Alma record., 1915-05-20

thing is all over might feel some diff
fferent-yesl 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 it hurts me"
Walter went forward a step toward
the older man. with his jaw thrust out
little farther than usual. and shrug-
ged his shoulders contemptuously.
I've got you doped out all right" he
SAD
Blount sat erect much surprised at
the others attitude of dspleasure as
well as by the utterance itself.
"Doped out" he exclaimed
Walter chuckled malevolently
II haven't got You placed exactly"
he admitted. but I've got your class
all right Do you got me:
Blount bounced heavily 10 his feet
His expression was suddenly grown
sinister
My class" he repeated blusteringy.
Walter maintained his evil satisfac-
ton.
I'D be willing to bet yoi hundred
that you wouldn't put your bertilon
IN a piece. of wax"
Blount leaped forward with a 1.-THE
J swiftness astonishing In one OF his
bulk
D you" he said very softly. but
with an intensity more vehement than
mere sound Now you look here
and look mighty close, My name is
/ John Blount. I'm your father. There's
your mother I'm from Laramie. Wyo
They respect us out there. Under
standf That goes as It lays. They're
going 10 run me for mayor next spring
and my wife here is president OF the
Mothers club You can look up our
record there right through for the last
four years We've lived straight, and
we're going TO remain straight. Now
let me tell you something else. II you
want to look any further back than
that you're looking for trouble-and a
chance 10 get croaked"
There was a deadly ferocity in the
tones.
Jaw. you needn't get SO sore about
it, Walter urged quaverlngly
Blount spoke again.
at looks 10 me as If we were likely
to be together for some time TO come
AS far as | know. you're just Walter
Blount outside of Nate- Blount /
don't know who you are, and l don't
care either"
Walter strove again to placate the
man whom he had SO seriously OF
Tended.
"Aw, was just kidding" he pro
tested weakly. His attempt at pro
pitiatory smile was tremulous
OF sudden new curiosity stirred
in Walter
And the girl-that skrt-my sister,
you know What is shet' he demand
ed. is she one of u.s."
She's only been with us week.
Mrs Blount explained Game from
across the pond. so how can we tell?"
Said Blount:
I'VE don't know n darned thing about
the girl except that she's our daugh-
ter. That's all we're supposed to
know. and it's all we need TO know.
a, that" \ sudden memory moved I'm
the husbands brain. and he continued
with increased sternnesS. And another
thing-don't you dare again To act like
you did today at lunch. There we
were dining at the Waldorf with fine
people. and me a-bragging about our
big ranches and our beautiful home
out west And then ! caught you try
ing TO cop a spoon. so that | had to
kick you under the table An old in
stinct revived from the association OF
ideas. and he added petulantly. And
IL was plated one. at that.'
What's the odds" she demanded
very spiritedly. Lots of perfectly re
spectacle people take things like that
at hotels just for souvenirs. Why,
know a lady that hasn't got two tow
els alike In her whole house And
she's real rich too"
Walter reverted TO the subject OF
prime interest TO him.
"And the girlr' he insisted. He
gazed at Blount eagerly "Do you
think Andrew has anything on the
girl. like he has on usT'
In an instant Blount had leaped
close, his face furious with passion
Andrew hasn't anything on us!' he
hissed
A fash of anger gave leeting cour
age to Walter
"Huhr' he exclaimed scornfully.
Don't try and slip anything like that
overr
Andrew came In from the next room
and stood directly between the two
men. Then he addressed them with
contemptuous coldness:
"If through jealousy and pickering
you fail 10 act your parts so that In
consequence my plans miscarry, II will
count against you far more than would
mere disobedience. What was the
cause Of this rowi"
Blount pointed to Walter.
ASK the whelp!"
II was just kidding-that's all"
Take care. sir" Andrew said harsh