The Benson signal., 1917-06-23
thin-lipped, close-mouthed, inexorably
roSO1vo6 cti1J

thin-lipped, close-mouthed, inexorably
resolved still.
"Read them." continued Rodney.
''I'll admit to you that the whole thing
would not be worth the paper it's
written on in a court Of law. or even
in a newspaper report, but it's con-
vincing to Us, and you can make it
convincing to everybody. You've got
to speak"
"Do you think, sir, that there. any
power In your Stretched-Out arm, or
in your rude voice or in yo5r threat
ening gesture to make me speak?"
"By the Lord" exclaimed Winters,
suddenly whipping out a Colts As
from the holster at his belt-he was
dressed just as he had been when he
rode away from the ranch-"out West
we've got ways for persuading men to
speak, and this is one Of them"
Winters was bigger man than Rod
ney His life had been wild and rough,
ana his manner when he wanted was
according. He would fain add physical
compulsiOn under threat of death to
Rodney's mental insistence.
"And do you think, sir, that I'm
afraid of any lethal weapon you can
produce or even use, any more than 1
am of Mr.. Rodney's words?" The old
mans eyes flashed, and his knees
shook, but he had all the spirit of
soldier as he looked into Winters
stern face, full Of threat and menace.
His thin voice took on a certain quail
ity of courage. 1t even rang a little.
His courage was mainly moral, but
there was some accompanying physical
hardihood, that was undoubted. "You
you wish, but you can't make me say
word I don't want to say of my
own free WILL" he cried out at last, his
voice strangely rising.
"Gentlemen; gentlemen" said Helen
Illingworth, rising and swiftly inter-
posing between the secretary and the
two angry men. She realized that the
affair had gone far enough and that
she must intervene. They had certain
ly failed lamentably, almost ludicrous-
ly. "You are wrong to threaten Mr..
Shurtliff. He is old enough to be the
father of either of you. Drop your
arm, Mr.. Rodney. Put up that pistol,
Mr.. Winters. Mr. Shurtliff," said the
girl quickly, "as am in certain sense
your hostess, and as you are in a GER
tain sense my guest here, I apologize
to you for the improper and impulsive
conduct of these young men. They
love Bertram Meade dearly, as I do.
Let that be their excuse. Meanwhile,
they will apologize to you here and
now, am sure"
There was moment of silence. Rod
ney and Winters stared at each other,
and both looked at the girl, confront
ing them so confidently in her superb
and beautiful way. Winters smiled a
little shamefacedly as he showed his
gun back into it's holster. His had in
deed been the greater Offense.
"Mr. Winters, Mr.. Rodney" said the
girl insistently.
"Oh, I apologize. I suppose it was
wrong to threaten him." said Rodney
disgustedly.
"Hang it," said Winters now utterly
forgetful of conventions, sit wasn't the
thing to do to draw a gun on a little
old man, and I'm sorry I did it."
"And now that we've apologized
you'll tell us the truth, won't you?"
asked Rodney swiftly, with no appre-
ciable change of manner.
"Yes, we beg it now, humbly,"
chimed in Winters, with anything but
an humble air or voice.
"I won't have Mr.. Shurtliff even ap-
pealed to now," said Miss Illingworth.
"You have threatened him and you
have apologized. Whether he forgives
you or not is for him to decide, but he
shall not be worried, or questioned, or
insulted any more"
"Thank you, Miss Ilingworth. 1
came for that book on the desk: your
father wants it," said Shurtliff grimly,
bowling slightly to her.
He stepped a little tremblingly-the
scene had been unnerving-past the
young men, picked up the book, bowed
again formally and Enthusiastically to
Miss nlingworth alone, and went out
of the car. The honors Of the encoun-
ter we're certainly his.
"Well, Miss Illingworth," said Win
| ters, ST don't know whether you made
a mistake or not. think I could have
scared it out of him with this little
persuader of mine" He tapped the
| butt Of the pistol.
"You couldn't have done it If you
had killed him." said the woman, who
had read the old secretary correctly.
"He isn't what I call a daring man.
but he has courage that would take
him to the stake rather than make
him give way, the courage Of endur-
ance rather than of action. When he
speaks, if he ever does, it will be Of
his own free will"
''Or because you may persuade him"
said Rodney. "By jove, when I think
If over if was the finest thing YOU ever