Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-18
CHAPTER II.
Questionable Friends.

OF the earlier portion of the night
of his grandfather's death Bobby
retained a minute recollection. The
remainder was like a dim, appalling
nightmare whose impulse remains
hidden.
When he went to his apartment to
dress. for dinner he found the letter
of which Silas Blackburn had
spoken to Katherine. 1t mentioned
the change in the will as an ap-
preaching fact nothing could alter.
Bobby fancied that the old man
merely craved the satisfaction of
terrorizing him, of casting him out
with all the ugly words at his COM
, mand. Still good deal more than
million isn't to be relinquished
lightly as long as chance remains.
Bobby had an engagement for din
ner. He would think the situation
over until after dinner, then he
might go.
1t was, perhaps, unfortunate that
at his club he met friends who drew
him in a corner and offered him too
many cocktails. AS he drank his
anger grew. and it wasn't all against
his grandfather. He asked himself
why during the last few months he
had avoided the Cedars, why he
had drifted into too vivid a life in
New York. 1t increased his anger
that he hesitated to give himself
frank answer. But always at such
moments it was Katherine rather
than his grandfather who entered his
mind. He had cared too much for
her, and lately, beyond question, the
bond of their affection had weak
ened
He raised his glass and drank. He
set the glass down quickly as if he
would have liked to hide it. A big
man, clear eyed and handsome,
walked into the room and came
straight to the little group in the
corner. Bobby tried to carry it off.
"Lo, Hartley- old preacher. You
fellows all know Hartley Graham?
Sit down We're going to have a
little cocktail"
Graham looked at the glasses,
shaking his head.
IF you've time, Bobby, I'd like
a word with you"
mo preaching" Bobby bargained.
1T isn't Sunday"
Graham laughed pleasantly.
"It's about money. That talks
any day"
Bobby edged a way out and fol.
lowed Graham to an unoccupled1
room. There the big man turned
on him.
"See here, Bobby! When are you
going out to the Cedars?"
Bobby flushed.
"You're a dear friend, Hartley,
and I've always loved you, put I'm
in no mood for preaching tonight.
Besides, I've got my own lite to
lead"-he glanced away-"my own
reasons for leading it"
"Im not going to prearh, Ora
ham answered seriously, although
it's obvious you're raising the devil
with your life. l wanted to tell you
that I've had a note from Katherine
today. She says your grandfathers
threats are taking too much form;
that the new Wills bound to come
unless you do something. She cares
too much for you. Bobby, to see you
throw everything away. She's asked
me to persuade yd'' to go out.
"Whv didn't she write to mel"
"Have you been very friendly with
Katherine lately? And that's not
fair. You're both without parents.
You owe Katherine something on
that account"
Bobby didn't answer, because it
was clear that while Katherlnes at
lection for him had weakened. her
friendship for Graham had grown
too fast. Looking at the other he
didn't wonder.
"There's another thing" Graham
was saving. THE gloomy old
Cedars has got on katherlnes
nerves, and she says there's been
change in the old man the last few
davs-wanders around as if he were
afraid OF something"
Bobby laughed outright.
"Him afraid of something! It's al
WAYS been his system to make
everybody and everything afraid OF
him. But you're right about Kath,
crime. We have always depended
on each other. I think I'll go out
after dinner" =, .,
"Then come have bite with ME"
Graham urged. "I'll see you OF 1f
afterward. If you catch the o:3o