The Washington herald., 1911-06-18


". "but the chances are it's lie Now you
keep quiet unless you want me to put you
TO sleep for good"
Nincento rose and approached Abner, and
Whitton drew his revolver and levsled IT at
the ruffian, but ne lowered it again as he
saw that Vincento was only going to search
the captive.
This Vincento did with great expedition and
without encountering any resistance. Poor
Abner sat in his chair, limp as rag, while
the Spaniard spread the contents of his pock-
cts on the table, and only emitted faint
grcan when his leather wallet was thrown on
the reap.
tons and samples of corn contemptuously, and
thea opened the wallet.
There was nothing in it but eighteen dol
lars in notes and card covered with figures,
that looked like a sum in multiplication.
"Ill have to take out my pay, | reckon,
observed Vincento as he showed fifteen dol
lars into his pocket and pushed the remain
der Of the plunder back to Abner. you we're
right about the papers, and l ask your par
don"
But" ventured Abner, meekly, "you amt
left me enough money to git home on
Then you'd better borrow some," advised
the spaniard, with rude laugh. Now
mate, to business. What's your gamer
now, no shufhing."
Abner gave one more despairing glance
:. "There amt much to tell" he said, wear
ily;;. and Pm e'enmost deared you won't
believe what I'm goin' to tell"
Never you mind You go on and tell it"
At this point Tim breathed so hard that
Burt had to give him warning punch In
the ribs.
Whitton seized the opportunity to survey
the deck. Everything was quiet. The mem,
bers OF the crew were forward in knot and
showed no interest in what was going on.
Il brought up that boy, Tim" began Alb
ner, "and I've taken middGn' good care Of
him. although / can't say as / spilled him"
81 should say not!" muttered Burt:
He's. been an expense to me, Mr.; Vim
cento, fust and last, of hundreds Of dollars.
You never raised any boys, did ye?"
II never did. Go on"
"Then you don't know what an expense
they be. Well, l raised that boy up until
he growed to be as big as you seen him, and
then what does he do but run away-run away,
full! And that wasn't the worst Of it. That
very night there come a letter. and Oh, it
makes me sick when think of it!
Come, none of that" exclaimed Vincento,
iTritably, as Abner became agitated. Out with
that secret"
"The letter said that there was gentle
man in the city who was lookin' for Tim
Baker, and had heard that he was with me.
1t said that l was to write to this gentle
man and tell all about Tim--what kind Of a
boy he was; and If he was a fair sort of chap,
the gentleman would do the fair thing by him,
because he knowed his father and mother" "
Whose father and mother"
Tins. Then the gentleman said as how
he was willin' to pay me well for Tins keep,
and I've figured up that five hundred dollars
would be about the correct figure for that"
ooh, you rascal" muttered Burt, while Tim
looked thunderstruck. ..
Now, jist think OF that!" went on Alb
ner gradually getting excited. "He run away,
jist az l was goin' to git paid for his heep!
Mr.. Vincento, was half crazy, and that very
day put into town after him. / was bound
to git him back home, and did all could
to persuade him. But he wouldn't listen to
me, and so / was obliged to ask you to help
me. / must have him, because 1 can't git
my money unless / do"
'Is that all?" asked Vincento, with con-
I temptuous snort.
"Alll" CALCULATED Abner, in surprise. "Law
4 sakes! amt that enough? Amt it enough
to make man desperate to git cheated out OF
five hundred dollarsp
Vincento eyed him goomily when he had
finished, and then asked, sharply:
This gentleman-where does he live"
u don't know"
Come, now!"
Indeed, l don't! The letter was only
signed with nishuls-'T. A. r. or something
like. that, and was to write to some box
in the postofice."
Where is the letter"
4 "To home. Indeed it isl" declared Alb
y ner, in alarm, as Vincento arose from his
{ chair. "'You may search me ag'in if you
don't believe me"
: "Al right" said Vincento, with frown
s "Your yarn is straight enough, but it makes
: me mad to think i bothered my head about
e it. Five hundred dollars won't pay me fol
the risk Pve run already. I've got to gel
o more out of it, and l viii. You must helI
y me, do your hear"
"Yes," answered Abner, meekly.
), "By hook or crook, you must get YOU
; hands on that boy; but when you get him
e he mustn't be given up to that gentleman
r "What am I goin' to do with him." ask
n ed Abner, helplessly.
8 "I'll take care of him." replied the Span
q inrh with a significant wink land &c ihaI