The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-11-20
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
As Judge Gilbert was about to en-
Ger his front door, having accom-
named Mr.. Kendall as far as the gate,
he saw a carriage stop in front OF the
house. The man who got out and
came up the walk he recognized IN
Etantly. None the less he did not walk
like the David Kerr Of yesterday; ne
seemed in every motion as he came
Into the light cast by the porch lamp
ito 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 MS
house. too, the lawyer went down the
lorch steps to meet his visitor.
Good evening, Mr.. Kerr" was Gill
bert's greeting This Is an uneApec''
ed pleasure"
Evening, Amos. Can l see you
alonef 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 oyercoat, that he had on evening
clothes. 1t was more an intultlve feel-
Ing than observation which made Gil
bert understand how uncomfortable
the boss found his unaccustomed raj
ment
A., fnvc1,qh tho hall
and into the library, his own thoughts
did not weigh so heavily upon him as
to prevent hin, from satisfying his
curiosity b. gazing about him. 1t
was the first time in his life that ne
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 big
leather chair and into it Kerr dropped
without word His hands restee
iistlessly on the arms Of his chair, the
bosom of his shirt was rumpled ant
bulged out Of his waistcoat, nj
breath came heavy and fast, and h
sazed DULY at the fire in the CRATE
Gilbert had never seen him in sucl
q condition before Until now he hat
always been the man of iron, accept
tng his many triumphs and his few
minor defeats in the same imperturt
able manner.
II tried to get you by telephone
several times today" Gilbert began.
81 know 1t, but wasn't in the moo
in uhiN
he spoke betrayed that fact.
II promised Kendall I'd call you u
IN regard to the new franchise he
anxious for you to support"
"Thatll keep"
II told him that personally coul
not be interested"
This drew no answer from the bos
Gilbert made no further attempt {
making conversation and for a tim
khe two men sat In silence. Whe
Kerr launched his first question
seemed apropos of nothing.
How long you been in Belmon
Amos?"
Gilbert's brain went through S
ries of rapid thought transitions
an effort to divine whittier the que
kion led. He was accustomed to Kerr
anterrogatory methods, but everythin
was SO out of the ordinary this eve
ing that he tried his best TO fatho
the boss's purpose, before, in his usu
indirect fashion, he disclosed the o
iect Of his visit. The question VIZ
one easily answered, albeit with son
surprise.
Why, little more than TWEEN
years"
Kerr continued to gaze into the fiji
seemingly oblivious to his surroun
!ngs Gilbert could not have swo
chat the boss had heard him rep
Theu came another question, st
see,niugly apropos of nothing.
Remember your first off1ce-aft
you quit keeping it in the top Of yo
aAt?"
Eyes. very we'll. paid you t
dollars week for desk room in
corner Of your real estate office
that same old Office you still have
Fifth street"
That's what charged you-bu1
don't guess you've got receipt
every week Was it you or Bill Stol
In them days used to use my big at
for a ironin' board?"
Both of us, believe"
Kerr moved restlessly in his cha
then went on.
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