Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-20

them !" said McGrath.
what have to go on? You know
I've been robbed, chiseled and cheated
through the dishonesty, cowardice and
slothfulness of my watchmen. What
guaranty, l repeat, can you give that
you Will do your work we'll? What
will prevent your leaving me In what
may prove my hour of needT
| McGrath rose from where he sat,
advanced step or two, and said: me
wurrd, sir, is all can give ye."
"McGrath," said Morton, after mo-
ment's reflection, you may 60 on duty
tonight"
The superintendent escorted forth
with the new Waterman to the beat
which he was to take up later; that is,
from Z p. m. until 6 a. m.
He was shown the little Office and
given key to 1t, the Office in the mill,
In which telephone messages could be
sent and received, If necessary, all
night. In short, his routine was
mapped out and thoroughly explained.
1t was murky, cloudy night when
| the new Waterman went on duty at
the mills, which were situated In a
lonely quarter Of the town. There was
definite and professional DIR about
the little man as he carefully patrolled
his beat.
All went well until about 10 o'clock,
when he noticed man skulking on the
opposite side of the street. McGrath
observed him quietly, but went ON
steadily In his monotonous routine,
looking forward, nevertheless, to the
morning hour, when he could again be
with his sick wife and his baby.
A sharp ring came on the telephone
in the little room in the mill. McGrath
unlocked the door, entered. and took
down the receiver.
rs this you. McGrath? This IL Fa-
they Kelly calling you up. l am here;
also the doctor. The wife Is sink.
ing. 1t came OH suddenly, John. Don't
worry, my poor man: but try to got
here at once. Your duty? Or course.
l know. Get your boss or the super
intendent Oh the phone, aud get them
to send some one to the mill in YOUR
place. There'il be time. Now. Mind
bear up, my boy; bear up aua be- Tie
same man I've always known you to
be-"
McGrath hung UP the receiver Some
thing overwhelming whispered TO him,
Go. 60! This Is paramount. Go. 90
now! This outmeasures ali else"
He shook himself as one would shake
off an oppressive dream, and strobe up
to the telephone. "Give ME "a Gray"
said he. II want Mr.. Merton. Gone
out, you say? You don't know where;
and you don't know when he'll be back?
For the love Of God. get him at the
earliest minute! Tell him McGrath's
wife is dying, and that he wants to
be relieved at once"
McGrath then tried to find the SUPER
intendent Of the mills on the telephone,
but he had gone out of town for the
night.
Turning out the electric lights and
locking the door, McGrath went on bis
beat again.
Once more that tempting whisper
came to him. Now 1t grew until 1t be.
came tumult In his breast It was
the call Of the home.
"My wurrd, my duty!" he muttered
between clenched teeth.
Home, home, home!" 1t kept shout
ing to him, until It blended into a fear.
some, husky cry behind his back: do
him, Jimmy! Do up the greenyw
A man grasped him round the waist,
but McGrath, with the energy of a
tiger, threw him of and dealt him a
fearful blow with his night stick. The
man staggered back into the darkness.
But two others came up to the
Waterman with a rush. One held a re-
volver. Throw up your hands" he
whispered
"Neverw shouted .McGrath.
"Then die. you fool!" Kissed the 9TH
er, and fred point-blank ut him; but,
as he swayed before falling, McGrath
fred through his overcoat pocket the
shot that stretched the ruffan dead In
his tracks. The third man fed.
BY supreme effort McGrah dragged
himself to the door Of the little office.
How he ever managed to unlock the
door Is something most unaccountable.
How he hung on SO long to the tele-
phone shelf would be too pltiable to re-
late.
He rang up police headquarters.
Come to Morton's mills at once! It's
me-" he gasped. "McGrath, the new
watchman! Have killed burglar! He's
shot me! Get Mr.. Morton here Take
me ome-home-home-"
He sank, an inert mass, upon the
floor.
There was blaze Of acetylene
lamps, the throbblng Of giant motor
cars before the doors OF Mortons mills.
"Well, I'll be hanged, Mr. Norton
said the sergeant. but your new watch