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

A Judge Gilbert was about to IN
ter his front door, having accom-
panied Mr.. Kendall as far as the gate.
he raw Z 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 Ut 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 Is an unexpect-
ed pleasure"
Evening, Amos. Can ! see you
alone? I don't want to be interrupted"
I'VE can 60 into the library. No
one will disturb us there"
To this Kerr made no reply. He
toiled 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. It 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 SO heavily upon him as
to prevent him from satisfying his
curiosity by gazing about him. It
was the first 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 q word. His hands rested
l~istlessly 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
gazed DULY at the fire in the crate.
Gilbert had never e e him in such
Z 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.
Il tried to get you by telephone
several times today" Gilbert began.
4 know It, but l wasn't In the mood
for nothin'." The very tone in which
he spoke betrayed that fact.
Il promised Kendall I'd call you up
In regard to the new franchise he's
anxious for you to support"
"That1l keep"
Il told him that personally l could
not be interested"
This drew no answer from the boss.
Gilbert made no further attempt at
making conversation and for q time
the two men sat In silence. When
Kerr launched his first question 1t
seemed apropos Of nothing.
How long you been in Belmont,
Amos?"
0ilbert's brain went through q Sc
RES Of rapid thought transitions In
- effort 70 divine whittier the ques-
tjDn led. He WAS accustomed to Kerr's
intsrrogatory methods. but everything
ri % out of the ordinary this even
ing that no tried his best to fathom
the boss's purpose, before. il his usual
lAdiTect fashion. he disclosed the OBJ
let Of his visit. The question was
one easily answered. albeit with some
&rprise.
why. > little 0 than twenty
years."
Kerr continued to gaze into the nre,
soom1ngly oblivious to his surround
No.. Gilbert could Aot have sworn
49, tho boss had heard him reply.
T1m eans another question. still
oooman1ly apropos o. nothing.
1em9meer your nrst omceeafter
20 quit ksspang It in the top OF your
hat4'
''vea. very we'll. / paid you two
collars . week for desk room In .
ooeper Of your real estate omce-in
tAat same old once you still have q
mn street"
That's what I charged you--but
Don't guess you've got . receipt for
every week Was Il yoa Or Bill 0toner
= them 1Ays used % NE my BIC atlas
epe : lronin' boardf"
10th q -. I believe"
KsEs novsd rsstleasly IN his chair.
Men wont on.