The Washington times., 1915-12-26
woman in the next room
screamed again! Blackle Dsw
WINGED IN sympathy; wal


lingford grinned: the gray-mus-
tached man in the corner sat in patient
misery, as he had from the first. and
held his swollen jaw.
The woman in the operating room
emitted a final yelp, which made
Blackie grip the arms of his chair and
groan because he had thoughtlessly
gritted his teeth.
'For that you get another DOSE re-
Tented Wallingford. aggravatingly
cheerful. and, producing a beautifully
mounted pocket-flask, he poured Blackie
generous drink.
The quiet man in the corner exhibited
his first sign of human intelligence, as
his pain-dulled eyes followed that inter-
esting process.
Have little relief?" offered Wal
lingford who was an habitual good
Samaritan with liquor.
Il don't drink, thank you," replied
the man, talking cornerwise, and smil-
ing with one side of his mouth.
Lucky man. envied Blackie. Now
it'll do you good"
But I'll take one this time" finish
ed the stranger, eyeing the bottle de-
terminedly.
Hello, Bessmer: how's Oak Center?"
the dentist greeted the stranger. (which
of you is next" and brutal speculation
kindled his eye as he loked them over.
I'm it. 1 guess" acknowledged
Blackie, cornered. Give me another
drink. Jim. quick"
"I'll be ready for you in a couple of
minutes the dentist cheerfully assured
him and walked into the operating
room, humimng a care-free little song!
Il dislike that man. commented
Blackie. He has an unlSind face"
A woman, wearing a heavy veil and
carrying a much crumpled handker-
chief, came through the waiting room,
fOIlnx1yad nv ha dnnSiat uhn rIlhhNH
his hands together in pleasant antici-
patton as he bowed to BlRckie. There
was an unmistakable gieam OF ferocity
in hiss eyes.
you may come with me now" he
remarked softly.
Blackie arose and followed. with
much careless bravery.
That's excellent whisky" compli-
mented Mr. Bessmer. beginning to
realize the after-taste OF it.
Fifteen years old" replied Walling
ford. offering him more, which he de-
clined. Kentucky friend OF mine
keeps me supplied. Oak Center. DO
you know Eli Spooger?"
Hes a stockholder in my company
A discontented shrug with this.
''I see." Wallingford smiled. rs Oak
For some lines" stated Bessmer.
with distinct and quite visible inward
reservations. It's really a farming
town, and very rich, but it gives slight
SuppOTL 10
You must be manufacturer
guessed Wallingford.
II am, in a small way" acknowIedg-
ed the other. stiIl frowning. II have
q malleable iron foundry, and have
secured capacity business, on a process
Of my own"
Capacity is good enough"
THE trouble is with the size of the
capacity" explained Bessmer, with a
"Tn go to Oak Center and look at
your plant" promised Wallingfori.
II have fifty thousand dollars which
come to me. since they were printed
Bleckie Daw returned from the op-
Grating room with the dentist in a
high state of elation.
Go in and have your teeth Tinker
ed. Jim," he urged. This gentlem9 II
is friend of mine, and is kind and
GENTLE"
Mr. Daw hal a blackberry seed in
stead of enuralgia," explained th!
row, Mr.. Bessmer."
81 suppose | shall see you again, Mr.
Va hlingford," ventured Bessmer.
II think So" replied Wallingforl
shaking his head at him, and giving a
sidelong glance toward Blackie. MIR
Bessmer nodded in comprehension Of
the warning to be secretive, and went
in to be tortured
The girls were correct in their suE.
gestion," said Wallingford as soon az
ttey were alone, and he produced a
letter from his pocket. This is the
best report they have made of aAS
THEY'RE cracker jacks. especially
Violet" said Blackie. blowing a ks:
at the ceiling in honor Of pretty Wis
let warden took the letter: It wa.
in Niolets handwriting and Black!t
blew another kiss at the letter as ia
read. Mr.. Bessmer will be in Rivel
city today to see his dentist, Mr.
PranE Mr.. Bessmers business is tn,
only Improbable concern in whict
Mr., spooger has an interest, so W,
believe that you might find this tn,
pest approach to the sixty Thousand
dollars OF which Mr.. SpooEer robbed
us on the death of our father"
Flows that for brainy work eb?'
exultcd J. Rufus. Now hike, Blackie
and well have lunch with the ladies'
-, Rut9s was alone, when Mr.. Bes
semer returned from his pain.
What time do you go back to Oal
ON the two-forty train"
III ride over with you" promised
Wallingford; and they shook hands OF
II.
Mr.. Bessemer, much relieved as t,
jaw, and with removed hope as to busi
ness, took a seat i'm the parlor-car o
the two-forty train. correctly gagin,
that the resplendent Wallingford shOult
ride there or nowhere. The train waite
its appointed four minutes; Its bel
clanged its whistle footed: it's smoll
puffed, and it pulled out; and still n,
Wallingford!
well. Mr., Bessemer, hows the Jaw?
inquired a cheerful voice At his elbow
and looking up. he found Blaek!e Daw
laden with a suitcase. a hat box, a.
oxford, and a saNophone case
"Ha0en't any, so far as the feeling /
concerned" responded Bessemer, hi
heart jumping with the sudden nemor
that BlaclIie Daw was i'm the same lin
of business as the man who had faile
him. Il didn't notice you getting on tn
train"
You were looking for Jim Walllne
ford. that's the reason" laughed Blackl
slowing grips i'm every available cCI
ner. and sitting down. like a real spor
with no regard whatever for the tail
Of his Prince Albert II slde-trRcke
him"
Mr.. Bessemer contracted his brow
and turned ON BlaCkic n glance OF dis
approval. THAT was not fair to eithC
Mr.. WallinCford nr myself" he charged
"S's all In the game" declare
Mss opportunity with YOU, so 7 had
phoney telegram delivered To him an
sent him on a wild goose chase, tho
I made your dentist tell me ail abCl