Las Vegas optic., 1913-07-21
CHAPTER III.

.er his front door, having accom-
panied Mr.. Kendall as far as the gate.
he saw a carriage stop in front of the
aouse. The man who got out and
came up the walk he recognized In
stantly. None the less he did not walk
like the David Kerr of yesterday; he
seemed in every motion as he came
into the light cast by the porch lamp
to be the David Kerr of ten years
hence Realizing that only something
unusual could bring the master Of
Locust Lawn out at night, and to his
house, too, the lawyer went down the
porch steps to meet his visitor.
Good evening, Mr.. Kerr" was Gill
bert's greeting. 'This is an unexpect
ed pleasure"
Evening, Amos Can I see you
alone? l don't want to be interrupted"
I'VE can go into the library. No
one will disturb us there.
To this Kerr made no reply. He
toiled heavily up the steps and into
the house. Gilbert's surprise increased
on finding, when his visitor removed
his overcoat, that he had on evening
clothes. It was more an intuitive feel
ing than observation which made Gil
bert understand how uncomfortable
the boss found his unaccustomed raj
ment.
AS Kerr walked through the hall
and into the library, his own thoughts
did not weigh so heavily upon him as
to prevent him from satisfying his
curiosity by gazing about him. 1t
was the first time in his life that he
had ever set foot in Gilbert's house.
The invitation had been extended
many times, but Kerr knew his social
limitations and had always refused.
The judge pushed forward a big
leather chair and into it Kerr dropped
without a word, His hands rested
listlessly on the arms of his chair, the
bosom of his shirt was rumpled and
bulged out of his waistcoat, his
breath came heavy and fast, and he
gazed duly at the fire in the CRATE.
Gilbert had never seen him in such
q condition before Until now he had
always been the man of iron, accept
Ing his many triumphs and his few
minor defeats in the same imperturb- |
able manner
Il tried to get you by telephone
several times today" Gilbert began.
Il know it, but wasn't in the mood |
for nothin'," The very tone in which
he spoke betrayed that fact
II promised Kendall I'd call you up |
in, regard to the new franchise he's
anxious for you to support"
"That'll keep"
Il told him that personally could
not be interested"
This drew no answer from the boss.
Gilbert made no further attempt at
making conversation and for a time
the two men sat in silence When
Kerr launched his first question it
seemed apropos of nothing.
"How long you been in Belmont,
,Amos?"
Gilbert's brain went through Sc
ries of rapid thought transitions in
an effort to divine whittier the ques-
ton led He was accustomed to Kerr's |
interrogatory methods, but everything
was so out Of the ordinary this even
ing that he tried his best to fathom
the boss's purpose, before, in his usual
indirect fashion, he disclosed the OBJ
iect of his visit. The question was
one easily answered, albeit with some
surprise.
Why, little more than twenty
years"
Kerr continued to gaze into the fire,
seemingly oblivious to his surround
ings Gilbert could not have sworn
that the boss had heard him reply. |
Then came another question, still |
seemingly apropos Of nothing.
Remember your first office-after |
you quit keeping it in the top Of your
hat?"
Yes, very we'll | paid you two
dollars week for desk room in
corner Of your real estate ofice-in
that same old Office you still have on
Fifth street."
Anae What charged you-but |
don't guess you've got a receipt for
every week Was it you or Bill stoner
in them days used to use my big atlas
for ironin' board?.
"Both Of US, believe"
Kerr moved restlessly in his chair.
then went on
'Many's the time I've opened that
book to show man the plat Of an
addition and out would drop your
other handkerchief. l guess the mirror
in your room wasn't big enough to
hold handkerchief on your wash
day" He looked about the library.
absorbing its quiet elegance. Things
mighty different now, amt theyge
"Then / was struggling to get