, 1915-05-20

Biount cleared his throat impressive
" and spoke with bow as low as a
generous paunch would permit.
Mother" he said tenGerly, this is
our son-our only son TO this date. Wal
ter"
Mrs. Blount beamed roguishly.
"Ain't he the cute little sonr' she
gushed. "Oh. sonnyT' She advanced
with fond haste toward the discomfort
ed walter, with the evident intention
of bestowing on him a chaste embrace.
Jaw, cut that outl' the son cried,
disgustedly. as he drew back In alarm
before the threatened onslaught.
why, walter!"
"Oh, thunder" Walter expostulated.
"Say, what's the use of that bunkT"
Mrs. Blount spoke seriously now.
mo use, of course" she admitted
gravely. Its funny. thoursh." she
added, a little w%istfully; lust for a
minute 1 felt, somehow, like you might
be my boy, sure enough-the one 1
had. Amt that the limit now 2"
well / ain'tF' the young man de-
clared Grossly. 80 wen cut out the
euddling. Seer
Mrs. Blount's humorous sense Of the
situation caused her again to speak.
II can't see that he's changed a mite,
dad" she remarked, with a mellow
gurgle of laughter.
Jaw. cut thatl" Walter insisted sui
lenly.
"Do you know what you're up
againstT" he questioned shrilly. 81
tell you, straight, this games danger
GUS. Do you know, it's some kind Of
a frame up Andrews got against VAIN
wrightF"
"WainwrightF' Blount cried, aghast
at this disquieting statement as to the
thing in which he had become involv-
ed. You don't meant the one here
the one that was district attorney p
That's just the guy I mean" was
the savage assurance.
Blount showed symptoms Of alarm.
His ruddy face grayed a little, and the
heavy flesh of the jowls sagged.
"It don't look good to me-" Blount
confessed somberly. whats the idear'
Walter shook his head in admission
of ignorance.
"An I know is that he's got 1t in for
head. That's all l know. Whatever
1t is, it's something fierce. II you don't
believe me just mention the name of
Wainwright some time when he's
around. You watch him then. and
your see, all right"
By a great effort OF self control
Blount rsassumed his manner of genial
fly.
"Well. WE'LL" he exclaimed patroniz-
ingly. 81 really must look into this
matter, quite in the interests of my
friend. You know, I'm an old friend
of Andrews, and merely to oblige him
I've agreed to adopt II son inc daugh-
ter for a few weeks"
Mrs. Blount spoke aggressively.
Yes, John" she said. land you know
he absolutely assured us that the whole
thing was only n harmless joke" She
hesitated slightly, then continued
doubtfully, But if it's as Walter
says She broke off. frowning.
Listen here. son." he said presently,
with a return to his kindlier amer
"If I'm going to be a father to you
I've got to be 1t all the time. that's GER
tain-not merely when somebody else
is around. | can't be a fond father
one minute and then be hating your
insides the next, although when this
thing is all over l might feel some diff
rerent-yes! But as long as we're on
this game I'm going to think a heap
Of you. Yes. that's the program. and
it's got to be carried out no matter
how much 1t hurts me-"
Walter went forward a step toward
the Older man, with his jaw thrust out
a little farther than usual. and shrug
ged bis shoulders contemptuously.
1--WE got you doped out all right" he
said
Blount sat erect, much surprised at
the others attitude of displeasure as
well as by the utterance itself.
"Doped outT' he exclaimed.
Walter chuckled ~malevolently.
II haven't got you placed exactly
he admitted, but I've got your class
all right. Do you get mei"
Blount bounced heavily to his feet
His expression was suddenly grown
sinister.
ITO ~ Costinued)
Frank Jones and Mr.. and Mrs.