The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-01-24
Doorstep.

TIL look out for Brad" said Dick.
You'll hear from me tomorrow"
He turned into the passage with a
wave of the hand They saw him pass
up through the shaft of light from the
window and disappear in the shadows.
Then they hurried away from the
foul place, almost running to the cab
at the corner.
David did not sleep that night. He
tossed on his bed. beset by the direst
anxiety and dread, his eyes wide open
and staring. He doZed off at 6, but
was wide awake before I, when he
arose. 1t was not likely hat he
would hear from Dick Cronk before
the middle of the forenoon. While he
was obliged to stand idle and i'm
potent, the very foundation of all the
future happiness of the girl he loved
might be irreparably shattered. 81
lent, deadly, purposeful forces were
working toward that end.
He crossed into Madison square
taking a e "a where he could watch
the entrance to his hotel. He was in
the midst of direful questions when
some one tapped him lightly on the
shoulder.
Dick" he exclaimed. leaping to his
feet.
Sit down." commanded the pick
pocket warily. A thick. white bandage
was wrapped around his forehead, par
TALLY hidden by the SLOUGH hat he
wore, The man seemed faint and TN.
steady on his feet
Il say, Dick" cried David, what has
happened You are hurt. Who"
With a rigid grin Dick put his hand
to his head.
"Braddock.' he said succinctly. "He
cracked me good and hard. that's what
he did. | told you he wouldn't be
held down long. He's in no mood TO
be kind TO them that are trying to be
kind to him. He near business.
Brad does. This morning about 6 he
got up. | was watchin' him, He said
he was going over to see his wife.
He said he wanted to see her before
Christine was awake or out OF bed,
When he started for the door | took
hold of him. He-well, he showed me
off. When ! jumped In front of the
door he picked up a chair and let me
have it over the head. l didn't know
anything for a long time. When /
came to he was gone"
n has Braddock gone7" cried
David. You said he started for Mrs.
B~raddock's? Great heavens, Dick, he
may have shot
Easy. easy. He amt likely to do
anything like that until after he's got
Bob Grand"
That he will shoot Bob Grand his
morning, mark my words. He
II won't shoot anybody. He hasn't
any gun. He says he don't need one.
If he gets Grand it won't be with a
weapon of any kind, That's what he
says, and he means it. If Bob Grand
dies from a bullet o can bet your
life it won't come from Tom Braddock.
But all this a wait. | stopped off at
Joey's. He sent Ruby down to Mr..
Portman's at once, and he's gone over
to keep watch around the hotel where
Grand stops. The thing for you to do
IS to make tracks for Portman's. I'm
going to-
But David did not wait to hear what
Dick intended to do. He was rushing
off to hail a hanson.
Dick followed him to the curb. IF
you see Brad tell him there's no hard
feelings, Davy. 1t a a dirty smash
but | deserve it for not ducking."
The hanson sped down Fifth avenue
with its nervous passenger. Dick
shook his head YEARLY. Then he
smiled. From his coat pocket he ex-
tracted a shining revolver. Three min
utes before 1t had been in David .Jeni.
sons pocket. Hes better off without
a thing like this" unused the clever
philosopher.
Thomas Braddock rank the doorbell
at the Portman home shortly after 3
O'Clock. He was perfectly calm and in
full possession OF himself.
Il want to see Mrs. B%raddock," said
the man in the vestibule.
Call again" said the servant CURLY
Just a minute. please" said Brad
dock. There was something In his
tone however, that caused the foot.
man to hesitate.
Mrs. Bradock Is occupied" he an
nounced.
You mean she isn't up vet. I'll
wait" remarked Braddock, still very
quietly. The mar stared hard at him
.,ddoply cfrt,Ck nv the pallor -.
face. His eyes swept the grim figure
in the ill fitting suit OF jeans.
"Whta do you want? Can't you
leave a message?"
WANT / want to see her" The
footman glanced back over his shoul.
der - II searching for some n 0n