Putnam patriot., 1915-08-13
oh. thunder Walter expostuIated.

"Oh. thunderi' Walter expostuIated. Say what's the use of that bunk?"
 Mrs. Blount spoke seriously now.
 No use of eourse,' she admitted gravely. Its funny. though" she added little wistfully; just for minute l felt. somehow. like you might be my boy sure enough-the one I never bad. Ain,t that the limit nowT' Well, l ant.s the young man de- clared esossig. So we'll cut out the cuddIing. seeg
 Mrs. Blount's humorous sense of the situation caused her again to speak.
 T can't see that he's changed q mite. dad" she remarked, with a mellow gurele of laughter
 "Aw. cut thatw Walter insisted sul- lenly
 Do you know what you're up asainst?e he questioned shrilly q tell you. straight. this games danger ous. Do you know. it's some kind of a frame mp Andrews got against Vain wright?"
 Wainwright" Blount cried. aghast at this disquieting statement as to the thing in which he had become invov- ed You don't meant the one here the one that was district attorney?"
 That's just the guy l mean" was the savage assurance.
 Blount showed symptoms of alarm. His ruddy face erayed a little, and the heavy flesh of the iowls sagged
 Tt don't look good to me-" BloUnt confessed somberly What's the idea?" Walter shook his head in admission of ignorance
 "All know is that he's got it in for Wainwright' ' Again be shook his head That's all | know. Whatever it is. it's something fierce. If you don't believe me just mention the name of Wainwright some time when he's around You watch him then, and you'll see, all right,
 By great effort of self control Blount reassumed his manner of genial ity.
 Well. wellr' he exclaimed patroniz- Ingly. q 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 d son and daugh- ter for few weeks"
 Mrs. Blount spoke progressively.
 ''Yes. John." she said. and you know he absolutely assured us that the whole thing was only 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 return to his kindlier manner. 'Tf I'm going to be father to you I've got to be it all the time. that's cer- 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 an over l might feel some diff fTerent-yesi But as long as we're on this game I'm going 10 think heap of you Yes that's the program. and it's got to be carried out no matter how much il hurts me.
 Walter went forward a step toward the older man. with his jaw thrust our a little farther than asaal. and shrug- ged his shoulders contemptu0usly.
 live got you doped out all right" he said.
 BI0nnt sat erect. much surprised at the others attitude of displeasure as well as by the Htterapee itself.
 'Doped outw lie exclaimed.
 Walter chuckled maievolently
 T haven't got you placed exactly" he admitted but I've got your class all right. Do you get me!v
 Blount bounced heavily to his feet His expression was suddenly grown sinister
 My classT' he repeated blusteringiy.
 Walter maintained his evil satisfac- tion.
 I'd be willing to bet you hundred