The Washington herald., 1911-06-11


find you here?"
Didn't your" exclaimed Burt, in affected
surprise. "Why, Mr.. Darringer, you didn't
surely expect me to let Tim find his way here
other, and would have got lost, sure"
Perhaps you're right" sighed Abner, un-
easily. But dunno az you ought to stay
here. 1 might have something to say to Tim
You don't say! l thought you only want
ed to settle with him."
Settle with him"
"Yes-to pay him his wages"
Il don't owe him no wagesl" snapped Abb
There, there" interposed Tim, quietly.
There is nothing you can have to tell me
that Burt can't hear. dare say it's not
HerS ss %bns4 s :.n: SSEn dS%G
posite Tim with very Ill grace, you'll be
sorry for the way you're treating me, see
"ATl right" said Tim, placidly. "Now
then, you sent for me, what have you got to
tell me! If it's trying to persuade me to go
back on the farm; III tell you plumply 1
"No, L amt that" declared Abner, with
wish you would come home; but Il you won't
there's the end Of il. !" =
"Then what is ~
Abner hemmed and hawed, and was plain
" stumped. His plan had been to beguiie
finn with some fictitious yarn; but his inven-
tion was weak, and he had forgotten to re-
hearse his part
Burt sat at the end of the table and heart;
lily enjoyed the old rogue's discontinue, and
Perhaps You wanted to ten him some
What's that!" exclaimed Abner, his face
turning ghastly pale. Whose parents!
Whose been cen sayin' anything about that l
" INV father told me-" replied Burt, with
an innocent leok. WAS there anything
wrong in that? / thought, of course, you
would be fairly dying to tell Tim about them
Are they alive, Abner, and where do they
By this time Abner's face had changed to
scarlet with rage, and he was plainly about
to say something savage when diversion oc-
s..far;ne men entered. they were evidently
intoxicated, and were all talking. at once as
they seated themselves at one of the tables
in a far corner Of the room. The landlord
followed them, carrying a tray with glasses,
eigars and a pack ot cards
This incident gave Abner a chance to col
, lect his thoughts.
sI don't mind sayin'," he began, in q low
tone, that 1t is something about your par
%Xh," cried Tim excitedly. 'tMr. Oar
ringer, be honest with me, and 1 will pay
"Pay me-" repeated Abner, incredulousy
"I will. know where can get five hun.
dred dollars, and you shall have every cent
of It if you will tell me who my parents were
, and, il they are living, where I can fnd
them"
Abner was plainly astounded, and for q
. brief moment he hesitated, but his dishonesty
! Ti%," Z, be : ,.. aid whininsS. II would II ]
'osS sPsha%.h DSs ''e exclaimed Tim, imp4tienty
: "Then why did you send for mer -
brilliant idea, '1 don't adzactly know, bui
' If You will GO with me, we can find out"
!, "To-to-just down the street piece to
: friend of mine. ! think he knows all abou
4 it. II you're ready, wen 60 pretty soon"
every we'll" assented Tim, at the sam'
q time rejecting on the easiness with which h,
J. would have fallen into the trap if he had mo-
A known of its existence. OF course he ha6
9 no idea of walking into it now. "Thep you
are certain that Il, there is some one who know
:, "Certain!" replied Abner, eagerly.
"And can put me on the right track"
,, "Yes, Tim; no doubt about that"
"That's enough" said Tim, decisively. TheI
: he leaned across the table, md added "Ab
Abner's jaw fell at least two inches thi
time.
8 yes, you You know all about it, and I'm
on your track this very night, and you can
escape. There is only one chance to escape
a; tell me everything now"
d Abner was undeniably frightened. He look
E ed about him ia a helpless sort of way, an,
le tears stood in his eyes-tears of bafAed rag
r --as he realized that he had been deceive
instead OF deceiving.
s. What Abner might have said or done ther
is no telling, if the old shipmate had no
e, come into the room at that moment.
re He took in the situation at glance, an
saw that the plot was not working satisfac
ID torily. Thereupon heI conceived plan of hi
oA own. go ..,
"Hello!" he cried, with a great show G
W indignation; who's kicking up a bobber
70 here? + can't have any of that, 80 just yo
n r. L,r cha