The Washington times., 1915-12-26

lingford Erinned: the graymus-
tached man in tho corner sat in patient
misery. as he had from the first. and
held his swollen jaw.
The woman in the operating room
emitted final yelp, which made
Blackie grip the arms of his chair and
groan because he had thoughtlessly
Eritted his teeth.
"For that you get another DOSE re-
Tented Wallngford. aggravatngly
cheerful, and. producing beautifully
mounted pocket-flask, he poured Blackie
a 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 q 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. cEeing the bottle de-
terminedly
Hello. Bessmer; how's Oak Center?"
Of YOU is next" and brutal specula ton
kindled his eye as he loked them over.
I'm it. | 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 carc-frec little song!
Il dislike that man. commented
Blackie. He has an unkind face"
A woman, wearing heavy veil and
carrying a much crumpled handker
chief, came through the waiting room:
followed by the dentist. who rubbed
his hands together in pleasant antici-
patton az he bowed to Blackie. There
was an unmistakable gieam OF feroclty
in his eyes.
"You may come with me now" he
remarked softly.
Blackic arose and followed. with
much careless bravery.
That's excellent whisky" Compli-
mented Mr.. Bessmer. beginning to
realize the after-tastc of it.
Fifteen years old" replied Nalling-
ford, offering him more, which he .ie-
clined. "Kentucky friend OF mine
keeps me supplied. Oak Center. DO
you know Eli Spooger"
Hes a stockholder in my compan" "
A discontented shrug with this.
81 see Wallingford smiled. rs Oak
Center a pretty fair business town.
For some lines stated Ressmer:
with distinct and quite visible inv ard
reservations. It's really a farming
town. and very rich. but it gives slight
support to manufacturing"
You must be manufacturer
guessed Wallingford.
II am, in small way" acknowledge
ed the other. stiIl frowning. II have
a malleable iron foundry, and haN =
secured capacity business. on process
Of my own"
"Capacity is good enough"
The trouble is with the size of the
capacity" explained Bessmer, with a
dry laugh.
"Tll go to Oak Center and look at
your plant" promised Wallingfori.
I have fifty thousand dollars Whi' h
haven't done a useful thing, except
come to me- since they were printed" -"
Rlackie Daw returned from the Cp-
Grating room with the dentist in n
high state OF elation.
Go in and have your teeth tinke"-
ed. Jim he urged. This gentlem IN
is friend Of mine, and is kind and
st"t d of enuralgia," explained w.
dcrtist smiling. I'm ready for YOU
row, Mr.. Bessmer."
"I suppose I shall see YOU again. Mr..
Va 'nsford. .ventured Bessmer:
shaking his head a him. and givin% n
sidelong glance toward BIackie Mr.
Bessmer nodded in comprehension Of
the warning to he secretive, and went
in to be tortured
"The girls were correct in their suR-
gestion, said Wallingford as soon as
they We're alone. and he produced A
letter from his pocket. This is trc
best report they have made Of aAy
town"
They're craCker jacks. especially
Violet" said Rlackie, blowing a ks
at the ceiling in honor Of pretty VII.
let warden, took the letter. 1t was
blew another kiss at the letter as re
read, Mr.. Bessmer will be in River
IltN today to see his dentist Mr.
Prang. Mr.. Bessmers business is ,h4
Mr. SpooGer has an interest. so W.,
believe that YOU might find This the
best approach to the sixty thousand
dollars OF which Mr.. Spooger robb ru
US on the death OF our father"
"IIow's that for brany work. eb?"
and We'll have lunch with the ladies. =
j. Rufus was alone when Mr.. Bes-
Semer returned from his pain
What time do YOU go back TO Oak
On the two-forty train"
rlde over with y"u,' promised
Wallingford; and they shook hands on
Mr.. Bessemer, much relieved as tc
Jaw, and With removed hope as to busi.
ness, took seat in the parlor-car OF
the two-fortN train. correctly gagins
that the respenden Walingford should
ride there or nowhere. The train waiteC
its appointed four minutes; It's bel
changed; its whistle footed: it's smoke
puffed, and it pulled out and still M
Wallinsford.
We'll. Mr.. Bcssemer. hows the Jaw p
inquired n cheerful voice at his elbow
and looking up. he found Blac ckie Daw
laden with a suitcase n hat box, al
oxford. aud A saXophone case.
'Haren't any. so far as the feeling /
concerned" responded Bessemer. hi
heart jumping with the sudden memor,
that BlaCkic Daw was in the same lin
nf business as tho man who had faile:
him. II didn't notice you getting on tn
train"
You were looking for jim WallinG
ford. that's tho reason" laughed BlaCki
slowing GriEs in every available cCr
ner and sitting down like rcsl sport
with no regard whatever for the tail
Of his Frince Albert II side-trsckc
him"
Mr.. Bessemcr contracted his brow
and turned ON ElaCkic n glance of dis
approval. THAT was not fair to eithc
Mr.. WaIlingford "r myself" he charpcd
"S's all in the game" declare
Ix 'kie li-htly. Il saw hc had busl
Sss opportunity with vou. so I had
phoneN telcsram delivered to him an
sent him on r wild goose chase, tho
made your dentist toll me al ahcu
tho RpsSpmCr Mallealle pToCCss Com