot now
understood Tom Langdon's activities.
recalled Mowbray Langdon's curious
arases and looks and tones. But-why
'Why-why? How was I in his way?
IL was all dark to me-pitch dark.
returned to the smoking room. lighted :
cigar. sat fumbling at the new sit,la-
/ was in no worse plight than he /,
did it matter who was at /,
Lcking me? In the circumstances a :
ovice could now destroy me as easily
o Langdon. Still Balls news seemed
take away my courage. I reminded \
yself that I was used to treacherv If 5
rs sort, that l deserved what I was r
.ttlng because I had, like a fool. dron- :
"a my guard in the fight that is 81 +
avs an every-man-for-himself. R,,t + :
minded myself in vain. Langdon,s r
Milling treachery made me heartsick :
Continued Next Weekly
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