Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-09-30
Zelda Cameron
E
Copyright. 1904. by Tho Bobb.M.uin Co.


ported to your that tweniy
thousand would buy that group OF lots;
you took that amount of money from
them, gave Mr.. Cameron eighteen
thousand and put the rest in your
pocket as commission. 1t sounds wei,
doesn't it?"
He isn't making any kick. is he? I
bet he isn't He was perfectly salts
fed. He needed money and was glad
to sell at any price. l did him Il great
service" And BalComD thrust mis-
thumbs into the armholes OF his waist
coast with the air OF a man who Is
ready and anxious to face the world IN
any charge.
Jack. you viii write me a check for
that commission, as 80 /
call it, deductnus the one thousand that
was paid for this option. or III make
Mariona too hot to hold you"
This is blackmaii and / won't sub
nit to it," shouted Balcomb.
Maybe so. and you can get redress
later If 1t Is. l want your check-
whether it's any good or not"
I'll give you half of it if the old
mans beehng." said Balcomb. after Il
minutes reflection.
Albright away-quiCk!"
Leighton rose and stood with his
hands thrust into his pockets while
Balcomb turned to his desk and wrote
the check.
The girl outside was heard debating
with the caller. who refused to be de-
MED. The door opened suddenly and
Leighton, with the check and option in
his hand, looked up to see Captain Pol
lock standing within the partition, his
little stick, as usual, under his arm.
leighton" he said, quite impertur-
r. -fI1, -.~ - lfr+ vi,
you. but I'm really glad you're here. In
fact, I thought for a Ome Of going
to your office to ask you to come with
me-to call on our gifted friend"
You get out Of here
My dear Mr.. Balcomb, you are a
contemplate scoundrel-'
Balcomb made a rush for him, but
the captain thrust his stick forward
and Balcomb seemed, rather ridicu-
lousy, to have impalcd himself upon it.
Stand back, Balcomb." commanded
Leighton, and as Balcomb tried again
to reach Pollock, Leighton stepped be-
tween them.
II quite agree with you. Pollock, that
Balcomb is a bad lot, but this isn't he
right place for a scrap"
Il don't care whether it is or not"
snapped Pollock. In going to muss
him up. He's lied about me; he's tried
to blacken my reputation"
you're a foo" shouted Balcomb.
"I've never mentioned you'll wouldn't
mention you"
You wouldn't, wouldn't you? l
should like to know what you meant by
writing a letter to the Wal Department
charging me with being drunk here in
| one Of the clubs-a club, you lying
b~lackguard, that you never were in in
your life-that you uld get inside
Of to save your neck. You charged me
with being drunk and raising a row in
| that club; and you limited that 1 vas in
| collision with contractors at work on
| the army post. You don't deny it, do
you"
Il do, indeed! never wrote any let
ter 10 the Ward Department on my
subject"
Pollock laughed and took a step to-
ward him.
Don't you deny what I tell you be-
fore Mr.. Leighton! I have the letter
here in my pocket. 1t was sent to me
direct by my chief, the very hour it
reached him.. l suppose you thought
they woul telegraph my discharge i'm
mediately when they got an anony-
nous letter like that. I've = good no
ton to break your neck right here"
He was a little fellow, but he seemed
suddenly to take on heroic proper
tons. He whipped open his tightly
buttoned coat and drew out an enyal-
ope.
Here's a letter-do you dare tell me
you didn't write tan unsigned type
written letter to the quartermaster-
general. I knew instantly where it had
come FROM"
Il never saw it before; it's a put-up
ioh - 1oc1a rod poJco~h tho,,~h not ~,
a tone that carried conviction.
MY chief sent it to me-" continued
Pollock, with his Endorsement, Better
find this fellow and punch his head.
And now I'm going to obey orders!"
Balcomb ducked under Leighton's
arm and bolted for the door, blu as his
hand GUN the knob Pollock seized
him by the collar and flung him back
against the ground-glass partition with
a force that shook it.
leighton" said Pollock in his bland
est tones, as he held Balcomb against
the partition at the end of his stick,
I've told you, and probably some uf
the adjoining tenants have heard me,
that Mr.. Balcomb is a liar. 1 wish to
add now that he Is a coward. Stand
up!" he commanded. letting his stick
fall. and Balco1nb, thus released. made
another rush for the door, only to be
seized by he little captain.
Leighton had tried up to this time to
keep a straight face. but Balcomb was
so clearly frightened to the point Of
panic that Morris sat down and laugh
ed. Pollock. however, was as grave as
an adjutant on parade, and he contin-
ued to address Leighton:
"He is a contemplate coward. and I
| van to warn him before a witness that
II he ever appears at any place where
I AMI don care where or when-Ili
rise and proclaim him. Now get out
before I break my stick or you!"
He turned away from Balcomb, who
seized the moment to dart into the an
teroom, where the two young women
stood huddled together, and began Civ
ing them orders with a great deal OF
unnecessary vehemence. Leighton ana
Pollock followed at once, passing
through the anteroom at a ~leisurely
pace set by Pollock. At the outer door
| the captain paused, lifted his hat with
a !, mockery of courtesy to Balcomb's
back, and remarked in a pleasant tone:
Good day, Mr.. Balcomb. If you
should ever need anything in my Hue
please give me the please give me the
pleasure of a call"
Suffers clerk!" screamed Balcomb.
Pollock made a feint of turning back
suddenly and Balcomb darted into his
private Office and slammed the door.