New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-05
By GEORGE ROTHWELL BROWN

EONSE ~ II w ILL DIM w ~
satisfaction when the spring flew back, and another
one when he had rolled up the top. Then he dived
into the pigeonholes, pulled out several bundles Of
letters and began shuffling through them rapidly
a poker PLAYER deals cards Scowlng, granting licking
his fingers blowing open the envelopes he was neverhe
less not too busy TO keep the door Some Of
the letters he glanced at hurriedly and put back
few he read with some care Still Sowing he ransacked
the desk, going through the papers, umpng them up
in his eagerneSs.
Suddenly he stopped listened, pulled down the Id
Of the desk pusyooted his way to the acovc and COM
posed himself in the depths Of the leather chair by the
window Just as the knob Of the door ratified and Bob
Marston, whisting jaunty street tune, strobe in.
The girl behind the screen her brain in whirl, could
not decide whether to disclose herself and denounce the
invader OF Bob's desk wait until he had taken his
departure In a panic lest her name be drawn into a
scandal and get into the papers, she hesated and 50
did nothing. Marston, boyish-ooking, lght-halrcd,
blue-eyed young fellow tall, square shoudered, and
long limbed threw his Panama and stick upon the table
looked up, and saw the man in the chair.
SLIPPERY JIM" he cried. He crossed to the win
dow quickly and threw up the shade and the sash
as far as they would Co. what the deuce you doing
down here, Sladc3" he asked.
Business" answered the in the chair "Nou
long enough getting here He dragged halt a
pound Of gold watch from his pocket and snapped up
the i'd Eleven o'clock; You amt overworked here
in Washington.
~The House meets at twelve explained Marston.
am little later than usual, though; for had some
errands which took to two Of the departments
this morning. How'd you get in Iim' This room
should have been
at was locked all right" interrupted Sade, jinging
the keys in his hand.
skeleton kcys!" Marston threw quick glance
toward his desk. and in there too suppose!
We'll what's the use Of denying it.? admitted Slip
perry Jim anguidly taking off his hat and placing it on
the floor by the chair Il didn't get what | wanted,
though You and I've always understood each other,
haven't we? Well, thought maybe I'd get something
on you-see2 But didn't. You're too slick to keep
ANYTHING around. Nothing but tailors' and taxicab
bills and letters asking for jobs and free seed. Don't
YOU ever have no real business letters?'
"Over there yawned Marson, lin that other desk.
You could have anything you wanted TO without
committing burglary. Ny secretary attends to those
things He'll be in presently and I'll turn you over to
him for any information you may want about my per
sona or public affairs.
He will, will he?' Snorted Slippery Jim. "Well,
what We got To say 10 YOU private. don't want no
Interruptions I'll just push that table up against the
door-thatll hold it," He pulled TO his feet and wad
died across the ROOM Hello You've throwcd the key
on the table. This is better" He went to the door,
locked it. tried the knob, and put the key into his
pocket "Now we can talk man to man, SAID he,
coming back and rcsuming his seat by the window do
YOU know, Kid. I'm wising up about you fast-bcen
learning ever since struck town day before yesterday
Day before Yesterday
Sure I've been on your tracks in quiet way, and,
believe me- | WAS knocked over the ropes You GER
tainlv have been showing some Spced-Speed and
class All the swell clubs, and receptions and dinners
up IT the White House too with the Main Guy I'll
make book you're too fussy to spend sociable
evening over the suls in the Palace Saloon back