The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-05-28


ed with chronic limp and stout
gold headed cane and was seldom
without the genial. fiattering smile
that mad tempted Tom Erichsen and
other young flies before him into a par.
lor from which no pocket returned in
tact
.Come, now, my good fellow" said
his normal voice, "what the deuce is
all this? You have treated me very
cavaherly and you very obligingly,
thini, for the elder man. What is it
you want, Mr.
"My E35."
"Ysur f35? Yours? Look here,
begin to remember you. Your name is
Eric-Eric something or other. And
was fool enough to play with you,
Eric. remember that too. You were
going off to the Cape or somewhere.
You begin to take shape in my mind.
But f35! / recall nothing of the kind.
My impression was that we settled up
and parted friends"
the paper 1t was written on. Your
name was unknown at the bank! 1t
was q check for f35."
81 should like to see II. At least, you
won't mind telling me whether it was
drawn on Stuckey's bankT'
1T was"
Exactly" cried the captain. ''It's as
plain as a pikestaff now. My dear
young fellow. apologize from the
very bottom OF my heart, for it has
been my mistake after all. What do
you think did? Wrote out my check
in Dick Wales check book. You recol-
lect Dick Vale? He banks at Stuckey's.
Pom my soul. I'm sorry. Here's my
handw
II prefer your money"
well. you shall see It tomorrow. l
don't carry f35 about in my evening
clothes"
Then suppose we turn back to your
rooms and you pay me there and now"
And where are my rooms. prayT
'In the village Of West End"
Blaydes swore a puzzled oath and
thumped his cane upon the ground.
you know lot!' he snarled.
II know where you're going, and I'm
coming too. I don't lose sight of you
tonight"
And they stepped out with no more
words. though Blaydes ground his
teeth and gripped his cane and tried
his best to drop a foot or two behind.
But Toms eye was on him. So he
stopped at stile, whereupon Tom
stopped, too. and as they stood there
passed laborer. who stared and wish
ed them good night.
''See here, Erichsen." exclaimed the
captain. II object to discussing private
matters on a turnpike road. Here's
path that's a short cut back into town.
Suppose come a part OF the way with
you and talk this thing over without
fear Of being heard. What do you
sayT"
"As you like. Your way is mine"
Blaydes shrugged his broad shout.
ders. tucked his cane under one arm
and laboriously crossed the stile. Tom
then followed him into a sloping field,
with beaten right Of way running
uphill through the dewy grass. They
climbed this path with the young moon
In their eyes. but not a word upon their
lips. and Toms thick stick grasped
tight by the knob. The ascent brought
them 10 q second hedge. backed by
row OF horse chestnuts all hazy with
tiny leaves. and to hollow beech be.
side she second stile. Here the captain
dropped his cane In the grass and,
limping pitiably. begged the other TO
pick II M. But Tom merely shifted II
with his foot. keeping a strange eye on
Blaydes as he did 50. The cane in the
grass had no gold knob. and the cap.
tain's right hand was tucked inside his
cloak.
Every prettily planned" said Tom.
with n sncer. but I should like to see
the rest Of that sword stickr'
The other laughed.
IL only drew IL in case Of need. You
are such a violent young blood! Ali.
you will have II. will you? There, then
and there-and thereg'
The yard OF thlI1, tempered steel had
been casually pPIiuced. aud Tom had
instantly struck ut IL with his stick.
Next moment Che point was within an
inch Of his body. but Tom retreated
nimbly. hitting high up the blade with
all his might. 10 snapped at the third
blow, whizzed In the air and came
iown sticking In tho grass. Only The
gold head and three inches Of blade
were left I'm the captains tlnglIng
hand.
"Chuck it away" said Tom, 'and
drop my stick. That's better. Now
about that money. You didn't bring
me up here to run me through the
body. Of coursel What was your oh.
jectr"
ITO settle with you-faIrly." said
Blaydes, with a lurch in his low voice.
III am overdue elsewhere. a. you have
found Out-the Lord knows how. II
had the money on me. II should I've
yours this minute. As I haven't Il |
propose this coinpromisc-w till to.
morrow aud I'll make II fifty and give
Tou an !. o. Z. on the spotF'
144aa4sS ..sa. j.