Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-22

wen. Dy -, sir, III saw tnat clalu
WELL by =. sir. I'm that claim
agent: and I do offer You SD for that
filly. right now,'
What. YOU"
Yes. me-
Fifteen dollars-
Yes. sir; SO.
Col. Blount burst into sudden song
"On Jordan's strand I'll take my stsndr'
he began.
Its all she's worth" interrupted the
claim agent
Blount fairly gasred. ado You mean TO
tell me- said he. in forced calm. that
you are this claim AGENT
II have told you. That's the way j
make my living. That's my duty"
yah filly?''
II said fifteen
And L said fifty"
You don't get it,
II don't. Ell? Say. my friend"-Biount
pushed the glasses away, his color rising
at the temerity of this. the only man who
in many a year had dared to confront
him. You look here. Write me "a
check for fifty: an write IT now. With
a sudden whip OF his hand he reached
behind him. Like flash he pulled a long
revolver from its holster Eddring gazed
into the round aperture of the muZzle
and certain surrounding apertures of the
cylinder. Write me check. said
Blount, slowly. land write It for fifty.
1 may tear it up when / get It'll don't
care 10 cents for it-but you write it,
The eyes of the two met and which
were the Drawer man IL had been hard To
tell. Neither flinched. Eddring returned
a gaze as direct as that which he re-
ceived. The iorid face back of the bar
rel held a CLEAN of half admiration at
witnessing his deliberation. The claim
agents eye did not falter.
You said $40. Col. Blount," said lie.
just a suggestion of a smile at the cor
ner OF his mouth. Don't you think there
has been a slight misunderstanding be-
tween us two? If you are so blamed par
ticular and really want check for fifty.
why, here il is He busted himself a
moment. and passed over a strip of paper.
Even as he did SO. the Ire of Col. Blount
cooled as suddenly as il had gained
warmth. A sudden contrition sat on his
face. and he crowded the paper into his
pocket with an air half shamed-faced.
''Sir-Mr. Eddring-" he began. falter-
ingly.
"WelI, what do you want? You've got
your check. and you've got the railroad.
We've paid our little debt to you"
Sir said Blount. MY friend-why,
sir. here is your julep."
ITO he'll with your julep. sir"
my friend said Blount, flushing.
"You serve me right. I am forgetting my
duties as gentleman. / asked you into
"I'n see you damned first" said Ed
dring holly.
Right cried Blount. exultingly.
You're right. You are one of the fight
ing Eddrings. sure as you're born. Why,
sir, come on in. You wouldn't punish the
son of your uncle's friend, your own dad
dy's friend. would you? Why, man, L
know your folks
But the ire of Eddring was now
81. a. lDx.u
with difficulty suppressed, began to flame
in spite of him.
Bring me out a plate" said he. bit
terly, land let me eat on the gallery. LAS
you say. / am only claim agent Good
God mani And then of a sudden his
wrath arose still higher. His own hand
made a swift motion. Give me back
that check" he said. and his extended
hand presented a weapon held steady as
though supported by the limb of a tree.
"Well, by the eternal" half whispered
Col. Calvin Blount to himself. Amt he
a fightin' chicken"
Give it to me-" demanded Eddring;
and the other, astounded' humnied.
reached into his pocket and produced the
paper.
II will give II to you, boy" said he. So
berry. land twenty like it. If you'll forget
all this and come into my house.
'I will not, sir" said Eddring. This
ooh. business said Blount
"Sir." said John Eddring, 1.-THE world
never understands when fellow has to
choose between being business man ana
a gentleman l can't AFFORD 10 DE gem
tleman-"
"And you are so much one. my son"
said Calvin Blount grimly. that you
won't do anything but what you Know is
right My friend, / won't ask you IN
again. not any more. right now. But
When YOU come right easy and pleasant,
my son, why, you know ] want you.
John Eddring's har-set jaw relaxed
trembled, and he dared not commit NM
self to speech. With a straight look into
Col. Blount's eyes, he half turned away,
and passed on down the path. Biount
looking after him more than hair yearn-
ingly.
So intent. indeed was the latter in his
gaze upon the receding figure that he Old
not hear the swift rush of light feet on
the gallery, nor turn until Miss, Lady
stood before him The girl swept him
deep curtsey, spreading out the skirt or
her biscuit-colored gown in hooking DEL
erence Of posture.
"Please. Mr.. Colonel said she. 'since
he can't hear the dinner bell. would he be
good enough to tell whether or not he VIII
come i'm and eat? Everything is growing
cold: and I made the biscuits.
Calvin Rlount put out his hand, ana a
softer shade came upon his face. "Oh. it
is YOU Miss Lady, is it?" said he yes.
I'm back home again. And you mace the
biscuits. eh?" .
Il called to you several times" said
Miss Lady. WHO is that gentleman you
are staring at? Why doesn't he come in
and eat with u.s.?
Col. Blount turned slowly as Miss Lady
tugged at his arm. Who is he?' he re-
rlied. half musingly. "Who is he? You
tell me- He refused to eat in Calvin
Blount house: that's why he didn't come
in. Miss Lady. He says he's the COW
coroner on the railroad; but / want to
tell YOU he's the finest fellow and the
nearest 10 "A gentleman that ever struck
this country That's what he is. I'm
mighty troubled over hts going away.
why he didn't drink his julep!' said
Miss Lady. severely.
No" said BIount. miserably.
And he hasn't any other place TO eat"
said Miss Lady, argumcntatively.
"No."
And he-he hasn't been introduced to
me- said Miss Lady. conclusively.
No
col. Cal. call him. said Miss Lady
decSvely.
Her words reused the old planter
'You-I say. Eddring: you. there, Come
on back here! Forgot somethine,"
In sDite of himself-or was il in union
with himself?-John Eddring turned back,
and at last stood hat i'm hand near t.
the others 4 smile softened the stern
features of Col. Blount az he pointed
half quizzically, to the untastel julep or
the board pile.
Besides. Mr.. Eddring." said he; ''be.
cir Won have not vet heard that Ills