The sun., 1913-11-02
by Alma Woodward

Throwing his long coat over his arm,
he disappeared through the wide door
| way.
Two minutes later Perry, a tail loose
jointed Yankee. chief engineer Of Kent S
real estate firm. knocked at the door and
| was told to enter. Much to his delight.
he was greeted warmly. even effusively.
Before he had recovered his accustomed
! poise he found himself in a low, cush- =
| ioncd chair. His employer stood before
| him. box of choice cigars in one hand
| and flaming match in the other.
Dazzled by the luxury Of it all. Perry
selected n rare perfecto and lighted 1t.
! He knew that he would wake up soon.
but in the meantime what was the use
, Of letting anything good slide by?
Kent waited until he saw a cloud Of
fragrant smoke curl from between the
chief engineers lips.
Before you tell me what you want to
see me about I want to ask you a few
questions" he began. First, do any OF
the men we have working in our several
gangs live near the Hemlock Terrace
property"
Some" replied Perry between puffs.
There are two shacks on the Landon
road near the creek--eight Of 'em live
| there
"Ah." The word slipped triumphantly
from his employer. Now I'm going to
let you into a little something. just to
see Of what sort of clay you're made, "
Perry stopped putting. 1t sounded as
II his dignity were about to he put up
as a target for satirical shafts.
, hot 40 ha
Kent patted him fraternaly on the
shoulder and went back to his chair.
81 wouldn't tell you this. Perry" he
confided in a gentle. hesitating manner.
III I hadn't the utmost faith in your
loyalty and ability to keep things to
yourself"
The introduction sounded well.
| Clearly there wasn't going to he the
| least thing damaging to dignity in the
disclosure.
"IIave you ever been in love-" asked
Kent rather sheepshly.
sure" Here was common ground.
Il was in love with four sisters and
they all died"
The sepuchral information rather
| fioorcd the president. He Coughed. be-
| cause he didn't know exactly what else
to do.
I Yes. I've had fierce luck in love. "
continued the putting Don Juan. Just
as soon as ! Cottoned to one of 'em she'd
up and die There were two left and the
dominic told the mother that if she
wanted to keep them she'd better tic
the can to me. so she did"
Kent was slightly discouraged. He
had expected somewhat finer appre-
citation Of the soft emotion; but he
realized that it was now or never.
That's too bad-scemcd sort of
fate, didn't it?" he sympathized.
You bet But what's the matter
YOU in love-" Perry accused rather
than questioned.
Kent nodded.
I'm in love with very beautiful.
sweet girl" he explained; but she's got
an idea that I'm too practical too full
Of business She wants mush and ro-
nance. That comes Of reading wild
tales medieval yarns-you know"
"Sure." agreed Perry coolly. dead
Eye Dick Rough House Rufus and
that truck"
"Ye-es." gasped Kent: that stun.
She thinks we all ought to go around
fighting duels and cutting up our fell
low men. just to win lady's favor.
| sSHt ioNtIN EHl you uuueiS Dut
she has notions"
There were sympathy and under
standing in the chief engineers eye.
His experience with the four dear de-
parted ones had acquainted him with
the fact that battle murder and sud-
den death go hand in hand with love.
Now just a minute ago." the presi-
dent went on. waxing enthusiastic, IAN
idea came to me whereby. with your
aid. can produce the desired effect. I
am helpless. though, without your aid.
my dear Perry"
| Theshumble confession. strengthened
by repetition, made Perry's heart swell.
He mentally tested the strength OF his
right arm and prepared to offer up his
life. II necessary. on the altar Of his
employers love.
Suppose" Kent began eagerly. sup
pose that tomorrow night about $3.50,
an automobile containing two ladies'
and a man should roll along the Lam
don road near the creek. At $3.50. these
moonless nights. it's as dark as the Plu-
tonian regions along there. isn't it?"
Darker 'n-yes. it's fierce dark"
amended Perry.
We'll what could be easier than a
little holdup-fake, Of course? Then