The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-05-18
CHAPTER xxi.

I~1HE purple had left Congress
man Atkins face. but tn
III spcechmaking habit Is not like
ly TO be broken.
cyrus Whitaker" he stammered
have you been drlnking7 Your Ian
guage 10 me IN abOminable. Why
permit myself to remain here and lis
ten 10 such
III you'll keep still III tell you why
And II ] was you | wouldn't be toe
anxious 10 find out This everlastln
cold don't make me over and above
good tempered. and when | think OF
what you've done 10 that little girl. OF
what you tried to do. have to hold
4 myself down tlght-tight-and don't
you forget Il. Now you keep. quiet
and listen. tn be best for you. He
man. Your cards amt under the table
any longer. I've seen your hand. and
know why you've been playin' IT,
know the whole game i've been
west and Everdean and have had a
talk"
Mr. Atkins had again risen from the
chair. Now he fell heavily back into
IL. His lips moved as II he meant to
speak. but he did not At the mention
OF the Eyerdcan name he made
queer choking sound In his throat
II know the whole business. He
man" went on the captain. II know
why you was so knocked over when
you learned who Bos'n was the night
of the party. | know why you took
up with that blnckguard Thomas aud
why you've spent your good money
the mine. know the whole thing
from FIRST to last Shall | tell you?
DO you want TO hear lt?'
The great man did not answer. A
drop Of persplrntion shone on his high
forehead. and the veins OF his big
white hands stood out as he clutched
the arms OF his chair The monument
was tottering on its base.
ITS a dirty mess. the whole OF It,"
continued Captain Cy "And yet can
see-I suppose | can see--some excuse
for you at the bcginnin. When old
you and John Thayer out way back
there I'm "a. after John died and all
the money was put into your hands
cal'late you was honest then. |
wouldn't wonder II you meant TO hand
over the $4,000 to your partners wild
ow. But twas harder and more risky
10 send money east in them days than
tits now. and 20 you waited, thinkin'
maybe that you'd fetch II to Emily
when you come yourself. But you
didn't come home for some years; you
went tradln' down along the Feejees
and around that way. That's how !
II out these last few days on
the train. | give you credit for bein'
honest first along.
"But never mind whether you was
or not.-you haven't been since. You
never paid over cent OF that poor
fellers money-honest money. that be-
onged TO his heirs and belongs TO 'em
now You've hung on TO II. stole Il.
ised II for yours. And Emily worked
and scratched for livln' and died
poor And Mary. she died after beln'
abused and deserted by that cussed
husband OF hers. And you thought
Tou was safe. cal'late. And then |
3os'n turns up right in your own town, !
light acrost the road from you. BY |
he big dlpper, It's enough to make |
eller believe that the Almighty does
AXE hand In straightenin' out such /
hings when us humans bungle EN-
I is so.
Course | amt sure, Heman, what
lou meant to do when you found that
he child you'd stole that money from
vas goln' TO be under your face and
yes till you or she died. caflate you
vas afraid I'd ind somethin' out.
rant your presume likely you
bought that /. not havin' quite the
everence for you that the rest OF the
,ayporters have, might be sharp
nough or lucky enough to smell a rat.
erhaps you suspcioned that l knew
he Eyerdeans. Anyhow you wanted
, get the child as fur out OF your
Ight and out OF my hands as you
ould. Amt that so? And when her
ad turned up you thought you saw
our chance Heman. you answer me
his: Amt It part OF your bargain with
homas that when he gets his little
irl he shall take her and clear out.
way or somewheres, for good? Amt
now-whaty'
The monument was swaying. was
from side to side. but II did
OF quite fall--uot then. The congress
lan's cheeks hung habby, his fore
cad was wet. and he shook from head
, foot But he clinched his jaws and
lade one last attempt at defiance.
Ill don't know what you mean" I
Q declared. "You--you seem to be ac- I
using nae of something-of stealing. /
elieve. Do you understand who l
m? have some influence and repu-
alton, and 1t is dangerous toto try to I
tighten me. Proofs are required in
wv. and
"S-s-h-h! You know I've got the
roofs. They were easy enough to get ,
nee l happened on the track of 'em. 1
ord sakes, Heman, amt a fool,
What's the use Of your pretendin' to ,