Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-18
CHAPTER XIV.
Vic Goes VISITING.

1t was into the buzzing, question
asking. astonished world of Kirktown
that Vic Morris looked on the NOR
row He had put Grinding under
pains and penalties not to reveal his
presence-till the time should come.
What that precise moment was to be,
he did not deign to explain. 1t had
some connection with certain visits
he was going to pay. He had come 4
long way to do it.. The business must
not now be "mulled.'
"Going to apply for the late Mr..
Kahn's position?" broke in, not I'M
kindly, Walter Grinding. They were
now alone, for the baffied Inspector
had been off by the first train.
"Purrissima!'' cried the engineer,
put that's not at all bad idea. Only
it would be on conditions"
Getting your own way-a free
hand and so on, said Grinding; well
the four directors are to be here to-
morrow afternoon. If were you,
should at least see them"
Cant" said VIC decidedly. 1--WE
an appointment for that day."
ling was mystified; land you might
Ue .IllG dClluS uSdu uUSS VI lllCuUuS
and give US all the sack!"
oh said Vic, lightly, there's 81
job waiting for me out yonder where
come from. I'm not aching to be
back in Kirktown."
"Quarrelled?" said Grinding, arch
ing his eyebrows with the ghost of a
wink.
Vic Morris bent his brows upon him.
His strong nose seemed to hook more
broadly and fiercely than ever.
mo" he sail, 81 haven't auarrelled
yet! But you and | will-if you
talk like that"
81 meant no harm, I'm sure" said
Grinding; II tell you what, Morris
if you really mean that you won't ap-
ply for the management of the Incu-
bus properties-well then, will do
it for you! can quite understand
that you aightn't ike to do it when
on holiday-getting pay, and SO
on
mot cent" said Vic sharply.
I'm looking around bit on my own.
as our friend, lately departed you'll
have said. Thank You very much, but
would rather
Look here" said Grinding sud
denly, ':ycn don't want McKill to get
the running OF ali these hundreds Of
men-a pretty thing that would me:
He would stop every improvement
and
No. I should not want that" said
Vic. slowly "but why not yourself?''
oh said Grinding, with a sigh,
Il know my limitations and the name
get. I'm quite content. could
work Will You. though. ! can stand
booting as we'll as the next mar
that is If the footer tells me whaT
he is booting me for! But not Nc.
Kill That would break my heart
FAY, Norris-suppose that the thing
is offered to 3oI--yo'r Spanish PEG
pie can: complaint Wnat would yor
tloo"
Il should consider it," said Vic
knitting his brows.
Well. that's enough for me-sce
there!"
Grinding swept his hand across al
| the red brick blocks of houses al
panorama of Kirktown spread be
| low, 81 don't savvy myself much il
the way Of goodness. but it's plump
I up-dHtltuOWu ldCl ludl w ndN IL
| fight for every improvement. every
/ shilling Of outlay on the pits. on the
| houses on-ah well. there? You'll
| say I'm a queer specimen to be talk
/ ing 'goody' like this, when what is il
| they call my character?--so frivolous
That keeps me out of the berth the,
would give to McKill- good name fol
him. too-that is, If YOU don't let ms
stick up for you tomorrow with those
four director fellows!'
"Humph.' said Vic, "you act 10
! better than you talk, It's not com
mon Grinding
He held ont his hand
"Shake!" he said.
And quite gravely they took hands
gripping hard
Now" said Vic Morris. ''kindl
! put your head in a bag Grinding