Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-01-02

n Ill explain before 1-before the
yes, before" he ended, turning his
back with a smothered growl.
Lucky l was at the station" Abb
bott exclaimed, "since you've some
thing to tell me. Bob. What is it?"
In thus addressing his old friend as
Bob" the young man was officially
declaring that their relationship as
teacher and school-director was for
ever at an end, and they stood as man
to man.
Clinton spoke rapidly, with his
wonted bruskness: Guess you know
I've been knocking about the country
for the last three or four weeks-saw
a good many old friends-a fellow can't
go anywhere without meeting some
body he knows-curious, isn't it? Well,
I've just got an opening for you. You
know how sorry | am because we had
to plump another teacher on to your
job, but don't you worry If Fran did
hold your hand-just you keep your
hands In your pockets after this, when
there's danger-Sayi I've got some
thing lots better for you than Little
burg. School out In Oklahoma-rich
private man behind it-he owns the
whole plant, and he's determined to
rich man-chum of mine-went West,
bought land, sat on 1t, got up with his
jeans full of money. Wants you to
come at once"
Abbott was elated. What kind of
new ideas, Bob?" he asked joyously.
"Of that impractical nonsense of
teaching life instead of books. You
know what / mean, but l don't think |
do. Don't worry about 1t now-some-
thing terrible's on my mind-just aw-
full l can't think of anything else.
What you want to do is to scoot out
to Tahlelah, Oklahoma, to this ad.
dress-here's his card-tell 'em Bob
sent you" He looked at Abbott fe-
yerishly, as if almost hoping Abbott
would bolt for Tahlelah then and
there. His broad red face was set
determinedly.
"This news is splendid" Abbott
declared enthusiastically. II had al
ready applied for a country school:
| was afraid l had lost out a whole
year, on account of-everything.
must thank"
abbott, l don't want to be thanked
l haven't got time to be thanked
Yonder's Hamilton Gregory's house
and that's where I'm bound-good
night"
But, Bob, I haven't told you my
business"
"I1l hear it later, old fellow-deal
old fellow think a heap of you, old
Abb. But l must go now"
mo, you mustn't. Before you &C
into that house, we must have a little
talk. We can't talk here-people are
coming and going"
81 don't want to talk here, bless you
I want to go in that house. My bust
ness is private and pressing" The
gate was but a few yards away; he
looked at 1t fixed1y, but Abbott helt
his hand upon the agitated arm.
Bob, what l have to tell you cam
wait, and that's all about 1t. l won
keep you long, just urn down this al
ley with me, for it's a matter Of lifs
and DEATH"
"Confound your life and death! M
business is life and death, too"
At that moment, a light was turned
on in Gregory's library, and Grace
Noir was seen to pass the window.
Abbott's hand frightened on the 9th
er's arm, as he urged, Down that al
ley. a nice dark place for talking"
"sNice dark be hanged" growlet
Robert. What business can you have
with me that wouldn't wait till morn
ing? Look here, I'm desperate!"
$50 am T." retorted Abbott. Bob
you've been to Springfield"
Robert Clinton snatched open the