The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-15

look of pftifui dismay and perplexity that he faced the sheriff.
 The father who has fallen short of his childs trust and confidence knows that look To Duncan it's appeal was irresistible. He had his hand in his pocket. ciutching the still considerable remains of what Kellogg had termed his grubstake. before he knew it.
 "But-there must be some mistake. :" Graham repeated pleadingfy. 1t can't be. ME. Lockwood surely wouldn't.
 "Now. there ain't no use whinin' about itr' Wiling roared him into si lence "Law is law. and"- He ceas- ed quickly. surprised to find Duncan standing between him and his prey. ''What'- he began. -s''-~'--,'"~- '-@--- 5. <-
 "Waifg' Duncan touched him gen. tly on the chest with a forefnger. at the same time catching and holding the sherin's eye. Are you" he in- qutred quietly, Tailoring under the impression that MT. Graham is. deafT" ~Whatw N Duncan turned to Sam apologedcal- ly. "He said what Did you hear it. sir?'a
 But by this time Pete was recover ing to some degree. "What're you got to say about thisT he demanded cresceHilo. "PIf show you." Duncan told him in the same quiet voice. ~what Eve got to say if you'll just put the soft pedal on and tell me the amount of that note." n s.ys;-. n, "Wfth interest and costs" he said less stridently. it 6ggers up three hundred 'n' eighty dollars n eighty ! two cents" ;s, s.s. 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 eonsternation afford ed Pete the opening be needed. The room shook with his regained sense o1 | prestige ~Yes. three hundred n eighty dol lars 'n'- Say. you look a-herem Again the calm forefnger touched him and like a hypnetist's pas. checked the rolling volume of noise "Listen," begged Duncan. If you've l got anything else to tell me please re tire. to the opposite side of the stree and whisper it. Meantime be quiet"
 Duncan turned and made for tn, soda counter. beneath which was tht till, His scanty roll of bills was in hi. right hand and there concealed. H, stepped behind the counter told San watching him with an amazement n, less absolute than Pete's). pulled ou the till, bent over it with an assured air and pushed back the coin slide Then quite naturally he produced witt his right hand his four hundred an, odd dollars from the bill drawer, stood up and counted them with great delib eration-
 "One, two. three, four.''
 He smiled winningly at Pete. "Foul hundred dollars. MT Sheriff. Now vii you be good enough to hand over tha note and the change and then pu yourself and that pickle you're wear ing in your face on the other side o the dnor7"
 T ain't got the note with me, MT Duncan"
 'Then perhaps you won't mind goin, to the bank for it"
 Half suffocated. Pete assented. "Aw right. I'll go and git it. Kin I have tn, moneyY'
 -Certainly." Duncan extended tn, bills. then on second thought withheld them. T presume you're a regula sheriff?" he inquired.
 1 Very proudly Pete turned back tn lapel of his coat and distended tn chest on which shone his nickel plate, badge of office. Duncan examined i with grave admiration
 "It's beautiful" he said, with { sigh. Here"
 | Gingerly Pete grasped the bills thumbed them over to make sure the, were real and bolted as for his life his coattails level on the breeze Ther f1oated back to Duncan and old Sau his valedictory. "Waal. I'n be dod gastedw
 With short. quiet laugh Duncan made as though to 60 out to the bac