The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-02-11
WICKED OLD MAN
Ey ROGER JAccs DUNN.

ing letter which he had just re
ceived; after a while he rose and weet
TO i card index catalogue
"Randall-Randan, he muttered,
and began examining the records un-
der that name.
He seemed perpleXed, for he could
not remember where the Randalls
came from, if he had ever known.
Somewhere out West, he fancied. He
was still examining the catalogue
when the boy brought in a card, and |
he resumed his chair just in time 10
be able to rise and welcome a girl /
who entered nervously and with EVIL |
dent signs of agitation.
"Sit down. Miss Randall" said the
wickedest old man in town, Offering |
her a chair.
But she refused to be seated. and.
opening her reticule, took out letter
and clipping and flung them angrily
upon the desk.
Il received your blackmailing
| scheme" she cried. We'll, do you
think you can do what you threaten
and get away with it?''
! Madam, l have been getting away
| with it for fifteen years. answered
the wickedest man in town
| The girl collapsed into the chair
and burst into tears. The wickedest
| man in town seemed really concerned
| about her
Now, now, control yourself" he
said soothingly. This is Il simple
business proposition. / edit = paper
devoted to news of the socially elite.
| have received very interesting in
formation about your family which
would make good reading. Before
printing it | submitted a copy of it
to you-a proof, we call it-asking
you whether you wish it to appear,
and, if not, whether you would care 10
call here to discuss the matter. Well?'
But as the girl only stared at him
in helpless aversion, the wickedest
man in town proceeded TO read the
article slowly, with due enunciation
of every word.
The Randall-Robnson wedding
which takes place Oh the day follow
ing the return of the bridegroom from
England, next month
Yes, you coward" interrupted the
= girl. IF Mr.. Robinson were here you
+ would not dare TO print that. He
would thrash you within an inch OF
your life"
: Madam" said the wickedest mar
in town, Il have been tlrashed within
= | an inch OF my life at least once {
o year since l became an editor.
p thrive on it
n And he continued TO read:
n ''rWiH excite great interest, on &C
e count OF the interesting past of th'
i Randalls. Coming FROM left
: blank there for you to fill in he con
Is tinued
How much do you want TO keeI
e that out of your paper?" demande,
r Miss Juanita.
= "Tush, my child" answered tn
- wickedest man in town. You admi
- its truth, them
/ How much?' repeated the girl in
m fexibly.
Il have some other interests be-
S. sides editing my paper" pursued tn
re wickedest old man in town thought
lie fully. Il have good deal of minin
= stock"
- How many shares do you want m
n. TO buy?' inquired the girl.
lie But it is not for sale. However
" if you are really thinking OF buyin
Fl mining stock | can put you in touc
t with good friend of mine who ha
aS some for sale, l believe. | VIII as
- him to call on you tonight. Howeve
Oh Miss Juanita, it would be better for u
] ta- hn oil
Since | gather that you are averse I
having that item inserted, it shall ne
be inserted. | always try to pleas
my friends. Bat now, tell me, wheI
= do you come from?"
or Il won't tell you
Your mothers maiden name, then
~. urged the wickedest old man in tow
What are you going to do with III;
ar information?"
Keep it, my dear for a hundre
10 years longer than l live. Come, be Z
ne frank with me as you would be wi;
your lawyer. Who are your people
NC My mother was a Miss Rogers
cd AUSTIN answered the girl
The wickedest old man in toN
in bowed, and, walking to the catalogu
lt- took out the Randall card. He shove
ne it TO the girl. and then tore it in
tiny pieces, which be let fiutter throus
aS his fingers into the waste-paper ba
: ket.
av Good day, Miss Randall" said Il
wickedest old man in town. ~
n friend will not call on you with tn
nv mining stock
ill 'But-but, stammered the girl, I'll
ed article"
by VIII never be published answer,
rs the other, taking up the proof al
Ms tearing it, likewise. into small piece
Good day once more
But why did you send for me?" Il
girl demanded uneasily.
&c ITO verify nv suspicions answer.