The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1907-08-03


as If 1t had stung him; he jSxked out
a string OF hysterical nsensN end.
ing with a laugh so crazy that Nthe
sound Of It disconnected him. DRINK
was the explanation that drirted
through my mind: but in fact I
thought little about It, so full was 1
OF other matters.
when is your brother returning?'
said I to Tom.
"On the next steamer, | believe"
he replied. he went only for the
rest and the bath of sea air." with
an effort he collected himself drew
me aside and said: Il owe you an
apology, Mr.. Blackjack. went to
the steamer with Mowbray to see him
off, and he asked me to tell you about
our new dividend rate-though 1t was
not to be made public for some time.
Anyhow, he told me to go straight to
you-and frankly l forgot It," Then.
with the winning, candid Langdon
smile, he added, ENORMOUSLY: The
best excuse in the world-yet the one
nobody ever accepts"
mo apology necessary" said | with
the utmost good nature. i've no per-
sonal interest in textile. My house
deals on commission only, you know
never on margins for myself. I'm
banker and broker. not gambler.
Some of our customers we're alarmed
by the news of the big increase, and
insisted on bringing suit to stop 1t.
But I'm going to urge them now to
let the matter drop"
Tom tried to look natural, and as
he is an apt pupil of his brothers, he
succeeded fairly we'll His glance,
however, wouldn't fix steadily on my
gaze. but circled round and round 1t
like bat at an electric light. ITO
tell you the TRUTH" said he, I'm ex.
tremely nervous as to what my
brother will say-and do--to me,
when tell him. hope no harm
came to you through my forgetful.
ness"
None In the world" l assured him.
Then I turned on Sam. what are
you doing down town today" said
l. Are you on your way to see meT'
"Oh. was just calling on Tom" he
replied rather haughtily.
Then Melville himself came in,
brushing back his white tufted burn.
sides and licking his lips and blink
ing his eyes-looking for all the world
like cat at its toilet.
"Oh! an! Blackjack" he exclaimed.
with purring cordiality-and knew
he had heard Of the big deposit was
making. Come into my office on your
way out-nothlng speciJ-only be-
cause it's always a pleasure to talk
with you"
saw that his ELUSIVE friendliness
confirmed Tom Langdon's fear that
had escaped from his brothers tolls.
He stared sullenly at the carpet until
he caught me looking at him with
twlnkling eyes. He made a valiant
effort to return my smile and succeed
ed In twisting his face into a knot
that seemed to hurt him as much az
1t amused me.
We'll, goodby, Tom" said !. GIVE
my regards to your brother when he
lands. and tell him his going away
was a mistake. A man can't afford
to trust his important business to un
der-strappers," This with face free
from any suggestion OF intending Q
shot at him. Then to Sam: See yor
tonight. old man." and l went away
leaving Lewis looking from one to the
other as II he felt that there was dyn
amite about. but couldn't locate 1t.
stopped with Melville " talk coal fol
few minutes-at my ease, and the
last man on earth to be suspected o.
hanging by the crook Of one fingel
from the edge of the precipice.
rang the Ellersly's bell at half
past nine that evening. The butle
faced me with eyes not down, as the!
should have been, but on mine, ant
full of servile insolence to which h
had been prompted by what he hat
overheard in the family.
Not at home. sir" he said. though
had not spoken.
was preoccupied and not expecting
that statement neither had | skill
nor desire to acquire skill, In readinl
family barometers In the faces OF serv
ants. So was for brushing past hin
and entering where | felt | had a
much right as in my own places. IL
, barred the way.
Beg pardon, sir Mr.. Ellersly In
structed me to say no one was q
home"
, halted. but only like an oncominj
bear AT the prick Of an arrow.
What does this mean| | e1
claimed. waving him aside. At tina
instant Anita appeared from the httl
reception.room few feet away.
| "Oh--come in" she said cordially
II was expecting you. Burroughs
, please take Mr. Blacklock's hat"
, followed her into the reception
room, thinking the butler had mad
, some sort OF mistake.
How did you come out?" she aske
| eagerly, facing me. You look you
natural self-not tired or worried-s
il must have been not so bad as 20
feared"
III our friend Langdon hadn