Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-02-16

ttt' WOTlu OUU SltDDpd
from beneath his feet He was over
whemed And 1t was with a child's
look of pitful dismay and perpexity
that he faced the sheriff.
The father who has fallen short Of
his childs trust and confidence knows
that look. To Duncan its appeal was
Irresistible. He had his hand In his
pocket. clutching the still considera Bile
remains of what Kellogg had termed
his grubstake. before he knew it.
"But-there must be some mistake"
Graham repeated pleadingly. 1T can't
be. Mr. Lock wood surely wouldn't
/ Now, there amt no use whlnin'
about it, willing roared him into 81
lence. Law Is law, and He Gems
ed quickly. surprised to find Duncan
standing between him and his prey.
what he began
Wait" Duncan touched him gen
| thy on the chest with fore1pger, at
the same time catching and holding
the sheriff's eye Are you" he in
quired quietly. Tailoring under the
! impression that Mr.. Graham is deaf?'
/ What!
| Duncan turned to Sam apologetical-
| ly. HE said what Did you hear It,
sir?"
But by this time Pete was recover
ing to some degree. "Whatve you
got to say about this?" he demanded
crescendo.
"Ill show you" Duncan told him In
the same quiet voice, what I've got
to say if you'll just put the soft pedal
on and tell ne the amount OF that
note"
with interest and costs" he said
less stridcntly. ut f1gyers MP three
hundred n eighty dollars n eighty
two cents"
There's no use denying that Duncan
was staggered. For the moment his
polse deserted him utterly. He could
only repeat. ne one who dreams.
Three hundred and eighty dollars"
His momentary CONSERVATION afford
ed Pete the opening he needed. The
room shook with his regained sense Of
prestige.
Eyes, three hundred n eighty dol,
lars m Say. you lock a-here!"
! Again the calm forefnger touc he'd
him and like hypnotist's pass
checked the rolling volume of noise.
Listen" begged Duncan III you've
got anything else to tell me please re-
tire to the opposite side Of the street
and whisper 1t. Meantime be quiet"
Duncan turned and made for the
soda counter, beneath which was the
till. His scanty roll Of bills was in his
right hand and there concealed. He
stepped behind the counter (old Sam
watching him with an amazement nc
less absolute than Pete's). pulled out
the till, bent over 1t with an assured
air and pushed back the coin slide
Then quite naturally he produced with
his right hand his four hundred and
odd dollars from the bill dra wer, stood
up and counted them with great deib
Grafton
One. two, three, four"
He smiled winningly at Pete. -Four
hundred donars. Mr. Sheriff Now will
You be good enough to hand over that
note and the change and then put
yourself and that pickle you're wear
ing in your face on the other side OF
the door,"
II amt got the note with me. Mr.
Duncan"
Then perhaps Won won't mind going
to the bank for it?"
Half suffocated. Pete assented. Jaw
right, I'll go and git it. Kin ! have the
money!"
Certainly" Duncan extended the
bills. then on second thought withheld
them. 81 presume you're regular
sheriff." he inquired
Very proudly Pete turned back tn,
lapel of his coat and distended tn,
chest on which sbone his nickel PLATED
badge Of Office Duncan examined i
with grave admiration.
ITS beautiful" he said. with a
sigh. Here"
Gingerly Pete grasped the bills
thumbed them over to make sure they
were real and bolted as for his life
his coattails level on the breeze. Their,
hoated back to Duncan and old San
his valedictory, "Waal. I'll be dod
gasted"
With a short. quiet laugh Duncan
made as though to 60 out to the bacl
yard. where the new stock was bein,
delivered.
I'm going" he said hurriedly, IT
find Inc q Ratchet and knock the stuff
Ing out Of some Of those packing
cases Want to get all that truck In
doors before nightfall you know"
But old Sam wasn't to be put of b.
any such obvious subterfuge as that
He put himself in front Of Duncan
Nat, my boy" he said. tremulons
IT can't let this 60 through. can
allow you
"There. now" Duncan told him un
concernedly, yet kindly. don't sa,
anything more. It's over and don
with"
But you mustn't III turn over til
store to you IT,
80 Lord" Duncan's dismay was n
genuine as his desire to escape Ora
hams gratitude. "No--don't. Pleas
don't do that!'
but l must do something, my boy
l can't accept so great kindness I'LL
less" said Graham, with a timid nas
Of hope, you'll consider partner
ship
That's It" cried Duncan, glad O
any way out Of the situation. That
the way to do it-a partnership. Nc