The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-07-23

SINNERS hands were now engaged
with his watch-chain- He was twirI-
ing II neryously. A shade OF paiior
deepened In bis heavy face.
Il think" said the other man, cool
~. you can guess what mean.
don't want 10 hurt your feelings and
10 go into needless details. But dare
say you viii call 70 mind that there Is
a certain circumstances which you
would not like 10 be brought 10 light,
either now or In the future. This Is
very censorious country. Mr. Skin
ner. and people insist on their Con
gressional representatives having I'M
spotted records. or. at least. records
where the spots are decently covered
up Need / say moreT'
Skinner did not reply for a moment
Then, with sudden anger, be burst
out:
$50 you're going in for blackmaii.
are your"
Pardon me, but I'm doing nothing
OF the sort I'm not asking for money
I'm asking for mere justice. All these
years I've kept silent. when, II had
liked. could easily have wrung from
you by limiting 70 you Of the exposure
which few words OF mine would
bring about"
And had you done 20. should have
sent for policeman" muttered Skin
ner.
Hardy. for n 80. why don't you
ring that bell now. and call in a pO-
llcemanYs observed Klmber. triumph
antly. Il can promise you that
shan't try TO escape. But, really. Mr.
skinner, l dokbt II you would have
been foolish enough TO ask Cor police
assistance. There are cases where
compromise is the best plan and the
safest This case is one Of them"
The two men eyed each other, as
though they were measuring their rel
alive strengths. Kimber stood the
gaze OF his employer unfiinchlngly. I'm
N that hour. be had never dreamed
that be possessed so much courage.
The hour-had called 1t forth. and 10,
Il had come.
-Now. look here said Skinner.
after pause. -All this may be mere
blum. Where are your porofs Of your
absurd stafementsT
The proofs" replied Kimber. calDz-
Is. lie in the mouth Of the person
who con1ded TO me the Srory."
skinner swayed back. a slight foam
on his lips
Great heavens.- be gasped. ~then
She"
-Yes. she is stiil alive. and very.
very anxious 10 be kicking as well"
returned Kimber. quickly. -but as 1t
happens she does not know exactly
whore to ind you do. Now do you
understand
steamer sat down. and buried his
faossRA bis hands
~confound you" he said. thickly. Il
thought It was all over and forgot
fer.-
Most men do comfort themselves
with that belief" observed Kimber,
''but they find out their mistake soon
er or later. But. believe me. Mr.. Skin
ner, l have no wish to cause you any
distress I have merely referred TO
the episode to show that speak Of
what know. The skeleton Is locked
In your cupboard. and happen to
have a key as well as you. That's all.
But I don't want to use the key II I
can help it
pause followed. during which va
rlous emotions throbbed through Skin
rer's poor. sorlld little soul Rage.
fear. and surprise held the high place
there. and Il was easy TO see that the
words Of his clerk had produced ter
rlble impression.
The clock struck 4.
-I'm afraid" said Klmber, that I'm
taking up too much Of your time"
"No. no. wait moment"
Kimber smiled. and sat down again
Presently his employer looked at
him intently.
Mr.. Kimber," he said. and the fact
that he used the word Mr." struck
the clerk as being significant Il sup
pose that you are not vindictive
man.
II hope not"
-you cannot really have any grudge
against me except that you think you
have received an unjust dismissal"
THAT Is my only grievance
Suppose that the dismissal were to
be withdrawn. the grudge. l imagine,
would be withdrawn alsoT'
~0f course =
A deep sigh OF relief issued from
Mr.. SINNERS throt. He rose. and al
most smiled
Then he said, you may consider
yourself reinstated."
Thank you very much. sir"
Klmber reached for his hat and UNI
bfella. and went toward the door.
Que moment" murmnred Mr.. Skin
ner. you told me just now that you