Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-12-31

ASAANhOA'
Get It if you can," said Jack in
differently. Meantime do you mind
going home? I'm busy"
"Busy, busyl You Americans al
ways busy, waiting for money like 20
pigs! Har' The count uttered blood
chilling laugh.
BEAT itp' said Jack tersely.
"And If do not beat itP" Knocked
the count.
II shall have to throw you down.
stairs" remarked Jack, though he felt
a qualm of doubt whether he could
really do it.
The count was twice his size, with
the shoulders of a pugillst.
Come on, thenp' exulted Count Ig-
mace, striding into the hall. Come on,
little kitten! break your bones. Hal"
Jack redeemed about his ears. He
leaped at Mercuto's shoulders and
pushed him along the polished floor to
the stairway.
There, however, Mercuto gave the
office man the fight of his life.
But there came n moment when Jack
could put his boot quickly forward and
impel Count Ignace In an ignominious
scramble down the stairs to the first
landing.
Then Jack, feeling battered and
weary, went back to the office.
Amos Hilton was standing In the
doorway. He had witnessed the I'M
equal fight.
"Good boyv' he nodded approvingly.
"You better take the rest of the day
off,"
"Thank you, but I've got a lot of
work to do" said Jack as he vanished
into the lavatory to remove the traces
Of the fray.
When he returned to his desk his fell
low clerks looked curlously at him.
His face was ornamented by black
ened eye and cut and swollen lip.
If he suffered any pain 1t was numb.
ed by the happy thought that he had
done Cicely a service.
AS a natural reward Of heroism Jack
was invited to dine at the HiltOns' ten
days after the above incident. And
Mrs. Hilton was so charming to him
that Jack felt that he could almost
fall I'm love with her Before he went
home that night Mr.. Hilton called Jack
into hts library.
"Trainor," he said seriously, what
would you say If l told you that Hilton
G. Co. are facing ruin?'
Jack looked bewildered. "Why, I'd
aou inoroJihIapp ho aynIoi nad
II know the ms and outs of the bust
ness, and
"Do you know them better than /
do?" demanded Hilton.
81 should know them as well. Am
l not your confidential clerkT Jack
argued.
"You are. Still, what have you to
say when | tell you that Hilton & Co.
close their doors tomorrow and that
am pennilessT'
Jack drew long breath.
"I'm sorry for you, sir, but I'm
mighty glad for myself" he said. "You
see. love Cicely, and | couldn't ask
her to leave this luxurious home for
the humber one | could provide. But
now we are equals. can ask your
consent, slr?"
Amos Hilton wrung Jacks hand.
"You are very much of man,
Jack" he said heartily. Remember,
a homes "A home. and I'm sure that
Cicely will be happy with you any
where. You better go and tell her
nowr'
When Jack had vanished Mr.. Hilton
INDUCED In another one Of his long fits
Of silent laughter
The next morning when Jack came
to the Office he seemed to walk on air.
All his dreams had come true He was
to marry Cicely in the autumn He
had discovered that his enemy, as he
had called Amos Hilton, was In pri-
vate life a mild hammered, affectionate
man.
Jacks encounter with Count Ignace
Mercuto had given him fresh conf
dence In himself. He could never con-
fess to any One-not even Cicely-the
fear that weakened his knees when he
confronted the huge foreigner.
Jack had barely reached the office
when the bell over his desk sounded
tang"
Amos Hilton was dlsmissing WIS.,
itor through. the corridor door of his
private Office
Jack was sure he recognized the sin
lister face Of Count Ignace.
But Hilton closed the door and smil-
ed cheerfully at his prospective SON
in-law.
How goes 1t, Jackf" he asked, clap
ping hand on the young mans shouI-
der.
Happily, sir" said Jack, grInning.
But how about the bad business you
spoke about last nlghtT'
"Just joke, Jack, to test your cour-
age wondered whether you loved
my girl for herse!s or the money. I
found out, God bless your
But when Amos Hilton was alone he
nnfolded receipted bill and reread It
with twinkllng eyes:
Amos Hilton, Dr..
To William Pugsley:
For impersonatlng-one count ......... 800
For allowing n clerk to lick me ...... 100
500
Paid W. PUGsLEY.
Amos Hilton made an entry in a lit
tie Russian leather expense book, ana
re shook silently while he wrote: