Evening star., 1914-10-25

DfOWS, WHO gr11nlN S1IllleQ. lneTe was some
thing vastly familiar about this visitor, but
hard to identify. His first words were un-
expected and unconventional.
"How do you like my rig?" he asked
Couldn't afford to overlook any white
chips. Thought maybe the swampers 1ayin'
around in the outer office might have orders
to keep me out and bawl for the police if
came 1ookin' the way l did the other day.
Of course that card amt mine. I'm Tom
Wharton Hold on! Wouldn't do that if
l were youi"
The last came explosively; for Wardheim
had suddenly repeated his attempt of their
first meeting and tried to press the button.
But he now held shivering hand in mid-air,
and with bulging eyes seemed fascinated by
the level muzzle of heavy revolver that
appeared to have come from nowhere and
lined itself directly with his head.
Suppose" said his visitor, shat you get
up, with your hands above your head, and
walk over to the wall until I frisk you for
concealed weapons, after which 1 may let
you sit down while we have nice, uninter-
rupted powwow.'
Wardheim's eyes betrayed his mental de-
bate whether he dared refuse.
"Get up and go over there! Quick, or I'll
pot you like tarantula, and laugh when l
prove self-defense over your carcass
Each word was like physical kick, de-
cisive and relentless. Wardheim was in the
air and obeying by jerks and leaps as each
one voleyed into his ears. He dare neither
swift hand over his apparel, then chuckled
softly, backed around, and complacently
seated himself in the big mahogany chair,
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
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
antly. Besides, Wardheim, you won't
want to be interrupted before I'm through
with you. Oh, no! You'll be just as anxious
as l am that nobody hears what we're goin'
to talk about. For Heavens sake, you
white-livered Paiute, quit shakin'! You rat
tie the hoorsi 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 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 1 came here the other day and
begged you to let up on young Steele, so he
could have chance to be what he ought to
be, you ranted about justice and all that
bunk, showin' how good you were. You!
Why, Lord Almighty, Man! you're the worst
thief I 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 I reckon I'd have
laughed myself limber-kneed!"
He Strengthened himself and took from
his pocket bundle cf papers, with rubber
band round them, and tossed them over into
the bankers lap. 3Just take a look al
those" he said; $50 we can save time, and
SO you'll know I'm not bluffin'"
The banker dared do nothing but obey,
and then, first in bewilderment, then ap-
prehension, looked up. Well" he asked,
fighting weakness of voice, what about
them? All see is some stocks"
aWhat about them? Why, don't you see