New-York tribune., 1914-10-25


hard to identity. His first words were un'
ovnccted and unconventional. .,
allow do YOU like my rigE ne asked
aCouldn't afford to overlook any whlte
cb;ns Thought maybe the swampers layin
orn,,nd in the outer office might have order.
f. kecp me out and bawl for the police II
corne iookin' the way did the other day
Of course that card amt mine. I'm Ton
Wharton - Hold on Wouldn't do that II
| were you
The last came cxpl)slvely; Tor Wardnelfi
had suddenly repeated his attempt oi tneii
first meeting and tried 10 press the button
But me now held a shivcring hand IN rnid.alr'
and with bulging eyes seemed fascinated by
the level muzzle Of a heavy revolver thai
onpeared to have come from nowhere and
lined itself directly with his head.
"Suppose," said his visitor, that you get
Nd. with your hands above your head, and
walk over TO the wall until lrisk you loT
concealed weapons, after which | may let
YOU sit down while we have a nice, unlnter-
ruptcd pOwwow.
Wardhcim's eyes betrayed his mental de-
bate whether ne dared refuse. 80,
"Gct up and 60 over there. Quick, or ! !,
not YOU like a tarantula, and laugh when
prove scf-dcfcnse over your carcass.
Each word was ike a physical kick, de-
cisivc and RELENTLESS. Wardhcim was III the
air and obcying by Jerks and leaps as each
one yollcvcd into his cars. He dare neither
move nor speak when the Wcstcrncr ran a
swift hand over his apparel, then chucklcd
softlv. backed around, and complacently
seated himself in the big mahogany char,
laid his pistol on the desk, and said suavely:
"Now you can come across and SIT down
where was. I'm runnin' this office for the
next few minutes
THE frontiersman sat with cynical grin
L on his smooth-shaved face for full
minute while his prisoner stared distractedly
round, first at the doorway, hoping that
some other visitor might come, next at the
window through which the evening shadows
were beginning TO lengthen, then despair
ingly back at his tormentor.
"No Use, you see" the latter said pleas
antlv. Besides, Wardheim, you won
want to be interrupted before I'm through
with you. Oh, no, You'll be just as anxious
as am that nobody hears what were gon'
to talk about. For Heavens sake. you
white-livered Paiute, quit shakin'! You rat
tie the hoorsl Amt you ever had gun
poked into your ribs before
He deliberately pulled a cigar from his
pocket and lighted it, eying the banker
through the smoke with speculative eyes,
as if studying some new and interesting man
Hesitation of nature. Then of a sudden his
face hardened, his thin lips curled, and his
eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward across
the desk. His voice had new and terrifying
quality Of accusation, threat, and contempt.
"When | came here the other day and
begged YOU TO let up on young Steele, 50 he
could have a chance to be what he ought 10
be, you ranted about justice and all that
bunk, shown how good YOU were. You,
Why, Lord Almighty, Man! you're the worst
thief | ever got next to. You talk about
duty, and honor, and righteousness. If I'd
have known then what know now, I'd have
been too weak to walk out without first aid
to the injured. because | reckon I'd have
laughed myself limber-knccd,'
He straightencd himself and took from
his pocket a bundle # papers. with a rubbc'
band round them, and tossed them over int
the bankers lap. "Just take a look Al
those" he said; so We can save time, and
50 you'll know I'm not buttin'."
The banker dared do nothing but obey,
and then, first in bewilderment, then ap-
prchcnsion, looked up. We'll, he asked,
iiobtinU . weakness If voice "What about