The Lamar register., 1918-01-30

"EImm-mm-a human being, l hope,
Miss Macdonald, as well as a mere
cattleman."
Marthy did not attempt to rise when
Seabeck followed Billy Louise into the
sitting room. She caught up her apron
and wiped her eyes. After that she
faced Seabeck with harsh composure
and waited for the settlement.
"Hmm-mmi have been looking
over the cattle" he began, sitting on
the edge OF u chair and turning his
black hat absently round and round by
the brim. "You-mm-mm-you tell
me there were seven head of grown
stock"
THAT they shot and throwed in the
river, with the brands cut out" inter
polated Marthy stolidly. Il heard 'em
say that's how they would git rid OF
'em. an heard 'em shootin' down
there"
"Hmm-mm-yes! Do you know just
what"
Five dry cows n two steers-lons
two-year-oles. l lodged 'em to be-"
Marthy was certainly prompt enough
and explicit enough. And her lips were
grim, and her faded blue eyes hard
and steady upon the face of Seabeck.
"Hmm-mm-yes / find also" he
went on In his somewhat precise voice
that had earned him the nickname of
Deacon" among his punchers. that
there are more young stock vented and
rebranded than Ter sold your
nephew. Fourteen head. to be exact.
With the cattle you tell me which
were-mm-m-dIspos OF last night.
that would make twenty-one head Of
stock for which-mm-mm-I take It
you are willing to pay"
II amt got the money now" Marthy
stated, too apathetic to be either de-
liant or placating. you en- fix up the
papers T. suit yourself. I'll sign any
thing yuh want"
"Hmm-mm-yes! A note covering
the amount. with legal rate of Interest.
will be-Quite satisfactory. Mrs. Nell
Ike. shall make lump sum ut the
going price for mixed stock. II you
have blank note, l."
"You kin look In that desk over
there" permitted Marthy. IF yuh don't
nnd any there. there amt none no
where"
Seabeck did not find any blank notes.
He found an eloquent confusion of
jumbled letters and accounts and pa
pers. and guessed that the owner had
done some hasty sorting and straight
ening Of his affairs. He sighed, and
his blue eyes hardened for u minute.
Then Billy Louise moved from the door
nd MAR En-. afsr OlN
beside Marthy. and Seabeck looked at
the two and sighed again. though his
eyes were no longer stern. He
pulled a sheet Of paper toward him
and wrote steadily In a prlm. upright
chlrography that had never u flourish
anywhere. but carefully crossed is and
carefully dotted rs and punctuation
marks Of beautiful exactness.
you will pleace sign here, Mrs.
Meilke." he said calmly, coming over
TO them with the sheet OF paper laid
smoothly upon a last-year's best-seller
and with Charles fountain pen In his
other hand. "And II Miss Macdonald
will also sign, as an indorser, | think
l can safely do away with any mort
gage or other legal security"
Billy Louise stood up and gave him
one look-which Seabeck did not APP
preciate. because he did not see 1t.
I'D ruther give mortgage" Marthy
said uneasily. sitting up suddenly and
looking from one to the other. Il don't
want Billy Louise to git tangled up in
my troubles. She's got plenty OF her
own. Her maw's just died, Mr.. Sea.
beck. And I'll bet there was a hos
pital n doctors bill bigger'n this cat
tie note. TO be paid. / don't want tn
pile on"
"Now. Marthy. you be still. I'm per-
fectly willing to sign this note with
you. II 1t will satisfy Mr.. Seabeck,
I'm sure it's the very best we can do
or-expect." Billy Louise, bless her
heart, was trying very hard to be CRATE
full to Seabeck in spite of the slump
he had suffered in her estimation.
swell, I'll want your written word
that yuh won't prosecute Charlie nor
help nobody else prosecute him." stipu-
lated Marthy. with sudden shrewdness.
IF men Billy Louise signs this note,
wen pay 1t; and We want some per
lection from you, fer Charlie"
"Hmmm-mm-I seel" He turned and
went hack TO the Uttered desk and