Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-06-24

- he lowered there
-powe rfu
"Tuke your fighting bulky. menacing
c"N'co' then his arm
dropped heavily, the old stolid express
sion came back into his face. leaving
It calm. bovine, almost stupid again.
And he turned. moving slowly toward
the door, holding his hat carefully In
his gloved hand.
Stepping out of the elevator on the
ground floor. he encountered Morti-
not seen Mortimer for weeks: neither
had Leila, and now he looked at him
inquiringly, disturbed at his battered
and bloodshot appearance.
oh" said Mortimer. you down
hereT'
"Have 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, Il promised
you something once, didn't II"
Did your" said Plank. with his
bland. eXpressionless stare of an over
grown baby
"Oh, cut that out! You know l did,
and when l say a thing | make good
Dye see?"
II don't see said Plank, what you
are talking about"
I'm talking about what | said 10
do for you. Haven't ! made good?
Haven't | put you into everything
said | would? Don't you go every
where? Don't people ask you every
whereY
yes, in a way" said Plank YEARLY.
Il am very grateful. | always Will be.
Can do anything for you Leroy?'
Mortimer had attended a killing
at Desmonds and. as usual, had pro
vided 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
in vain, and he did not do so now. for
Plank had a pocket check book and
stylograph
Its little to ask, isn't ity' 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
a scowl.
Plank was discreetly silent
And that is not what | chased you
for. either" continued Mortimer. "Bev-
erly. old boy. I've got a certain mealy
faced hypocrite where any decent man
would like 10 have him-by the scruff
of his neck. He's fit only TO kick, and
I'm going to kick him good and plenty,
and IN the process he's going to let go
OF 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 q repeated Mortimer peev-
ishly beginning to lose countenance
Il don't understand YOU" said Plank,
"and / don't think ] want to under
stand YOU
what do you meanf demanded
Mortimer thickly. Don't you want to
marry that girl:" But he shrqnk dis
mayed under the slow blaze that light
ed Plank's bAle eyes.
"All right" he stammered, strug.
Cling TO his fat legs and instinctivey
backing away II 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 elsev'
Plank gazed at. him for a moment.
The anger In his face died out.
Il am not ungra~eful," 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. %
martyr to his emotions. ITO think
he gulped, that you Of all men should
turn on me like thisr'
IL didn't mean to. Can't you under
stand. Leroy. that you hurt mey'