The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-03-15
AN HONEST MAN
BY H. FIELDING.

Ter Of $50 borrowed by him from
CASH
Il his account had been turned over
TO anybody else but Williams the mat
Ten might not appear so black, but
George had been promoted over Will
lihms' head; the matter would 20
straight TO the supreme head of every
thing
Even now, If he could borrow the
S25-buf he had tried All his friends
in the office and 1t would not "be easy
to get out" Yet II must be done the
alternative was criminal prosecution
sheer ruin.
George laid his hand upon the lid of
his desk to pull II down. With or
without IN excuse, be must 90 out and
find that money.
Just as he arose from his scat Il
hand was laid upon his arn and he
uucd to face Od Zen, the soft-fouted
messenger, mysterious as demon Of
Iastcrn fable, who did the win Of the
supreme head Of the establishment.
MT. Hartman wants to see YOU"
said this slavc-oi-fhc-ring,
81 wonder if thore is anything in
making a clean breast of it?' he Said
to himself, as he walked toward llar-
rtman's room; and then he rcmcm-
bored what had LappcHcd to certain
Young man who lad done that very
thing Ii seemed that Tie floor was
10 longer ON level and he saw four
lnobs on IIauiman's door, as he
stretched his hand to open it.
There was ilal-toppcd desk as large
MS a dinner table in the middle OF tle
room, and ut the opposite side Of it sat
Hartman. His eyes smaller, his
nose was larger, lis chin was faucr,
and his coldriug was Il brighter red,
than ever before in Georges recollec-
tion Of him.
George had been in the great mans
presence oftener, during the past yeai,
than any other minor employee in the
main office. He Was an object OF envy
on that account. The idea Of appear
ing before this man as 4 thief was a
Thing to die Of
Lang" said Hartman, "Im going
10 give you chance"
Georges brain made 500 rapid revo-
iutions in his head.
''Niney-nine clerks in hundred"
Hartman continued. "Will always be
clerks. | believe that you are the
hundredth man. You've been handling
some correspondence with our agents
under my direction and you have
shown a comprehension of the subject
that has made me think well Of YOU"
George merely bowed. He could not
speak aloud. All his faculty of lam
guage was occupied in interior, sound
less cnrsing of himself for his incred-
ible folly
Our man Robbins in Johnstown,"
Hartman proceeded, "has been having
trouble, as you know"
He paused, and in the interval. the
effort of remembering who Robbins
WAS, cIeHred Georges mind.
Robbins is not the man for the
place." he said. "lIc doesn't seem to
know What he is there for"
Hartman slapped The desk gcnlly
With his fat hand.
"preclScly" said he; "and that is
why l am going to put you in his
Shoes"
The sweat started out suddenly in
ihc palms oi Georges hands and he
felt 1T the s;iine time the sensation of
Il cold grip on the back Of his neck.
"Nau VIII leave for Johnstown to.
nellt" said Hartman Here is the
order supwsedins Robbins. You viii
draw the Same sulary and get The same
commissions That he does This is an
opportunity. No man gets
such chance rs this twice in his life
tmc. You must prove yourself wor-
Thy, and do it in a hurry"
lie leaned over the desk and looked
earnestly ut George, who, in that mo-
lnent would have given his right hand
10 be an honest man.
81 expect You to crush competition
out there" continued Hartman. clint
fellow, Wellbrook. who is running an |
racket, must be done up. |
don't care how yeu do it, or what |
1t costs. Lay him out. We want all
he business wherever we 90"
He laughed pleasantly, and George |
tried 81 join him, but the thought Of |
Williams restrained his mlrth. 1t was |
dreadful to think that at the moment
when he was about to be trusted with
50 Important mission, the stigma Of
would be placed upon him.
"NIr Williams wishes to see YOU
SIR" said ord Ben, appearing suddenly
Harrmnn nodded to George. who |
was moving toward the door, and then |
,ad to the messenger: "All right; I'll /
see him.
Williams entered hurrledly, and
started with surprise at sight of
George. The latter nodded coldly.
by the way. Williams" he said,
there's twenty-five dollars in an en-
relope in my desk that forgot to turn
,ver to you. I'll lay it out on your
able
lie passed out. leaving williams
with his mouth open. and his
Yves like two glass marbles
To draw his money from the cashier
o arrange the amount for Williams. II
md to escape from the Office, required
mt little time.
George hurried home. his heart lipAt