Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-12-08

established custom OF giving himself
q quiet half-hour of inviolable seclu-
sion in which to read and consider
his mail. During this sacred interval
the stenographer, standing guard in
the outer office, had instructions to
deny his chief to callers of any and
every degree Wherefore, when, at
20 minutes to II, the door of the pri-
vate office opened to admit a stranger.
the president was Justly annoyed.
well, sir; what !now?" he demand
ed, impatiently, taking the intruder's
measure in a swift glance shot from
beneath his bushy white eyebrows.
The unannounced visitor was q
young man Of rather prepossessing D-
pearance, q trifie tall for his breadth
Of shoulder, fair. with blue eyes and q
curling. reddish beard and mustache.
the former trimmed to a point So
much the president was able to note
fn the appraisive glance-and to re-
member afterward.
The caller made no reply to the curt
question. He had turned and was
closing the door. There was a Quist
insistence in the act that was like the
flick of Q whip to Mr.. GalbraithAs irri-
tation.
IF you have business with me,
you'll have to excuse me for . few
minutes" he protested, still more i'm
patiently. BE good enough to take q
seat In the anteroom until I ring.
MacFarland should have told you"
The young man drew up chair and
sat down. ignoring the request a. II
he had failed to hoar It. Ordinarily
Mr.. Andrew Galbraith's temper was
eQuable enough; the age-cooled tenn
per of a methodical gentleman whose
long upper lip was in itself an adver-
tisement Of self-control. But such .
deliberate infraction Of his rules
compiled with the stony impudence OF
the visitor. made him spring up an
grily to ring for the watchman.
The intruder was too quick for him.
When his hand sought the bell push
he found himself looking into the
muzzle of revolver. and SO was fain
70 fall back Into his chair. gasping.
"Ah-h-h!" he stammered. And when
the words could be managed: so
that's Il. is it?-you're a robber!"
"No." said the invader Of the presi-
Dental privacy calmly, speaking for
the first time since his incoming. Il
am not = robber. save in your own
very limited definition Of the word. I
am merely poor man. Mr.. Gal
braith-one OF the uncounted thou
sands-and I want money. II you call
for help, l shall shoot you. Il IL
merely question OF money, and II
you are amenable to reason"
eff fm-but I'm not amenable to
yeur reasons!" Mustered the presi-
dent, recovering a little from the first
shock Of terrified astoundment. 81 re-
fuse to listen to them. I'll not have
anything to do with you. Go away!"
The young mans smile showed his
teeth. but 1t also proved that he was
not wholly devoid OF the sense of
humor.
Keep your temper. Mr.. Galbraith."
he advised coorly. The moment is
mine. and l say you shall listen first
and obey afterward. Otherwise you
die. Which is It to be? Choose
quickly-time Is precious"
The president yielded the first
point. that of the receptive ear; but
grudgingly and as one under strict
compulsion.
We'll. well. then; out with it. What
have you to say for yourself?"
This: You are rich; you represent
the existing order of things. I am
poor. and l stand for my necessity.
which is higher than any man.made
law or custom. You have more money
than you can possibly use in any le-
gitimate personal channels: l have
not the price Of the next meal, already
twenty-four hours overdue. came
here this morning with my life in my
hand to invite you to share with me
a portion of that which is yours chiefly
by the right of possession. II you do
It, well and good: II not, there will
be new president of the Bayou State
Security. Do make myself sufficient
ly explicit?"
Andrew Galbraith glanced furtively
At the paper-weight clock on his desk.
II was nearly eleven, and MacFarland
would surely come In on the stroke
Of the hour. II he could only fend
of the catastrophe for few minutes,
until help should come He searched
In his pockets and drew forth a hand
full of coins.
The invader of privacies glanced at
tho clock in his turn and shook his
head
You are merely trying to gain time,
and you know it, Mr.. Galbrafsh. My
stake in this game is much more than
a handful of charity silver; and /
don't do you 'he injustice to believe
that you hold your life so cheaply;
you who have SO much money and,
al best, so few years to live"