Middletown transcript., 1910-02-19
But Parker only shrakged tLa

they're responsible
/ suppose you're right, Hall
Eouched slowly. Never thought
II that. But, then, not many try
10 get their loss refunded in a
Ease like this.
The mine owners lips tighten
ed. Nor Well, I'm one that
does. I've lost two bags Of dust
from that stage and never within
pered. But this time I'm going
10 make them refund that two
thousand.
Promptly, on an urgent wire
from Hall. the CON pany hurried
It's detectives on the scene. And
rs on previous occasions, they
fumed and sweated, talked
mysteriously and atgreat length,
did nothing to clear up the tangle.
and finally slipped away to Den
yer. Two weeks later the COM
pany sent q representative to.
the camp, and he wrote out a
check for two thousand dollars
for Parker.
And as it was nearing the
yearly cleanup al the shelters,
Parker left the affairs of the mine
in charge of his foreman and
boarded q train for Denver. The
second week after his arrival,
while walking down CurtisStreet,
thick with the afternoon theater
crowds, Parker came face to face
with Hall.
What you doing around the
metropolis ? Parker ventured.
The company fred me, the
agent confessed. There wasn't
any evidence against me, OF
course, he added definsntly, but
they did it on general principles.
/ came straight here, looking for
work.
Parker looked the man over
carefully and then thrust a hand
into his pocket.
Did your Eastern friend show
up-after that last excitementH
he asked suddenly. grimly.
The agent flushed guilty and,
clenching his fists, Kissed an.
grily,
What the-do you mean?
Parker smiled quizzicslly and
held up a restraining hand.
Mean ? Don't try blufdug,
Hall. i know your lay.
The other stood for g moment,
struggling between fear and
shame. Only for an instant did
he stare defintly into Psrker's
eyes, then his own fell and be
grasped at railing for support.
I guess you got me dead TO
rights, he whispered huskily. !
was just weak, he pleaded. just
weak, and ! fell to the teRpta-
ton. For Gods SAFE, old man,
don't put the thumbscrews on.
I've been through q hell Of 8
dance. Roberts got the stuff
and Skipped. l didn't even get
my share. but I'm glad OF it
God how glad | am for I've
got q promise Of Job nov.
Il isn't much, but I'm going
straight.
The mine owner laid a kindly
hand on his shoulder. He could
feel the qniEer Of fear that ran
through the others body.
It's all right, Hall, he said. l
sized you up as pretty easy meat
at hrst sight. I'll keep mum.
You re no poker player. though.
You should've worn smoked
glasses. Your eyes gave yon
away. You and your Eastern
friend got both Of those bags Il
knew it. But the company gave
it all back. Take this twenty for
a stake till you land your JOB.
But-but, I don't understand,
and Hall stopped, choting back 0
sob that welled in his throat.
Parker SMILED.
s Your friend had q good bit OF
trouble getting that envelope, ehf
| I'd like to've seen his face when
he cut it open. Do you know,
Hall. a bundle Of brown paper,
Ecut properly, feels q good bit like
Egteenback Z Hsper went on ahead
TO Denver, you know. Pretty
clever boy, Hsper.
/: He turned to go, stretching
out bis hand toward sthe silent.
F.White-faced agent, For : full
ten seconds Hall stared at him, q
look in his eyes like that of .
hunted beast that has suddenly
foand sanctuary; then Q smile
lighted up his face, aud he felt q
warm clasp on his own nerveless
hand. For a moment he fingered,
then turned and aed, clutching
fiDhkIv kxuo vallovv Mills.