Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-08-18

Mr BaIcomb," said Pollock at hi
elbow, may speak to you a moment
Certainly" said Balcomb in his us
ual amiable fashion. "Only I'm engag.
ed for this dance and have lost my
partner"
That's my own fix" declared Pol.
lock, but my errand is brief Let us
step out here"
He led the day to door opening up.
on the main stairway of the buildina
and they paused there, Pollock with
his back to the door, facing Balcomb
He carried one glove in his hand and
was very trim and erect in his evening
clothes
Mr.. Balcomb, l was so unfortunate
as to overhear your conversation Of a
moment ago-with some one / didn't
know, but that doesn't matter-in
which you referred to young lady-a
young lady who came here tonight
under your escort, in terms that gem
tleman would not use"
las a confessed eavesdropper / don't
believe it is necessary for you to say
anything further" said Balcomb, with
heat, and he took a step toward the
door of the assembly
Pollock touched him on the shoulder
with the tips of his fingers, very light
ly. Balcomb was half a head taller
and much bulkier, but the tips of Pol
locks fingers seemed to carry GER
tain insistence, and Balcomb drew
back
Il shall hold you responsible for this,
you-"
Il certainly hope you will. AS I was
saying, you referred to a young lady,
who was here under your protection, in
terms which no one but a contemplate
cur would use of a woman"
Balcombs arm went up and he
struck at Pollock with his fist The
officer stood as he had been, but the
glove in his right hand slapped smart
ly upon Balcomb's face, and Balcomb
took an involuntary step backward
down the stairway
In the part of the country that l
came from, Mr.. Balcomb," Pollock
continued in an easy conversational
tone, I'VE do very pleasant things 70
bright and captivating people of your
stripe"-he took another step forward,
and Balcomb, a little white in the face,
retreated again-"but in this instance"
Pollock lifted his left hand to his
shadowy moustache and gave it a
twist; he took another step and Bal
comb yielded before hint shall let
you off with unwarranted leniency"
Balcomb, forced another step down
ward, had grown red with fury, and
again struck at Pollock, but with the
result that Balcomb stumbled and re-
treated two steps instead of one, reach
ing a landing. With this more secure
footing he gained courage.
You little cur, you little" he blus-
tered, drawing his face down so that
he could glare into Pollock's eyes.
Yes" said Pollock, calmly; Il have
been called little before; so that your
statement lacks novelty. AS l was say
ing''-and he leaned against the stair
rail with the tips of the fingers of his
gloved hand thrust into his trousers
pocket, and holding the other glove in
his right hand-'I haven't time now TO
go into the matter further, but l am
always at your service. 1t will give me
great pleasure to make your excuses TO
Miss Merriam, or to any other friends
you may be leaving behind you-owing
to an illness that made 1t necessary
for you to Ieave-suddenly. Now you
will oblige me by continuing on down
to the coat room-unattended. There
are probably some gentlemen below
there that should very much dislike
to explain matters to-"
1fprl,f fO1 uysd a q
though to make a rush for the door of
the assembly room.
TRY that again." said Pollock, seiz-
ing him by the collar, and throwing
him back, "and I'll drop you over the
banister."
Some men had entered the lower hall
from the smoking-roo and Balcomb
greeted them cheerily as he turned and
went below as though to join them.
Pollock stood above waiting for Bal
comb to reappear, and as he waited he
resumed his glove and buttoned 1t
with care. The waltz was nearly over,
bue he stood there leaning against the
stair-rail and beating time to the mu-
sic with his foot until he saw Balcomb
come out of the coat room clad for the
street. When Balcomb looked up, Pol
lock waved his hand to him gracious
Iy, and turned and went back into the
hall.
Miss Merriam" he said, bowling be-
fore Olive, Il very much regret to pre-
sent Mr.. Balcomb's compliments and to
say that he has been Unexpectedly
called away--pressing business-and
he asked me to do myself the honor to
see that you don't get lost. This Is
our dance"
ITO be continued)