The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-02-07

"There is something l want you to
see"
mo, thanks" vas the brusque reply.
II don't like those speciality shows.
It's Il waste of time"
""This is something very Special in
sisted Dick.
Nothing to interest me-" declared
MIR. Hartsell. Il have some papers to
read over for Blatchford. l promised to
give him an opinion in the morning."
"You won't Gomez demanded Dick.
Certainly not!!' was the irritated re-
Spouse.
ION your own head be It," said Dick
solemnly as he turned away. Some
thing in the tone alarmed the elder
man. He turned his steps to follow
Dick, and presently they entered the
deserted lobby together.
Graham was apparently waiting 70,
them, for at their approach he led the
way into the empty auditorium. In re-
spouse to his shouts a white curtain
was dropped on the stage, and from,
the balcony above came the whirring
noise of the projecting machine.
On the screen, in Pickering letters Of
light. appeared Il legend announcing
that the dives of New York would be
shown. In Il moment this gave way to
an interior that fairly represented one
Of the drinking resorts known all over
the country by name and reputation,
or lack of it.
Seated at the tables were gay parties,
and the lawyer gasped as at the near
est table he perceived a figure S % like
his own that it might nave been his
twin.
Been having a mighty good time in
New York." cllucklcd Dick as he turn
ed to Mr.. Hartsell. Il thought you'd
like to see this film before Graham
puts it on next week. Wait for the
rest"
"Is there mOre:' was the reply, ac-
%companied by Il gasp Of horror.
Lots" said Dick tersely. You must
have been making Il night OF It,"
In succession half Il dozen other pic
lures were shown, in most Of which
Mr.. Hartsell's double appeared. AS the
last picture nickered and vanished
from the screen the lawyer turned to
the manager.
eff You run those pictures III have
you ~prosccuted!." he cried. Graham
smiled, but it was Dick who spoke.
"That would be a splendid adver-
tisement," he reminded. Just the way
to invite attention to your good time
ut was not my good time" protest
ed uartsell. with emphasis.
''How many people do you suppose
would believe that statement!' said
Dick as his smile broadened. "Your
very emphasis would lend color to the
belief that it was you"
What can l do?" asked Hartsell
hopelessly as the truth Of the remark
impressed itself upon him.
You might buy them" suggested
Dick. Il own the only negative and
the only positive made"
Name your price, spluttered the
lawyer. Its nothing short Of black
mail, but l suppose it is better to sub
nit"
I'm glad to see that you take a SEN
sible view of the matter" said Dick.
Il don't mind admitting that l posed
for the pictures myself. I'm rather
good at amateur acting, and I studied
you for a week. They will cost your
consent to Rhoda's marriage"
II shall use that explanation when
you show the pictures" said Mr.. Hart
sell IS he turned away. you have
o~verreached yourself and have pro-
vided me with a defense"
"If you do, l shall say that ! am
merely doing it to shield my father-in-
law to be-" said Dick. Then every
one will believe that l am nobly taking
the blame for our indiscretions. You
know they will"
Unfortunately for his peace Of mind.
Mr.. Hartsell did know that Dicks ex-
PLANTATION would find credence. but he
was not yet willing to give in. Dick
forced an issue.
"Take another look at them" he
urged. "They might help convince you
that. even at the price. they are cheap
that one in the opium den. for in
stance, where you choke over the
smoke from your pipe"
Howard Hartsell raised his hand.
"Come home to dinner and fix it up
with Rhoda." he said weakly. ITS
compromising a felony. but
Dick smiled as he took from the op-
orator the two tin cases containing the
films.
ut beats the gun method" he whis-
pered to himself.