The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-03-07

of a private nature ! must ask you to
| invite me TO your room"
Linton did not remove his overcoat
| when they were -closeted together. He
stood with hat in his hand.
1t may surprise you To learn thaf
1 my business concerns Miss PressUu
and the legislative ball tomorrow even.
/ ing" began Linton. but Harlan indig.
nanily broke in
You can have no possible busiu"..
with me, sir. in which Miss I'ressohS
name may be mentioned. Don't you
use her name-not in any way. DO
you understand"
Miss Presson has accepted your es-
cort To the ball tomorrow evening.
Don't you know. Thornton. why you
can't take Madeleine Fresson into pub
lie, this whole state looking on:
hate to say any more than that.
don't think its necessary for me to saw
any more than that His face>was
hard. his tone accusing
Il tell you. you have no right to men.
ton Miss Hresson to me- cried tie
other
I'm taking ii on myself, and I'm
giving you Il chance by doing it," To-
torted Linton. The story Is bad
enough now. But you'll be drummcd
out of this state if you insult an inuo-
cent girl IN the way you plan to do
In his indignation Thornton had been
slow to grasp the fact that his rival
was making hints that both afironIed
and threatened. His conscience accns-
ed him of nothing. He felt the crackle
of paper in his breast pocket lie
promptly suspected that Linton mad
CLEANED a hint of the proposed legisla-
ton which would involve Medicines
father
He tried to control his anger.
,"Will you kindly explain to me by
just what right you say this he
sneered-"except. possibly. that you're
jealous because Miss Presson chose me
as her escort:'
Il have right as friend of her
mother if nothing else. l am keeping
this thing as still as | can for your
sake, for in this case protecting You
means protecting her. l don't want to
say any more. But sudden illness
must prevent you from accompanyin.
Miss Presson into public at that ball"
Harlan beat palm upon his own
breast.
I've had enough OF this, Linton.
You tell me what you're driving at"
Let me say this in my own de
fense," pleaded Linton. "Spinney was
going right to Mr.. and Mrs. Presson
with the story. got it from him al
most by accident. We We're talking
over our railroad bill this evening.
and he mentioned your stand. Then
he out with the story that he picked
up when he was in Fort Canibas
do not listen to gossip. Mr.. Thornton.
but it is plain that Spinney has facts.
] have inquired in Il prudent way OF
other men from your section. He has
the story, but what they say confirms
it."
Harlan listened, his blank amaze.
ment deriving him of speech.
1--WE said enough now. haven't II"
asked Linton significantly.
mo, you haven't" shouted the 9TH
er, coming out of his lethargy Of as
tonishment. The recollection Of Spin
y
what do you mean!"
81 mean that man who will fool
and throw over girl in a way that
drives her away from home and
friends is no fit escort
Ee got no further. He knew thor
oughly maddened and dangerous man
when he saw one. He stepped back
when Harlan dashed at him, and
Thornton halted Of his own accord
After time he calmed himself enough
to speak
I'll not begin with you, Linton. I'll
begin with the man who started that
damnabe lie. Oh, that-that'- He
failed his arms about his head, unable
to express himself you've been lied
to. You don't know any better than
to say that. If you hadn't been jeal-
GUS you'd never have brought the stO-
ry to me. I'll make allowances" he
raved on. "But the man who started
that story will swallow it with teeth
and blood mixed"
Linton was impressed. but not rout-
ed. He waited till Harlan was quieter.
81 hope you'll get 1t Strengthened
out, lie sdlu COiulS bul Will II stu-
ry like that extant Of course you'll see
the wisdom Of the course I've sug-
gested. You cannot afford to drag
Miss Presson's name into your affair"
Into my affair! You dirty pup do
you dare to intimate-are you lunatIc
enough to take stock in any such sto-
ry about me-"
The eDithptS sent tho color into 7 In
toms face. But he restrained himself.
"Your own grandfather had to take
you in hand about the matter before
you left Fort Canibas, Thornton.
heard him say that much myself. He
gave no details. l don't care for any.
1 merely came to you to bring a hint
as to what you ought to do"
Look here. Linton, I've usually got
pretty good control of myself. I'm try.
| ing to hold myself in nOw-tryiDr AS