The Press., 1910-08-03

zeke read the paper and signed his name with the pen which the drum mer held ready. Then he resumed his digging. A few moments later TiIls0n came hurrying back.
 'sThe drafted horse ate a full peck of good corn. he began wrathfully 'sNo supper 'lI be get this night. Now, what Is 1t bout that gate biznessl How's there money in it?''
 X By getting the invention patented, ? answered the drummer carelessly, Out Zeke and I have fixed that up. Well must be going"
 ssBut, look here!'' exclaimed Tillson 'Ye must talk with me bout that gate It's mine! zeAe ain't nothin' to- do with It."
 .Oh, don't want the gate.' said the drummer coolly. "It's only the idea, and that, believe, belongs to Zeke. GOodby.'
 Tillson stared at him as he walked away, the wrath deepening on his face. Suddenly he swung round to Zeke. What did ye get2" he demanded. Come, hand it 0ver."
 '.I didn't receive anything in money Z Zeke answered.
 "Stopy' roughly. Don't tell any yarns. Didn't hear the man say you an him fixed it up? Now, how much money did he give ye for my gate2 Look at me straight"
 Zeke did so, with half smile. Hes to pay for getting out patent. he replied, "and have half what we make. 7
 sAn' ye didn't get any moneyY
 "Not a cent"
 Tillson looked at him sharply, but there was no deceit in the straightfor- ward face. Even he realized the fact. ''Then ye're an idiotr' he snarled. ''The man was set on the idee; l could see that from the way he spoke. Ye could have got fifty or hundred dol lars jest as easy as nothin'. Mebbe we could have made trade for a lot of his tools. An nOw-huh!--ye'n II never hear from him ag'in.''
 Zeke did not answer, and presently Tillson went toward the barn grum bling. But his words did not disturb Zeke in the least He scarcely ex- pected to hear from the man again. In spite of what had been said, he could not bring himself to believe that the simple contrivance was of any value. Even when the regular pa pers" came, with imposing seals and blank places for him to sign his name, he regarded them more as interesting novelties than as anything that would affect his future.
 .RaR1 caused his eyes to open wide with amazed delight and which after a half hour of hard thinking carried him into the house after his Sunday clothes. It was nearly dark when he returned from the town. Old TilIson met him at the barn door, his face dark.
 'FWhat dye leave work for without my say so?" he demanded.
 Business" replied Zeke. "I heard you say tother day the mortgage had run by and that if you didn't raise the money soon they'd be selling you out. So I've been to a lawyer and had it fixed over in my name, to save you trouble. You can pay me whenever it suits. You see," in answer to the look on TiIlson's face, ''I got check for two thousand on the patent and am likely to get as much more every year. I think I'll buy Dickson's big farm that joins ours.'
 Tillson stood looking at the young man with mouth and eyes wide open. The expression on his face was a study. One would expect to see some shamefacedness there, but there was none. There was not even gratitude. For the moment there was surprise mingled with a feeling of suspicion that Zeke had assumed his debt that he might make something by it. One who always acts from mean motives suspects every one else of doing the same thing. His first words indicated that such was the condition of his mind.
 "What interest you goin' to charge mel"