The Delta independent., 1910-08-12

0cIBLAuQ IoC 0A CSliOhp.
"Oh. no." Orme laughed. Il have
no, interest in South American gold
mines.'
Then accept this fresh bill." i'm
plored ee1or Poritol. "and give me
back the one yearn for"
Orme hesitated. "A moment more"
he said. Tell me. how did you lose
possession of the marked bill?"
The South American writhed in his
G., air and leaned forward eagerly
THAT is the most distressing part OF
ALL" he exclaimed. II had left Chi
cago at a time when my presence in
this great city was very important in
deed. Nothing but the call from dy-
Ing friend would have induced me to
go away. My whole future in this
country depended upon my returning
In time to complete certain business.
so, after dear Lopez was dead. l
rushed to the local railroad station.
A train was coming in. searched my
pocket for my money to buy my tick
ct All could find was the five-dollar
bill!
1T was necessary to return to Chi
cago; yet l could not lose the bill. A
happy thought struck me. l wrote
upon the face of 1t the words you have
seen, and paid 1t to the ticket agent.
I called his attention to the writing
and implored him to save the bill If
he could until l returned, and II not.
to be sure to remember the person he
gave II to-
Orme laughed.
'1t does seem funny" said Senior
Poritol, rolling another cigarette. but
you cannot imagine my most frantic
desperation. returned to Chicago and
transacted my business. Then l
hastened back to the Wisconsin city.
" oe is me. The ticket agent had paid
the bill to a Chicago citizen. I Sc
cured the name of this man and finally
found him at his Office on La Sale
street Alas, he, too. had spent the
bill. but / tracked 1t from person to
person. until now, my dear sir. have
found it? So" he paused and looked
eloquently at Orme.
DO you know man named
Evans?" Orme asked
Senior Poritol looked at him in be-
wilderment.
IS. R Evans" insisted Orme.
why. no. dear sir-I think not
But what has that TO do"
Orme pushed a skeet of paper across
the table. "oblige me. Senior Poritol
the table "Oblige me, Senor Poritoi.
r. Evans"
Senior Poritol was apparently re-
luctant However. under the compul-
sion OF Orme's eye. he finally took out
his fountain pen and wrote the name
in flowing script. He then pushed the
paper back toward Orme, with an in
quiring look
NO. that isn't what l mean." ex-
claimed Orme. Print it Print 1t in
capital letters"
Senior Por,tol slowly printed out
80 .2.a-.
Orme took the paper. laying it be-
fore him He then produced the
coveted bill from his pocketbook.
Senior Poritol uttered a little cry of
deligh; and stretched forth an eager
hand. but Orme. who was busily com
pairing the letters on the paper with
the letters on the bill. waved him
back.
After few moments Orme looked
up. SENIOR fOTltoi, ne Sdlu, WHY
didn't you write the secret on a time
table. or on your ticket. before you
gave the bill to the agent?"
Senior Poritol was fiustered. Why"
he said uncertainty. Il did not think
of that. How can we explain the mis-
takes we make in moments of great
nervousness?"
True" said Orme. But one more
point You did not yourself write
your friends secret on the bill. The
letters which you have just printed
are differently made"
Senior Poritol saia nothing. He
was breathing hard.
"On the other hand" continued
orme, turning the bill over and cycling
the inscription on its face. your mis-
take in first writing the name instead
of printing It shows me that you did
write the words on the face of the
bill" He returned the bill to his
pocketbook. Il can't give you the
BILL" he said. Your story doesn't
hold together"
With queer little scream the
South American bounded from his
chair and flung himself at Orme He
struck no blow. but clawed desperate
ly at Orme's pocket. The struggle
lasted only for a moment. Orme.
seizing the little man by the collar,
dragged him. wriggling, to the door,
Now get out said Orme IF l
nnd you hanging around I'll have you
locked up"
Senior Poritol whispered: 1T is my
secret. Why should l tell you the
'~'''h about It? You have no right TO
know
Orme retained his hold. II don't
like your looks. my friend" he said.