The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-06-08
Copyright. 1910. BY American Press
Association
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CONTINUED from last week. }

valentine went on to recount 10 heu
how Bill Avery, after he had said
goodby to his pals in Albany. had
gone to the middle west and eventual
ly married sedate widow Of middle
age, whose son was an expert photog-
rapher. one who operated large stu
do in st Louis and employed men
who specialized In covering important
events for the newspapers and maya.
zines.
"Avery~ calculated Red. Avery
working-absolutely on the square?'
Yes, that's the truth. the awful
truth" laughed Valentine whimsically.
But you say BilI-Bill Avery Is
married?" asked Red. completely over
come at the suggestion.
Yes, it's all true, and BIZ has
/ proved true friend TO me-to u.s."
answered Valentine.
,"And he's really happy?" went on
Red doubtingly. Him us always had
stable of FLIES spendin' his coin.
He's happy with one wife?"
The assistant cashier gave vent to
burst of gayety at the establishment
of the Waterman. who probably would
have understood the process of refor-
nation in any one but Bill Avery.
But few minutes elapsed after Val
entine answered the telephone call be-
fore the door opened. and in came
man whose iron gray hair curled be-
meath the rim of his high silk hat.
Glaringly bright yellow kid gloves
adorned his hands. His frock coat, of
the latest make, was bit worn on
the edges, and It was for that reason
that the secondhand dealer had made
reduction in price to Mr.. Cronin.
The newcomer laid n handsome gold
leaded Indian bamboo walking stick
across chair, took off his gloves and
faced Valentine and Red.
mir Randall?" he said.
YES. Mr.. Cronin."
"Cronin be bowed" cried Red, start.
ing forward. Its Bill Avery. How.
about you. old pal?"
Avery. pleased. at the enthusiastic
welcome and at the sight of both of
his old friends. shook hands with
each. Then he drew back and looked
from one TO the other. Think of US
three bein' left alone together like this
in real bank" he said significantly,
and his two hearers could not restrain
laughter ut the thought of what the
circumstances would have meant to
them in days now put behind them.
did you get the picture?' asked
Avery of Valentine. You told me 10
send 1t, but wanted to see you. That
double negative is wonder"
1 Valentine looked Understandings at
him. lie rose from his chair, picked
up the telegram from his desk and
extended it to Avery.
Yes; it's all right" he said. "And
It came just in time. Today is the
day I'll need it." pointing to the tele-
gram. Read thatr
Avery read the message. The pal.
lor of unnerving fear came upon him.
His head dropped forward and he
glanced apprehensively about him.
His hand tremblcd as he laid the pa
per on the desk. He sank hopelessly
into n chair Doyle" the old man
ehoked-"Doyle! He said he'd slough
me. and now he'll do it-or else he'll
make me pay blackmaiI. You never
can tell how much copper wants for
keepin' quiet"
"oh. don't get blue" encouraged
Valentine. "He doesn't want you fel.
lows. It's me that he is after" He
examined large photograph which
Avery had sent him. 1t showed the
tables and guests at large banquet
in luxuriously appointed restaurant.
Eyes. think this saves me-" he re.
marked. He held 1t before Red, ask
ing. whats this?'
"Flashlight of banquet"
"Who is this on the right of the
toastmaster?" pointing at face in
the picture.
"You."
"Pipe the date" went on the assist
mt cashier. FEB. 0. 1905. Do you
remember where was on that date?"
He gazed curiously at Red. Avery
watched the proceeding with rare in.
terest.
The Waterman became thoughtful.
AT last puzzled wrinkle marked his
forehead. Observation-Disclosures
Sing Observation-Disclosures"
ne replied cOnfusedly.
Valentine and Avery laughed in their
RuDerior knnulndCo
mo, no." protested Valentino. ".his
photograph proves 1 was at ban.
quet in st. Paul. I'll beat Doyle and
I'll make him like It."
you can't" was Avery's pesslmis.
tic comment.
"You said we couldn't go square.
any of us, and we all have" was Val.
entine's rejoindcr. And If we can
beat the thing inside of US that calls
we can beat one man that hunts"
A clerS knocked at the door ana Ell.
tered to ascertain If he should now
bring in n trayfu Of cash which Val.
entine was to count. He was ordered
to do so at once. and Ayery's face be.
came Study no Yha ,,u,,,, ,,,n,, .,,,