Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-07-23

CHAPTER xv.-(Continued.)
COPYRIGHT 1908
THE BoBBs- MERRILL COMPANY
"&*~*~

CI1AIlEft
Wheaton's hand rested again on the
packet before him he had flushed to the
temples, but the color slowly dies out of
his face. 1t was very still in the room,
and the Waterman could be heard walk
Ing across the tiled lobby outside. 4 pa
troll wagon ratified In the street with a
great clang of it's gong. Wheaton had
moved the brown parcel a little nearer
to 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 ia
BILE toward Wheaton, who was between
him and the door.
What you got in that paper, JimT'
he asked, putting from his exertion.
Wheaton did not speak, but he picked
up the parcel and took a step coward The
door, Margrave advancing upon him.
Wheaton reached the door, holding the
package under his arm.
Don't touch me dom touch me-" he
said, hoarsely. Margrave still came to-
ward him. Wheaton's unengased hand
went nervously to his throat, and he fum-
bled at his tie. The sweat came out on
his forehead. 1t was a 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.
II want that package. Jim
EGO away! go away" The sweat
shone on Wheaton's forehead in great
drops. II can't, l can't-you know |
can't"
"You coward.!' said Margrave. Il
want that bundle.' He made a gesture
and Wheaton lodged and shrank away.
MArgrave laughed again; a malicious
mirth possessed hin. But he grew sud
denly fierce and his fat fingers closed
about Wheaton's neck. Wheaton huddled
against the door, holding the brown psct-
nt with both hands.
drop it! Drop It'll" blurted Mar
grave. He was breathing hard.
A sharp knock at the door against
which they struggled caused Margravs
to spring away. He walked down tine
room several PAGES with an assumption
.of carelessness and Wheaton, with the
bundle still under his arm, turned 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 Marsrave.
q relessly, but mopp'" his ,orehead with
his handkerchief.
.Here nre your papers, said Wheaton,
almost thrustirg mis- parcel into the law
yer,s hands. nv 4ss3s
s.AH rfkkt,. saId Fenton. looking curl
ousiy from one to the other. And then
glanced at the package. as if absent
Eindedly, and saw that the seal was I'M
Good night, gentlemen" he said. 'Sor-
s to have disturbed you" |
..How much Traction was in that pack
lgs?' asked Margrave, closing the door.
81 don't know said Wheaton, smooth
his tie. Thu Waterman could be
closing the outside door on Fen
on.
mo. I don't think you do" returned
Margrave. you'd fixed 1t pretty well
with Fenton. If he'd only been a minute
later I'd have got that bundle. I didn't
at first what you had there, Jim,
until you kept lingering it SO desperate
". Now there are those share you own
l hope we won't be interrupted
while you're getting them for me-"
Wheaton hesitated.
''I'm going from here to the Gazette
0IUEGs LOU AAOW thCy uV WhuSlA tCAi ChA
there. They'd like a little story
shout the aristocratic Wheaton family of
Ohio. Porter's girl would like that for
breakfast tomorrow morning"
Wheaton hung between two inclina-
one to make terms with Margrave
and assure his friendship at any hazard,
the other to break with him, let the con-
.saouences be what they might.
Hurry up said Margrave impatient
~ this Is my busy night and l can't
wait ON you. Dig 1t up"
Wheaton's hand went slowly to his
pocket. Al he drew OH his own certifi-
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 az Wheaton
forward to regain It.
"Not that! not that! That isn't
.ninsl"
NArgravs stepped back and swept the
.face Of the certificate with his eyes.
well! I knew you stood next, Jim
ghe said, insolently, "but I didn't know
that you were on such confidential terms
- ali this. And you witnessed the sig
nature. How sweet and pretty 1t all il I"
The paper exhaled the faint odor Of
O4eCneI, anu NAaISrdve ilIIeO IL TO his
snostrils with Z mockery Of delight.
II must have that, MargrAve. l will
Do anything, but l must have that-You
wouldn,t-
Nargrave watched him maliciously,
thoroughly enjoying his terror.
..How do you know I wouldn't? Give
ne the other one, Jim"
Still Wheaton held his own certificate;
he believed for q moment that he could
trade the one for the other.
s.Ism not going to fool with you much
lonser, Jim you either give me that GER
fidcate or I 70 to the Gazette ONCE as
se1aisAf ASST. can walk. just sign It in
Alank, til way the other one Is. I'll
Wftns0 Il al right"
Whsatsn wrote whilssAfafxrsve stood
over him, holding ready aebiotter which
~ applied to Wseaton's signature with.
m~nnecensasy care.
II hope this won't cause you any In
convenience with the lady. but you're UNI
1eubtedlyA fair liar and you can fix that
II right, particulafly"-with 4 chuckle
-*if the old man cashcs In"
wheaton followed ,Margraye's move
asnts a II under a spell that he, could
- shake on. Margrave walked toward
IN door with An AIR Of n~onchalence, |
on his Gloses.
q ~ Aaye1''ts ny check-book with me,
sJtA hut ri settle for your stock and
Mis- nvslyAs& to-. aitsrsI get things re-
.6~eganised. It'll be worth more money