Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-03-07

/ given him an opening. He recognized
| his chance.
''There's one thing" he said deliber-
ately, ''that / won't stand for, and
that's any vulgar misconception on
your part of my friendship for you.
Do you follow me?"
81 don't misunderstood it," protested
| Plank, angry and astonished. 81
DON'T
"As though" continued Mortimer
menacingly, II were one of those
needy social tipsters, one of those shah
] by, pandering touts who
"For heavens sake, Mortimer, don't
| talk like that! 1 had no Intention
"-one Of those contemplate, para
site leeches," persisted Mortimer, get
ting redder and hoarser, who live on
men like you. Confound you, Plank,
what the devil do you mean by itT'
Mortimer, are you crazy to talk to
me like thatT
| "No, I'm not, but you must be! I've
a mind to drop the whole cursed bust
ness! I've every inclination to drop it!
| If you haven't horse sense enough-if
you haven't innate delicacy sufficient
to keep you from making such a
break
81 didn't. It wasn't break, Morti-
mer. wouldn't have hurt you
"YOu did hurt me! How can feel
the same again? I never imagined you
thought l was that sort of a social
mercenary. Why, so little did dream
/ I.o4 R~so I1AS ~
that light that was-on my word Of
honor-I was just now on the point of
asking you for $4,000 or $4,000 to carry
me to the months end and square my
bridge balance"
Mortimer, you must take it, You
are fool to think l meant anything
| by saying l wanted to show my graft
| tude. Look here; be decent and fair
with me. l wouldn't offer you an af
| front-would I-even if l were cad?
| | wouldn't do it now just when you're
| getting things into shape for me. I'm
not a fool anyway. This is in deadly
earnest, tell you, Mortimer, and I'm
getting angry about it. You've got to
show your confidence in me. You've
got to take what you want from me as
you would from any friend"
There was a pause. A curious and
unaccustomed sensation had silenced
Mortimer. something almost akin to
shame. 1t astonished him little. He
did not quite understand why in the
very moment of success over this
stolid, shrewd young man and his
! thrifty Dutch instincts he should feel
uncomfortable. Were not his services
worth something? Had he not earned
at least the right to borrow from this
; rich man who could afford to pay for
what was done for him? Why should
he feel ashamed? He had not been
| treacherous; he really liked the fellow.
| Why shouldn't he take his money?
"See here, old man." said Plank, ex
tending a huge highly colored hand.
sis all square between us now"
81 think So" muttered Mortimer.
! But Plank would not relinQuish his
hand.
"Then tell me how to draw that
check! Great heaven, Mortimer. what
is friendship, anyhow. if it doesn't in
clude little matters like this-little mis-
understandings like this? I'm the man
to be sensitive, not you. You have
been very good to me. Mortimer.
could almost wish you in a position
where the only thing l possess might
square something Of my debt to you"
A few minutes later while he was
filing in the check dusty youth in
riding clothes and spurs came in and
found a seat by one Of the windows,
into which he dropped, and then looked
about him for a servant.
"Hello, FleetXood!' said Mortimer,
glancing over his shoulder to see
whose spurs were ringing on the pol
ished floor.
Fleetwood saluted amiably with his
riding crop, including Plank, whom
he did not know, in more formal sa-
! lutte.
. "Will you join us? asked Morti-
mer, taking the check which Plank Of
fered and carelessly pocketing it with
out even a nod of thanks. "You know
Beverly Plank, Of course? What! i
: thought everybody knew Beverly
/ Plank"
! Mr.. Fleetwood and Mr.. Plank shook
| hands and resumed their seats.
Ripping weather. observed Fleet
wood, replacing his hat and rebutton-
i ing the glove which he had removed
/ to shake hands with Plank. LOT Of
| jolly people out this morning. l say,
| Mortimer, do you want that roam hunt
/ er Of mine you looked over? mean
/ King Dermid, because Marion Page
wants him if you don't. She was out
/ this morning, and she spoke Of it
! again"
| Mortimer, lifting a replenished glass,
shook his head and drank thirstily in
silence.
"Saw you at Westbury, think"
said Fleetwood politely to Plank as
the two lifted their glasses to one an
other.