Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-03-11

Iuke DoHf Jt1httnD bulky meuaciug
cfto'tee then his arm
dropped heavily, the old stolid express
sion came back into his face, leaving
IL calm, bovine, almost stupid again.
And he turned, moving slowly toward
the door, holding his hat carefully in
his gloyed hand.
Stepping out of the elevator on the
ground floor. he encountered Morti-
mer and halted instlnctively. He had
not seen Mortimer for weeks; neither
had Leila, and now he looked at him
dnqulrlngly, disturbed at his battered
and bloodshot appearance.
si0h," said Mortimer, you down
hereT'
.sHave you been out of town." asked
Plank cautiously.
Mortimer nodded and started to pass
on toward the bronze cage of the ele-
vator, but something seemed to occur
to him suddenly. He checked his pace,
turned and waddled after Plank, re-
Joining him on the marble steps of the
rotunda.
'Look here" he said. u promised
you something once. didn't IT.
did your" said Plank, with his
bland. expressionless stare of an over
grown baby.
'iOh, cut that out! You know | did,
and when say thing | make good.
Dye see2'
81 don't See said Plank. what you
are talking about"
''I'm talking about what l said I'd
do for you. Haven't / made good /?
Haven't | put you into everything
said l would? Don't you go every
where? Don't people ask you every
whereT'
Eyes. in way" said Plank YEARLY.
II am very grateful. always will be.
Can | do anything for you, Leroyr'
Mortimer had attended a ''killing"
mt Desmond's and, as usual, had pro-
gIded the piece de resistance for his
soft voiced host All he wanted was
a temporary deposit to tide over mat
tiers. He had never approached Plank
I'm vain, and he did not do so now, for
Plank had a pocket check book and a
sfylograph.
Its little to ask, isn't itT' he NUT
tered resentfully. THAT will only
square matters with Desmond. 1t
doesn't leave me anything to go on
with" And he pocketed his check with
= scowl
Plank was discreetly silent
And that is not what | chased you
for. either continued Mortimer. "Bev-
eriy, old boy, I've got certain mealy
faced hypocrite where any decent man
would like to have him-by the scruff
of his neck. He's fit only to kick, and
Am going to kick him good and plenty,
and in the process he's going to let go
Sof several things One of ems yours"
Plank looked at him.
Il told You once that I'd let you
know when TO step up and say Good
evening didn't II"
Plank continued to stare
Didn't II" repeated Mortimer peev-
isbiy, beginning to lose countenance.
- don't understand you" said Plank,
land I don't think want to under
stand YOU"
what do you mean7" demanded
Mortimer thlckly. Don't you want to
marry that girl?" But he shrank dis
mayed under the slow blaze that light
ed Plank's blue eyes.
@All right" he stammered, strug-
Cling to his fat legs and instinctively
backing away. Il thought you meant
business. What the devil do care
who you marry! It's the last time |
. try to do anything for you or for any
body elsep'
Plank gazed at him for moment.
The anger in his face died out.
Il am not ungrateful" he said.
You may say almost anything except
that. Leroy | am not disloyal, no
matter what else may be. But you
have made bad mistake. So let US
forget the matter"
But Mortimer keenly appreciative
OF the pleasures of being misunder
stood. squeezed some moisture out Of
his distended eyes and sat down, a
martyr to his emotions ITO think"
be guIped, shat you of all men should
turn on me like thisg'
II didn't mean to. Can't you under
stand. Leroy. that you hurt meP
Hurt nothing!" retorted Morti-
g0sr vindictiyely. You have had
sensation battered out of