Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-08-09
think. for the elder man. What is

think. for the elder man. What Is 1t
you want. Mr.
My So
Your 10: Yours: Look here.
begin L. remember yuu. Your name Is
Erir-Eric something or other. And
was fool enough IL play with you,
Erie. remember that to-. You were
going Of Ia the cap" or somewhere.
You begin t. take shape In my mind.
But t;:5. recall nothing of the kind.
My Impression was that we settled up
AMI parted friends"
You settled with a check not worth
the paper II was written on. Your
name was unknown at the bank. 1t
WAS a check for $50
Il should Ike to see II. At least, you
won't mind telling me whether it was
drawn on Stuckey's bank
1T was"
Exactly" cried the captain. It's as
plain as pikestaff now. My dear
young fellow. apologize from the
very bottom of my heart. for 1t has
YOU think did: Wrote out my check
In Dick Wales check book. You recol-
lect Dick Vale: He banks at Stuckey's.
'pon my soul, I'm sorry. Here's my
hand"
II prefer your money"
well, you shall see 1t tomorrow. I
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 a lot" he snarled
II know where you're going. and I'm
coming too. ! don't lose sight of You
tonight"
And they stepped out with no more
words. though Blaydes ground his
teeth and grippcd his cane and tried
his best to drop 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 a
path that's a short cut back into town.
Suppose come part Of the way with
you and talk this thing over without
fear Of being heard. What do you
sayf"
"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 n 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 q word upon their
lips, and Toms thick stick grasped
tight by the knob. The ascent brought
them to second hedge, backed by O
row Of horse cheStnuts all haZy with
tiny leaves, and to q hollow beech be-
side the second stilc. Here the captain
dropped his cane in the grass and,
lImping pitiably. begged the other to
pick it up. But Tom merely shifted II
with his foot. keeping a strange eye on
Blaydes as he did SO. The cane in the
grass had no gold knob. and the cap
tain's right hand was tucked inside his
cloak.
VERY prettily planned" said Tom,
with a sneer. but should like to see
IL
The other laughed.
II only drew it in case Of need. You
are such a violent young blood! All
| you will have 1t. will you? There, then
| and there-and there
The yard Of thin, tempered steel had
been casually produced. and Tom had
instantly struck at 1t with his stick
Next moment the point was within an
inch Of his body. but Tom retreated
nimbly. hitting high up the blade will
all his might 1t snapped Mt the third
blow. whizzed in the air AMI came
down sticking In the grass. Only TIL
gold head and three inches Of blade
were left in the captains tinglinf
hand.
CHUCK 1t 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 course. What was your OBJ
jectY"
ITO settle with you-fairly," sale
Blaydes. with lurch in his low voice
Il am overdue elsewhere. as you have
found out-the Lord knows how! II
l had the money on me. 1t should IN
yours this minute. AS l haven't It
| propose this cOmpromise-wait till to
morrow and I'll make It fifty and give
you an l. o. L. on the spot!'
mo. no. Blaydes. Once bit-onct
bit! Very sorry. but 1t can't be done
| Blaydes muttered an oath MS he tool
out his watch. pressed the spring. ant
1t struck 10 and then the three quar-
tiers. like fairy bells. He did not pu
the watch away again. but stood witt
1t in his hands and presently detached
the chain from his waistcoat He hat
already turned his face to the moon
and he now glanced over his shoulder
and beckOned to Tom.
Just have a look at this" he said
mo: take 1t in your hands and exam
1ne 1t properly"
The watch was a repeater OF q type
even then old fashioned. 1t was very
Ez-.-'':'.'.7s''' ,..'A