Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-04-28

IEE SHOW YOU, HOMER.
rasped match over its surface and
applied the flame to small gas brack-
ct Fixed to the wall. A strong rush OF
gas extin:liishcd the match, and lie
turned the flow half off before trying
again This time the vapor caught
and settled to steady brilliant fame
us white IS and much softer than
acrty!cne.
"r,l"rr" he said in triumph. What
dye think of that. Homer?"
why" said, Il didn't know you
had an acetylene plant"
NO more have |. Homer"
Tut what is that. then?" demand
ed.
IFS my invention" he returned
proudly i've been workin' on 1t two
ye$tiddy It's goin' to be great thing.
| tell you"
"But what is it, Sam?'
IFS gas from crude petroleum,
Homer See" he continued, indicat-
ing tank beneath the bench which
seemed to Ee connected with the
bracket by very simple system OF
piping. broken by smaller, cylindrical
tank. "Ye put the oil in there-just
crude as it comes out Of the wells,
Homer. 1t don't need refnin', and It
runs through this and down here to
this. where It's unprecedented the
same's they vaporiZe gasoline for au-
tymobile engines. We know-and thea
it just naturally flows up to the brack-
ct. and there We are
Its wonderful. Sam" said I, won
dering if it really were.
And the best part Of it Is the econ
omy, Homer. A gallon will run one
Jet six weeks, day in and out. And
simple to install. tell ye"-
Have you got ii patented YETI"
"Yes. stree, Took out patents just as
soon as it struck me how simple 1t I'D
be-more than two years ago. Only,
of course. it took time to work 1t out
Just right, specially when l had to
stop now and then cause I needed
money for materials. But it's all right
now. Homer: it's all right now"
And you say Roland Barnette's writ
ing 10 some one in New York about
liz"
Yes: he promised he would. I ex-
planned il 10 Roland, and he seemed
real interested Hes kind, very kind"
was inclined to doubt this and
would probably have said something
to that effect had not shadow cross
ing the window brought me to my feet
in CONSERVATION. But before | could
do more than rise Colonel Bohun had
flung open the door and stamped in.
He stopped short at sight of me, mis-
guided by his .nearsighted eyes, and
singled me out with a threatening
wave Of his heavy stick.
Well. sir" he snarled, I've come
| for my answer Have you sense
enough in your added pate to under
stand that, man? I've come for my
answer"
And may have it, whatever it may
be. for all of me-" | told him.
His face flushed a deeper red. "Oh,
it's only you, is it, Littlejohn? took
you for that fool Graham in this dirty
dark hole. Where Is hep
| looked to Graham, and he followed
! the direction of my gaze to the work
| beuch. where Sam stood with his back
| to it, his worn hands folded quietly
before him. He seemed little whittier
than usual, thought, and perhaps 1t
was only my fancy that made him ap-
peal to tremble ever so slightly. for he
was quite calm and self possessed-so
much so that | realized for the first
time there was another man in Rae
vile besides myself who did not fear
old Colonel Bohun.
I'm here. colonel" he said quietly.
What is it you wish|'
The colonel swung on him. shaking
with passion. But he held his tongue
lntl he had mastered himself some
what, a feat Of SELF restraint on his
part over which | marvel to this day.
"You know WELL Graham" he said
presently. You got my letter-the let
ter l wrote you IL week ago."
"Yes." said Sam. with start of COM
prehension. Yes, got it."
"Then why the devil, man, don't
you answer it?'
Sans apologize smile sweetened his
face. why" he said haltingly, Pm
sure l meant no offense; but, you see.
I'm very busy man. l forgot it."
1.-THE devil you forgot it! Dye ex-
pect me to believe that, man"
"Pm afraid you'll have to-"
Bohun was speeches. for moment,
stricken dumb by second seizure Of
fury. But again he Gained himself.
Very well; I'll swallow that inso-
lence for the present.
at wasn't meant as such. ASSURE
Don't interrupt me! D'you hear2