The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-11-05


was as the balm of Gilead to the soul
of Henry Closby: and Blackie. sitting
opposite him, and studying in friendly
admiration the whiskered face Of the
artist. made a sudden discovery.
you're about week late in your
trip to Chicago. aren't your" he ill.,
quired.
"How do you know?' sharply asked
Closby, turning upon him scared
countenance.
"By the streaks of rust in your chin.
clillas," laughed Blackie, tickled i'm
measurably with his discovery. IAN
some detective? ami" And he jump
ed up from the table.
"Where are you going?" demanded
Closby, jumping up also, his usually
rudy face now turning deep scarlet
ITO explain the fatal mysteryr' re.
piled Blackie. eth sting them worse
than anything"
mo. you don'ty' cried Closby, start.
ing after him. but Blackie had already
passed Wallingford at the door. and
was leaning out over the PLATFORM
while the conductor was swinging his
lantern.
"Antonio scerlattiy' he called in
clarion tones.
"Robber!'' yelled the committee as
Henry Closby laid hold Of Blackie's
coattails.
"I1isty shouted B]ackie. II know
Henry Closby's secret!'
Closby reached farther and grabbed
him by the shoulders.
Antonio Scerlattiy' shrieked Blackie
rs the train moved away.
'Yes?' encouraged the mayor, quiv-
ering with eagerness.
HE is an Italian" yelled Blackie.
and. laughing himself limp, allowed
Henry Closby to pull him inside.
whats the fuss?" asked Walling-
ford as he followed them back to the
table.
Closby grinned sheepishly. IS.
Holmes had me scared stiff" he con-
fessed. blushing. as he revealed the
dark secret of his life. "He made me
think that he was going to tell the
official gossips Of Spanglerville that
I've been going to Chicago every two
weeks for the last three years to have
Antonio Scerlatd dye my whiskers."
CHAPTER XVII.
That Little Deal.
"HE woman in the next room
screamed again. Rlackie Daw
WINGED in sympathy; Walling-
ford grinned; the gray mus
tached man in the corner sat in patient
misery. as he had from the first, and
held his swollen jaw.
II don't think it hurts SO much as it
did, Jim." decided Blackie, looking up
with a hopeful smile. stop me. l
think l want to 60 home"
Stay right where you are and have
it out" chuckled Wa]lingford. 'You
brought me along to keep you here. and
III do it if have to sit on you"
The dentist, who had tried to con-
ceal his necessarily cruel countenance
with a pink mustache, hurried out to
the water cooler with a glass upon
erybody grew solemn.
"Hello, Bessmer! How's Oak Cen
| ter?' the dentist greeted the stranger.
(Which of you is next" And brutal
speculation kindled his eye as he look
ed them over.
| Both the patients, anxious to put off
the moment Of agony, indicated each
other with surprisingly ready courtesy,
but Mr.. Bessmer had truth and the
right on his side.
"These gentlemen We're waiting when
l came" be insisted.
II am only my friends guardian
explained Wallingford with a happy
smile.
I'm it. guess" acknowledged
Blackie, cornered. "Give me another
drink. Jim; quick!'
"You may come with me now," the
dentist remarked softly.
Blackie arose and followed, with
much careless bravery.
"Is Oak Center a pretty fair business
town." asked Wallingford Of the
stranger.
For some lines" stated Bessmer
with distinct and quite visible inward
reservations. Its really farming
town and very rich, but it gives slight
support to manufacturing"
"You must be manufacturer
guessed Wallingf0rd.
II am in small way" acknowl
edged the other. still frowning. 81
have a malleable. iron foundry and
have obtained capacity business on {
process of my own"
capacity Is good enough"
1.-THE trouble is with the size OF thu
capacity" explained Bessmer, with
dry laugh. why, with $4,000 NOR
capital ] could increase, not alone m!
net earnings. but my percentage o
; profit on the total investment not les
than four times. AS it is, barely hol,
my credit"
"When shaky business can't boz
' row money it sells stock" observe