The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-02-27
CHAPTER ~.

CHAPTER ~.
A Judge Gilbert was about to en-
ter his front door. having accom-
panied MI. Kendall rs far rs the gate,
he raw Q carriage stop IN front Of the
house. The man who got out and
came up the walk he recognized in
stAntly. None the less he did not walk
like the David Kerr Of yesterday: he
seemed in every motion - he came
into the light cast by the porch lamp
to be the David Kerr Of ten years
hence. Realizing that only something
unusual could bring the master OF
Locust Lawn out ct night. and TO his
house, too. the lawyer went down the
porch steps to meet his visitor.
Good evening. Mr.. Kerr" was Gil.
bert's greeting. This IL an unexpect'
ed pleasure"
Evening, Amos. Can see you
alone? I don't want to be interrupted"
We can 60 into the library. No
one will disturb US there"
To this Kerr made no reply. He
tofled heavily up the steps and into
the house. Gilbert's surprise increased
on finding. when his visitor removed
his overcoat, that he had on evening
clothes. 1t was more an intuitive feel
Ing than observation which made Gil
bert understand how uncomfortable
the boss found his unaccustomed raj
ment.
AZ Kerr walked through the hall
and into the library. his own thoughts
did not weigh 30 heavily upon him az
to prevent him from satisfying his
curiosity BY gazing about him. II
was the drst time In his life that he
had ever set foot In Gilbert's house
The invitation had been extended
many times. but Kerr knew his social
limitations and had always refused.
The Judge pushed forward a big
leather chair and into 1t Kerr dropped
without . word. His hands rested
listlessly on the arms Of hts chair. the
bosom OF his shirt was rumpled and
bulged out OF his waistcoat. his
breath came heavy and fast, and he
gaxed DULY at the fire in the CRATE
Gilbert had never seer him in such
. condition before. Until now he had
always been the man OF iron, accept.
Ing his many triumphs and his few
minor defeats in the same imperturb
able manner.
4 tried to get you by telephone
several times today" Gilbert began.
Il know II, but l wasn't in the MOOD
tor nothin'." The very tone In which
he spoke betrayed that fact.
Il promised Kendall I'd call you u
In regard to the new franchise he'i
anxious for you to support"
"That1l keep"
4 told him that personally coult
not be Interested"
This drew no answer from the boss
Gilbert made no further attempt q
making conversation and for q tim<
the two men sat In silence. WheI
KsrT launched his first question Il
sosmed apropos Of nothing.
How long you been In Belmont
Amos!"
0flbert's brain went through . Sc
Hes Of rapid thought transitions II
- effort to divine whittier the ques
tiDn led. He Vas accustomed to Kerr'i
iAtsrrosatory methods. but everything
vas - out Of the ordinary this even
ing that no tried his best to fathou
the boss purpose. before. In his usual
Indirect fashion. he disclosed the OBJ
joct Of his yisit. The question Wal
90 easily answered. albeit with some
surprise.
why. : little mor than twenty
yoan"
K1rr continued 70 eass into the Are
ooemfngly oblivious to his surround
49, Gilbert could aot have sworz
~ 60 bess haA heard him reply
T10 eaDe another question. still
ee01n11y aDFopos q nothing.
1emonbsr pour nrst omcs-aftes
- quit kseDdns # n the top Of youI
~
1sa. veGy ven I paid you tw<
1palnSs . week FOR desk room In 1
eoeDaR Of yo1r real estate omcs-h
tAa1 sans Oh once you stu have =
mn street.
that's What ! charged you-but
1cnt guess you've sot . receipt fol
OvoEy week Va \ yoa O. Bill Stones
= tAe0 1ays ussa % Ne NJ bio alta
~ : irua1n' boara3"
.DotA q -. belSsvA"
EocB noved re1tlo1sly d his chair