Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-09-02
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CHAPTER XV.-(Continued.
COPYRIGHT 1908
THR BoBBs- MERRILL COMPANY

Wheatons hand rested again on the
packet before him: he had flushed to the
temples, but the color slowly died out OF
his face. 1t was very still in the room
and the watchman could be heard walk.
ing across the tiled lobby outside. A pa.
troll wagon ratified in the street with q
great clang of its gong. Wheaton had
moved the brown parcel a little nearer
10 the edge of the table, Margrave no.
ticed this and for the first time took a
serious interest in the packet He was
not built for quick evolutions. but he
made a sudden movement around the ta-
bic toward Wheaton, who was between
him and the door
What you got in that. paper, jim?
he asked, putting from his exertion.
Wheaton did not speak but he picked
up the parcel and took a step toward the
door, Margrave advancing upon him
Wheaton reached the door, holding the
package under his arm.
Don't touch me; don't touch me- he
said. hoarsely. Margrave still came to-
ward him. Wheaton's unengaged hand
went nervously TO his throat, and he fum-
bed at his tie The sweat came out on
his forehead. 1t was curious scene, the
tall, dark man in his evening clothes,
pitiful in his agitation. with his back
against the door, hugging the bundle
under one arm; and Margrave, in his
rough business suit, walking toward
Wheaton, who retreated before him.
Il want that package, jim"
Go away. go away." The sweat
shone on Wheaton's forehead in great
drops. Il can't, l can't-you know
can'tw
you coward said Margrave. II
want that bundle" He made gesture
and Wheaton lodged and shrank away
Margrave laughed again; a malicious
mirth possessed him. But he grew sud
denly fierce and his fat fingers closed
about Whea tons neck. Wheaton huddled
against the door, holding the brown pack
ct with both hands.
Drop it, Drop it :" blurted Mar
grave. He was breathing hard.
A sharp knock at the door against
which they struggled caused Margrave
TO spring away. He walked down the
room several PAGES with an assumption
of carelessness, and Wheaton, with the
knob Of the door.
Hello, Wheaton, called Fenton,
blinking in the glare of the lights.
GOOD evening" said Wheaton.
How're you, Fenton,' said Margrave
carelessy. but mopping his forehead with
his handkerchief.
Here are your papers," said Wheaton.
almost thrusting his parcel into the law
yer's hands.
"All right said Fenton, looking curl
ously from one to the other. And then
he glanced at the package, as if absent
mindedy, and saw that the seal was un-
broken.
Good night. gentlemen" be said. "Sor-
ry to have disturbed you"
How much Traction was in that pack
ageT" asked Margrave, closing the door.
II don't know" said Wheaton, smooth
ing his tie. The watchman could be
heard closing the outside door on Fen
ton.
NO, l don't think you do" returned
Margrave. You'd fixed it pretty we'll
with Fenton. If he'd only been a minute
later I'd have got that bundle. l didn't
realize at first what you had there, Jim,
until you kept lingering it so desperate
ly. Now there are those share you own,
Jim. | hope we won't be interrupted
while you're getting them for me-
Wheaton hesitated.
I'm going from here to the Gazette
Office You know they do what | tell 'em
over there They'd like a little story
about the aristocratic Wheaton family of
Ohio. Porter's girl would like that for
breakfast tomorrow morning"
Wheaton hung between two inclina-
tions, one to make terms with Margrave
and assure his friendship at any hazard.
the other to break with him, let the con-
sequences be what they might
Hurry up" said Margrave impatient
Iy; this is my busy night and | can't
wait on you. Dig it up"
Wheaton's hand went slowly TO his
pocket As he drew out his own certif-
cate with nervous fingers, the certificate
which Evelyn Porter had given him an
hour before fell upon the table.
That's the right color" said Mar
grace, snatching the paper as Wheaton
sprang forward to regain it.
Not that. not that! That isn't
nine!"
Margrave stepped back and swept the
face of the certificate with his eyes.
well! l knew you stood next, Jim,"
he said, insolently, but | didn't know
that you were on such confidential terms
as all this. And you witnessed the sig
nature How sweet and pretty it all is -
The paper exhaled the faint odor of
satchet, and Margrave lifted it to his
nostrils with mockery of delight.
II must have that. Msrgrave. | will
do anything, but | must have that-You
wouldn't"
Margrave watched him maliciously,
enjoying his terror.
How do you know | wouldn't? Give
me the other one, Jim"
Still Wheaton held his own certificate;
be believed for a moment that he could
trade the one for the other.
I'm not going to fool with you much
longer, Jim; you either give me that GER
ti6cate or I go 10 the Gazette Office as
straight as can walk. Just sign 1t In
blank, the way the other one is. I'll
witness II all right"
Wheaton wrote while Margravs stood
vvsr him. holding ready g blottsr which