Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-21

got orders from him soon's l got
judgment to close y up. And that goes.
see"'
Toto turn me out of the store,
Pete?" Graham's world had slipped
from beneath his feet. He was over
whelmed. And it was with childs
look of pitiful dismay and perplexity
that he faced the sheriff.
The father who has fallen short of
his child's trust and confidence knows
that look. To Duncan its appeal was
irresistible. He had his hand in his
pocket, clutching the still considerable
remains of what Kellogg had termed
his grubstake, before he knew it.
"But-there must be some mistake"
Graham repeated pleadingiy. 1T can't
be. Mr.. Lockwood surely wouldn't
Now. there amt no use whinin'
about itr' Willing roared him into ST.
lence. Law is law. and He ceas-
ed quickly, surprised to find Duncan
standing between him and his prey.
WHAT he began.
wait" Duncan touched him gen.
tly on the chest with a forefinger, at
the same time catching and holding
the sheriff's eye. Are you" he in
quired quietly, tailoring under the
impression that Mr. Graham is deaf"
"NNhatr
Duncan turned to Sam apologetical-
". HE said what Did you hear it,
sir?"
But by this time Pete was recover
ing to some degree. "What've you
got to say about this?" he demanded
crescendo.
IN show you" Duncan told him in
the same quiet voice. what I've got
to say If you'll just put the soft pedal
on and tell me the amount of that
note"
with interest and COSTS" he said
less stridently. lit figgers up three
hundred n eighty dollars n eighty
two cents"
There's no use denying that Duncan
was staggered For the moment his
poise deserted him utterly. He could
only repeat. as one who dreams.
Three hundred and eighty dollars"'
His momentary CONSERVATION afford
ed Pete the opening he needed. The
room shook with his regained sense Of
prestige
Yes. three hundred n eighty dol
lars n Say. you look a-herer'
Again the calm forefnger touched
him and like a hypnotist's pass
checked the rolling volume of noise.
Listen" begged Duncan. IF you've
got anything else to tell me please re-
tire to the opposite side OF the street
and whisper it. Meantime be quiet"
Duncan turned and made for the
soda counter. beneath which was the
till His scanty roll of bills was in his
right hand and there concealed. He
stepped behind the counter (old Sam
watching him with an Amusement no
less absolute than Pete'sl. pulled out /
the till. bent over it with an assured .
air and pushed back the coin slide /.
Then quite naturally he produced with .
his right hand his four hundred and
odd dollars from the bill drawer. stoOu f.
up and counted them with great DELHI /
GRAFTON
"One, two. three, four"
He smiled winningly at Pete. -Four
hundred dollars, Mr. Sheriff Now will /
you be good enough to hand over that I.
note and the change and then put .
yourself and that pickle you're wear
Ing in your face on the other side of /
the door,"
Il amt got the note with me, Mr..
Duncan"
Then perhaps you won't mind going
to the bank for it?"
Half suffocated. Pete assented. "Aw'
right. I'll go and git it. Kin have the
Certainly" Duncan extended the
bills. then on second thought withheld
them. Il presume you're a regular
sheriff." he inquired.
Very proudly Pete turned back the /
lapel of his coat and distended the
chest on which shone his nickel plated
badge of office. Duncan examined it
with grave admiration
It's beautiful" he said, with a !
sigh. Here"
GiDgerly Pete grasped the bills,
-humbed them over to make sure they
were real and bolted as fer his life.
MS coattails level on the breeze There
ioated back to Duncan and old Sam
MS valedictory. WAL. I'll be dod- .
yastedr
With short. quiet laugh Duncan
made as though to go out to the back
Yard. where the new stock was being
delivered.
I'm going" be said hurriedly. Ito
ind me Ratchet and knock the stuff
ng out of some of those packing
asses. Want to get all that truck in
loors before nightfall. you know"
But old Sam wasn't to be put off by
my such obvious subterfuge as that