Evening star., 1914-04-05

gathered them into golden sheaf, and eX-
| tended his hand.
Here's the first instalment Bob, five thou
sand in cash. l see by the morning papers
that you're going Ito get married. Here's
the price of one first-class honeymoon.
MARSTONS right leg, dangling over his
iVA left knee, suddenly came to vigor-
Gus life, and Marston's right toe landed
with a crack on Jim SHADES knuckles, which
that man slapped into his mouth so quickly
that they completely blocked an oath that
had started out. A golden shower sprinkled
round them as the bills fluttered to the floor.
@Damn you for that, Bob Marstonl' he
said, and pushed himself to his feet, his fat
body shaking with rage
"Pick up your dirty money and get out
of my office quck.' Marston's voice was
pitched in the usual conversational tone.
"AIe! You order me out, the man that
put you here? All right, I'm going, and I'll
put another man here in your place. You
forget who | am, the man that has kept you
from starving many time, that has given
you everything you ever had. Who set you
up selling papers when you wasn't nothing
but a homeless gutter rat9 done it. Who
fed you and kept a shirt on your back9 l
done that too. Who gave you the coin to
buy your books and pay your way through
|
that But I'm done now. like you, Bob
l raised you from a kid, from the night Jim
Marston died on my barroom floor and left
you and your mother without a roof over
your heads, and when she-when she-1
kept her from going to Potter's Field, did,
and after that l always had one eye on
you, and nobody ever did you dirt but what
he had to square it with me. Well, you can
have your way now; but business is bust
ness in my business, and l want my kind of
man down here, to take my orders, and do
what l say. You don't fill the bill, and
you'll have to step aside"
"Jim," interrupted Marston very soberly,
Il am not going to quarrel with you; for
every word you have said about your chari-
| ties to me, your goodness and kindness, in
your own way, is true. But am not a dog
| am not going to step aside for you or any
other man. I've served my time, the bond
| is paid, and l am indentured no more, but a
| free agent. If you refuse me a denomination
next fall, I'll break with the organization,
| if can't take it away from you, and run
as an independent, and so help me God I'll
beat any candidate you put up against me!
Now pick up that stuff and put it back
into your pocketbook."
| Slade gathered the money into a wad,
counted it. slipped the wallet back into his
pocket, and picked up his hat from the floor.
wed been thinking of putting you up for
Governor next time, Bob," he said.
4Thanks. You have the key to the door,
/ believe. Please unlock it
Slade jamned his hat over his ears and
started across the room. At the table he
halted, banged the mahogany with his fist,
and, @You understand he snarled. am
done forever!' He started for the door just
as Miss Middleton stepped from behind the
screen and confronted him.
REFORE he goes, Bob" said she, looking
= over Slippery Jim's shoulder into Mars
tons face, which was expressionless, SO in
tense was his astonishment, "before he goes
| think we should have one more word with
him. Then she looked at Slade, who stood
gazing at her absolutely speechless. "Now
let me tell you something, Sir. If l hear
another word about this matter, I'll send
you to prison, or I'm not Jud Middletons
daughter! You want to walk mighty fine
chalkline from now on, or l will prosecute
you'll
prosecute me?" Slippery Jim finally
controlled his vocal organs. "Aw, stop your
kidding! Say" he wheeled on Marston,
what is this, a plant?'
4Did l know you were coming?" asked
Bob with some heat. He turned and looked
at Miss Middleton inquiringly
Il Just called to see vou Bob, explained