Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-15

will fix the franchises"
Bendix, although the project and
Sledge's resolution were absolutely
new to him, never batted an eyelash.
| We'll get together on that at the
! hotel in about an hour" he told Gally
and Bozzam. Nothing ready to give
out to the papers, is there, Sledge?"
Nav"
You'd better explain to Bozzam
what you want in the way of routes"
suggested Bendix. 1.-The franchises
should be passed in secret session, Gal
ly. Is everybody all right"
, ITS a family reunion" declared
Gally. us that all. Sledge:"
Wait" said Sledge and looked out
at the mop.
| Everybody sat down, and there
| seemed to be some important topic In
allegiance. They INDUCED in no trihing
conversation, but looked out of the
window. Bendix ordered drinks, which
they consumed silently and solemnly.
Sledge evidently had some weighty
plan on his mind, for he only drank
half his beer.
Davis Of the First National came in,
a pompous man, with a fish fat double
chin and pompous white side whiskers
and white waistcoat. He stood at
the other side Of the table. but Sledge
beckoned him closer, and Davis, wear
ing an impenetrable air Of mystery,
leaned his whiskered ear far down.
Call Marley's loans" rumbed the
boss in a tone which at three feet
away sounded like tuba sawmill
rs he shaky:" inquired Davis in
panic stricken whisper.
"He will be- promised Sledge.
why, he owes the bank So5,O00r' re-
turned Davis, more panic stricken than
ever. and his whispering sounded like
the exhaust Of safety valve III go
right away and protect the bank
What has happened to him. Mr.
Sledge:"
Nothing yet" stated Sledge. "Sit
down, Davis"
Mr.. Davis sat down. and the four
who had been told to wait looked at
one another with growing wonder and
at the impasSive big man, who was
still drawing Inspiration from the de-
crepit mop.
Five minutes passed. Bendix and
BoZzam and Gally sat in comfortable
quiet. resting all their faculties, phys
ical, mental and moral, but Mr.. Davis
fidgeted audibly. He twiddled his fin
gers. he fused with his cravat, he
ran slip nooses in his watch cord. he
wiped his reading glasses and put them
on and took them off.
Five minutes more passed Mr.. Da
| Wis in desperation rang the bell for
the velvet footed Adolph and ordered
a drink. In other gatherings Mr.. Boz
Fam would have enlivened the moment
with story or with conversation and
repartee. On occasion he could have
sung a song or recited poem or play
ed seven-up. craps or tiddledywinks, all
with the pleasing finish Of profess
sional. Just now. however. he remain
ed as placidly calm as a cake of Swiss
cheese.
A step came down the narrow pas
sageway \ rawboned fellow appear
I'd in the doorway. He was tall and
big and wore good clothes. LIS hands
were coarse and had Dubious finger
tips, with extremely broad, stubb-
nails, but they showed no signs of re-
cent toll. He had wide mouth and
hpnoS
head. He looked like a retired coal
HEAVIER. The exigencies of politics had
once made him county treasurer, and
since then he had lived In prosperous
idleness.
Sledge arose and walked around to
the front Of the table.
Say, Feeder" he growled, 1--WE been
paying you seventy-five a month for
two years. That right?"
Yes hesitated Feeder, with a puz-
the little room.
What for?'' demanded Sledge.
Mr.. Feeder smiled ingratiatingly, Ut
paled in the process.
|
What for!" demanded Sledge.
"Well, T. And, more puzzled than
ever, he looked around the equally
puzzled gathering. Even Bendix was
at loss.
What for, I say?' suddenly thun-
dered Sledge.
ION the level?' inquired Feeder II
don't get this, Sledge. l don't see
Tell en-
We'll, If you got to have it,
He stopped, gave another glance at
his audience and stared at Sledge in
credulously
Sledge advanced step toward him.
Il said tell EN-"
Here goes, then" responded Feed
er, exasperated-''fo keeping my mouth
shut about receiving the public funds
interest money for you"
You're liar" doomed Sledge and,
suddenly stepping forward with mar
velous agility for SO ponderous a man,
swung his right arm, the biceps of
which was like a thigh, and knocked
Feeder straight through the door.
Throw him out" he directed and sat
down.
Bendix accepted that commission as
readily as If it had been q suggestion
to ring for another drink A rather
, heavy man himself, he stepped lightly
into the passageway. grabbed Feeder
by the collar as he was rising and
punched him In the eur. Phil and