The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-03-12
: CHAPTER VI.


Broadway hurried to the angry and
disguised man and put his hand upon
his arm. He was rather badly funked
by this uncompromising attitude.
wait minute, Bob" he urged.
Don't go of like that. That was an
awful thing you just said to me. II
had a wild night. Give me a chance
to think"
"All right" said Wallace, not very
graciously. Go ahead-think! It's
about time you began to think"
He sank into a chair, his gloomy
face regarding Broadway with small
favor, his angry fingers tapping on q
table top.
{ Broadway was very nervous. Reali-
cation was becoming vivid Of the fact
that he had not been wholly admirable
In his general course.
Don't you suppose know it's .
shabby thing to do?" he urged. But.
great Scott! look at the fix I'm I'M"
Wallace made gesture Of negation.
It was clear that he refused to grant
that anything could excuse his friends
course with the widow.
You're not sore at me, Bob, are
your" Broadway pleaded.
i've said my say. You've heard my
opinion"
DO you think everyone will feel
that way about it?''
"Of course
Broadway was distressed beyond his
feeble power Of explanation. Pacing
up and down, he moaned:
IF it wasn't for those debts! II it
wasn't for the bills owe!"
you don't know the exact amount"
NO"
why haven't you added them up?"
II haven't had time. I've been-too
busy"
Doing what?"
Now, don't give me the third de-
gree, please! Look here! I'm SO nerv-
GUS that I'm trembling like leaf"
Where are those bills?"
In the little room, in my desk"
would you mind II looked them
over?"
mo; wish you would. You will
do that, Bob?" He was as eager as if
examination of them by his business
headed friend would mark each one
receipted. But, say, Bob, suppose I
take your advice and call this thing
OF. What am I going to say to Mrs.
Gerard?"
"You won't have to say anything.
I'll handle her."
well, what would you say to herr"
will you please leave that to me?
Go over there and sit down. Do some
more thinking: You've got many a
think coming to you, young fellow!
I'm going to see how much you owe
the world"
And Broadway did exactly as he or
dered, looking after him almost as a
child might after some one had as
sumed full charge Of tangled, juvenile
affairs.
Suddenly he realized that some out
standing bills would not be among the
mass which Wallace was examining.
He would try to get them in. He
wished to know the worst, now that
he was at 1t. He went over to the
telephone and called up certain ia
nous restaurant. After he had told
the manager to make out his bill for
the previous evening entertainment
and let him know the total, he sat
waiting, with the receiver glued tight
to one ear, and, when Rankin entered,
called him to him.
You'd better look around for an.
other job, Rankin"
The butler almost tainted. Hasn't
my service been satisfactory, sir?''
"'Oh, yes; everything has been all
right; but, you see, Rankin, I'm going
10 leave town. I-er-expect to do a
lot Of travelling"
He gazed at Rankin anxiously. He
hoped this would be easy. The worry
on his face and the cramped position
necessary to listening at the telephone
and watching the butler closely gave
him pitiful expression. He looked
% II In pain.
When Rankin said, respectfully.
that, IL Mr.. Jones was travelling he
should like to travel with him. Jack
son was annoyed.
'Td like to have you. Rankin" he
said weakly, "but, you see. expect
to locate in-er-in Japan, and I've
got to have some one who understands
the language"
That was poser. He congratulated
himself. That would settle Rankin
and get rid Of him with no hard feel
ings. He was really rather fond of
Rankin.
But no! Il speak Japanese very
well, sir" and the extraordinary but
Ter, with calm which vouched for his
veracity. II was in service with two
Japanese for over i've years, and II
you. think Of China, sir. or Russia"
fortunately for his masters din
Guilty maintained composure, two
thines happened 70 distract attention.
40 ri III msssaSs % the telephons.
"