Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-03-18
ANGEL
BY @ WALLACE

and three-quarters in solid cash, an
a bit over two millions-all in"
He paused to notice the effect Of his
words.
Jimmy's calm annoyed him: Mas
sey's indifference was outrageous.
AN it's Jimmy's share, an Connor's
snare, an it's Miss Kathleen Kent's
share"
This time the effect was better. into
Jimmy's inexpensive face crept a
CLEAN Of interest.
"Kent?" he asked quickly. Wasn't
that the name of h man-?"
Old Reale chuckled.
1.-THE very Teller, Jimmy-the man
who came in to lose a tenner. an lost
ten thousand; who came in next night
to get 1t back, and left his lot. That's
the ~feller!"
He rubbed his lear hands, as at the
memory of some pleasant happening.
open that cupboard, Jimmy" He
pointed to an old fashioned walnut cab
met that stood near the door. Dye see
anything thing that looks like a
windmill?"
Jimmy drew out a cardboard struc-
ture that was apparently a toy work
ing model. He handled it carefully, and
deposited Ii on the table by the old
mans side. Old Reale touched 1t ca
ressingly. With his little finger he set
a fly wheel spinning, and tiny little
pasteboard rods ran to and fro, and
little God wheels spun easily.
That's what l did with his money,
invented a o machine that went by
itself-perpetual motion. You can grin,
Massey, blu that's what / did with il.
Five years work an a quarter Of a
million, that's what that little model
means. / never found the secret out. I
could always make a machine that
would go for hours with a little nush,
but il always wanted the push. I've
been a chap that went in for inven-
tons and puzzles. Dye remember the
table at Suez?
He shot q shy glance at the men.
Massey was growing impatient as
the "reminiscences proceeded. He had
come that night with an object; he had
taken a big risk, and had not lost sight
of the fact. Now he broke in
Damn your puzzles. Reale, What
about me; never mind about Jimmy.
What's all this rotten talk about two
for each of us, and this girl?
When you broke up the place In Egypt
you said we should stand in when the
time came. Well, the times comet"
Nearly, nearly said Reale. with
his death's-head grin. It's nearly
come. You needn't nave trouble to see
me. My lawyers got your addresses.
Pm nearly through" he went on cheef-
fully; dead I'll be in six months, as
sure as-as death. Then you fellers
will get the money"-he spoke slowly
to give effect TO his words-"you
Jimmy, or Massey or Common or the
young lady. You say you don't like
puzzles, Massey? Well, it's a bad look
out for you Jimmy's the clever un,
an most likely he'll get it; Connor's
artful, n he might get it from
best chance, because ONE are good
at puzzles"
What in hell" roared Massey,
s%pringing to his feet.
sit down." 1t was Jimmy that
spoke, and Massey obeyed.
There's a puzzle about two mil
lions" Reale went on, and his croaky
voice, with it's harsh cockney accent,
grew in his enjoyment of Massey's per-
plexity and Jimmy's knit brows. AN
the one that finds the puzzle out gets
the money"
Had ne been less engrossed in his
own amusement he would have seen a
change in Massey's brute face that
WOulu nave warned MIN.
It's In my WILL" he went on. I'm
goin' to set the sharps against the
flats; the touts of the gamblin' hell
that's you two fellers-against the pig
o Two of the biggest pigeons is
an ones dying. Well. he's got a
daughter; let's see what she car do.
When I'm dead"
That's now!" beloved Massey, and
leant over and struck the old man.
Jimmy, on his feet, saw the gush
of blood and the knife in Massey's
hand, and reached for his pocket.
Massey's pistol covered him, and the
mans face was a dreadful thing to look
upon.
Hands up! It's Gods truth I'll kill
you If you don't!"
Jimmy's hands went UP.
Hes got the money here" breathed
Massey, somewhere in this house"
you're mad" said the other con-
temptuousIy. why did got hit him %
He sat there maxim a fool of me-"
The murderer gave a vicious glance at
the inert figure or the floor. Il want
more than his puzzle-talk.
He asked for it,"
He hacked to the table where the
decanter stood, and drank a tumbler
half filed with raw spirit.
Were both In this, Jimmy" he said,
still keeping his nan covered. You
can put down your hands; no monkey
tricks. Give me your pistol"
Jimmy slipped the weapon from his
pocket, and handed it butt foremost to
the man. Then Massey bent over the
fallen man and searched his pockets.
Here are the keys. You stay here"
said Massey, n went out, closing the
door after him.
Jimmy heard the CRATE Of the key,
and knew he was a prisoner. He bent
over the old man. He lay m~otionless.
Jimmy tried the pulse, n felt a faint
fiutter. Through the clenched teeth he
forced a little whiskey, and after a
the old nan eyes opened.
JIMMY" ne whispered; then re-
Where's Massey" he
There was no need to inquire the
of Massey. HIS blunder-
ing footballs sounded in the room
"Lookin' for money!" gasped the old
man. and something like g smile