The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-10-01
%F
! W allirgfford
!: ! In Ills Prime
By GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER
Copyright. 1918. by the Bobbs-
Merrill Co.

uUU Oh the ulOuey III Ills OWN uCullle
fingers!
lis this by way of restitution:' he
asked, assuming his severest Bible class
expression.
"No, cash." Wallingford gayly in
formed him, chuckling Large bills,
please"
Mr.. Morley, peering out at Steele, de-
veloped another virtuous idea.
81 suppose you know that this closes
your account, Mr.. Steele" he advised,
ITO the penny" agreed Mr.. Steele.
'Have you had value received for
this?''
"A!most.' asserted Mr.. Steele. "l've
had at least $4,000 worth of promises"
'Then l must warn you against this
man Wallingford." went on Mr.. Nor
ley, shaking with indignation. II can
not definitely state that he is robber
and a thief, but l am quite positive,
from my own experience, that his COM
nercial transactions are likely to be
highly improbable to any one but him
self"
That's what I'm banking on re-
piled MIR. Steele with an anxious laugh
TN take $1,000 in hundreds and the
balance in five hundreds" gently insn-
uated Mr.. Wallingford.
Mr. Morley hesitated. then mechan
ically he pushed the money under the
wicket, and Mr.. Wallingford thanked
him.
by George. it's like coming back
home to see yOu!" commented Wallng
ford heartily. Come over to the New
Auditorium tonight, Morley, and have
dinner with us. I'm going to cali a
meeting of the Bang Sun Engine COM
,any. and We'll have talk over old
times"
Mr.. Morley looked at Mr.. Walling
ford with return of his stupefaction
There actually stood the man. still in
the flesh. with $1,000 of a fellow citi-
zen's money, unearned. in his pocket.
his face beaming with cordial good will
and good cheer. Somewhere, down in
the depths of his ashen anatomy Mr..
Morley found an unexpected drop of
humor and he actually smiled.
'By golly. I'll comet" he said.
Mr.. Steele was lost in profound hero
worship as they rejoned Blackie in
The cab.
'"That's one of the tricks l couldn't
GET he confessed to B!ackie. II often
succeeded in making men smile, but
they wouldn't come to my parties
every little giggle has a meaning
Ill it's own" said Blackie softly.
At the New Auditorium. Steele tried
lesson No. l. "Why. hello. Candle" he
exclaimed rushing up to the dapper
slerk. He smiled broadly and pushed
tut his chest and. beaming and beam
ing upon MI. Candle. thrust forward
lis hand. It's like being boy again
o come back home"
"Have you been out of town." asked
candle carelessly, touching the prof
Tered hand and reaching past him to
;hake hands with the new guest.
You're looking fine, Mr.. Wallingford.
Had to have you with us again. The
governors suit was just vacated yes
terday." and he smiled upon Walling-
ford with genuine joy. He knew all
about Wallingford's scarcely doubtful
commercial transactions. but hotel
desk is not jury room. Wallingford's
bill for two would come close to $500
Il week.
"Glad to be back" returned Walling-
ford. radiating equal joy-'that is. If
you have left any Of that '9S Chateau
Yquem. Candle. wish you'd look aft
er little dinner of, say, twelve covers
tonight. Have you the same chef?'
Henri is still with us. He'll be
tickled stiff to know you're here"
'"Tell him l leave the dinner right up
to him. l wouldn't even give Henri a
hint"
Mr.. Steele followed him thoughtful
Iy, still worried with the analysis of
Wallingford's smile. He had not ac-
quired the trick of it yet. He sat 81
Iently in the governors suit while
Wallingford and Blackie removed the
dust of travel and was keenly interest
ed in the fact that Wallingford had
exchanged his black tie for dark red
one and the plain waistcoat of his
travelling suit for a gray silk one.
Are we going out and circulate,
Jim" asked Blackie.
II think So" replied Wallingford
gravely. for he had been deep in
thought ever since he had turned away
from the desk. "Telephone down and
see if we can't get touring car. You'll
come along with us, l suppose. Mr.
Steele?"
We'll" hesitated Mr.. Steele. II feel
us if l ought to have share in the
spending of my money, but l have to
run over to my boarding house awhile
and look after sending out my laundry
and get Strengthened around. Can't
you waltz"
Wallngford shook his head prompt
~. THE only way | can avoid being
lynched in this town is to keep busy
ne affirmed.
II guess you're right about that
Omitted Mr. Steele. what are you