Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-11-10

fore which he was bending and snatch
ed the card.
Tell him I'm engaged. Tell him I
don't want to see him anyhow" yelled
Balcomb, in voice that was perfectly
audible to the waiting caller in the
anteroom.
Here" he said to Leighton, in the
same tone OF fury, here's your option.
Give me back the thousand l paid
Dameronl"
for that money you wrung from Mr..
Dameron--"
Il didn't wiring any money from him.
you yelping ape. l paid him money
You don't seem to understand this
transaction"
I understand 1t perfectly. You re-
ported to your company that twenty
thousand would buy that group Of lots;
you took that amount of money from
them, gave Mr.. Dameron eighteen
thousand and put the rest in your
pocket as commission. 1t sounds wel.
doesn't it?"
He isn't making any kick. is he?
bet he isn't. He was perfectly salts
fed. He needed money and was glad
to sell at any price. l did him great
service." And Balcomb 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 ON
any charge.
Jack, you will write me a check for
that money-your commission. as you
call it, deducting the one thousand that
was paid for this option, or I'll make
Mariona too hot to hold you"
This is blackmail and I won't sub
NIT to it," shouted Balcomb.
Maybe so, and you can get redress
later if it is. want your check
whether it's any good or not"
'Tn give you half of it If the old
mans beef1ng," said Balcomb, after a
minutes reflection.
fAll-right 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
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-
badly, I'm awfully sorry to disturb
you. but I'm really glad you're here. In
fact, thought for a moment 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
scoundrel-"
Balcomb made a rush for him, but
the captain thrust his stick forward
and Balcomb seemed, rather ridicu-
lously, to have impaled himself upon It,
Stand back. Balcomb." commanded
Leighton, and as Balcomb tried again
to reach Pollock, Leighton stepped be-
tween them.
Il quite agree with you, Pollock, that
is a bad lot, but this isn't the
right place for a scrap"
Il don't care whether 1t is or not"
snapped Pollock. I'm going to muss
him up He's lied about me; he's tried
to blacken my reputation"
You're fool" shouted Balcomb
"I've never mentioned you'll wouldn't
you"
You wouldn't, wouldn't you?
should like to know what you meant by
writing a letter to the War Department
charging me with being drunk here in
one of the clubs-a CLUB, you lying
that you never were in In
your life-that you couldn't get inside
Of to save your neck. You charged me
with being drunk and raising row In
that club; and you hinted that l was in
collusion with contractors at work on
the army post. You don't deny It, do
you?"
Il do, indeed! never wrote any let
ter to the Ward Department on any
subject"
Pollock laughed and took step to-
ward him.
Don't you deny what tell you be-
fore Mr.. Leighton! 1 have the letter
here in my pocket 1t was sent to ne
direct by my chief. the very hour il
reached him. l suppose you thought
hey would telegraph my discharge i'm
nediately when they got an anony- |
nous letter like that. I've a good no
ion to break your neck right here"
He was a little fellow, but he seemed
suddenly to take on heroic propor- |
ions. He whipped open his tightly |
3uttoned coat and drew out an envel-
,pe.
Here's a letter-do you dare tell me
you didn't write tan unsigned type
written letter to the quartermaster-
general knew instantly where 1t had |
.ome from"
'I never saw II before. ftss a nut-un /
OBJ" declared Balcomb, though not in
tone that carried conviction.
My chief sent 1t to me-" continued
Pollock, with his Endorsement, Better
ind this fellow and punch his head
md now I'm going to obey ordersl"
Balcomb ducked under Leighton's
.rm and bolted for the door. but as MS
iand found the knob Pollock seized
i'm by the collar and flung him back
.gainst the ground glass partition with
force that shook It
Leighton" said Pollock in his bland
st tones, as he held Balcomb against
he partition at the end OF his stick.
I've told you. and probably some Uf
he adjoining tenants have heard me.
hat Mr.. BalcOmb is a liar. I wish 10
id now that he Is q coward Stand
pi" he commanded. letting his stick
all. and Balcomb. thus released, made
mother rush FOR the door. only to be
elzed By the little, captain
Leighton had tried up 10 this time 10
eep a straight face, but Balcomb was
o clearly frightened 70 the point Of
anic that Morris sat down and laugh
q Pollock. however, vas aa grave a.