Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-27

a NO!VEL-
m toontinued,
BY NINA WILCOX T N

CHATTER M (Conttnued)
This was not an encouraging open
ing, but Adam, more anxious to. sell
than to discuss the vicissitudes Of
life, came to the point atjonce.
Where is the proprietor then ~ he
asked. 80 S& $3.50 = Is : a. y
God knows!s"ssaid the man. Down
in Wall street somewhere. probsly, a.
smokin' Of a dollar cigar"
Adam made q little gesture Of i'm
patience, but could not restrain a
slight smile at the mans whimsicality.
ground" he explained. II mean the
junk-dealer."
ooh. him!' said the man. showing
a-gleam OF interest. why that's me-"
Well, you're the man I'want them"
said Adam. what the deuce made
you think I wanted anyone elseT'
WELL" said the <junk-dealer. II
thot mebbe You was one of them real
estate fellers. They come around q
good deal, but it don't help .em any.
Place amt for sale."
I'm not a real-estats man" aid
Adam.
mo, I can see now that you're .
gentleman said the other with the
ghost Of a smile. What was it you
wanted? I"
well. you see it's this way" Adam
began, seating himself on the rail and
taking out his cigarettes, which he
passed to the other. He was beginning
to like this dry old fellow. you see
it's this way. I have a hand-organ out
III there. First-class instrument, al
most as good as new In perfect tune,
plays all the latest songs and dance
music. Cymbal-and-drum> attachment
inside. Light and easy to pull. Freshly
vanished er-box-wood, I should say
mot to mention two lamps on the
front and an obviously hand-painted
picture Of a lady dancing the tur-ra-
lura or something"
Fine machine" said the man la
conically. What else?"
rSounds So" the man replied.
sell it to you, Of course" grinned
Adam, lighting. his cigarette. What
do you think I've been talking it up
like that for?"
The junk-man nodded slowly.
II see!". said he. \ You're one Of
these college-fraternity boys, and
you've been playin' the thing as in
of it." -
Adam nearly put the lighted end Of
the cigarette in his. mouth as he look
ed at the old man reproachfully.
EFT tu! Brute!' said he sadly. Then
he leaned over in a confidential man
ner.
Look here" said he. I'm going to
conf1de in. you. You look like a sym
pathetic soul and I'm going to tell
you the truth. Beside, I'm getting dead
tired of this college-day idea. I'm a
man grown, and 1 don't care who
knows it. Yale, II, as a matter Of
fact. And consequently I am not be-
ing hazed. That piano-organ repre-
my sole worldly possession.
Never mind how I came by 1t, except
that / bought It honestly for more
at least I guess I was. I'm not sure
yet. But I do know that I was not
built for an organ-grinder's career.
I've got to realize on it. Now I offer
it to you for sale. An exceptional OPP
portunity. Any reasonable offer con-
sidered."
He sat back with that, and waited.
the talk, as though the suggestion of
becoming owner Of the machine in
question was one which appealed to
him greatly. Butsin the endsEf It cloud
ed again, and he shook his head sad
ly.
Say: young Teller. is> that the
TRUTH" he said. Are you sure you
a place to get rid of TT"
Adam stared at him and laughed.
"Word Of honor that 1 told you the
said he.
"All right!' the junk-man replied.
II believe yer. And since we're a-tellin'
the truth (Which don't very often
happen) I'll let o on to the fact
that I want that there lp~iano-organ
of yours morn I've wanted anything
in years." -.
Good" cried Adam. +Then come
out and IA what you will give for it,"
But the junk-man only shook his
head again. size
I'm real sorry you didn't steal it,"
said he, for then you would a. left it.
the fact.is, I amt got no money"
do No No, m meae," Eaid Adam. What
Just that" replied the tunk-man
drylys You oughter know how It feels,
from what you've been tellin' me-"
There was a pause during which
Adam lit another cigarette. Then he
arose slowly.
IF that's the case" said he, IT may
as well be going. Can o tell me
where I can find another dealer?"
The man arose. too, at this, with a
gesture almost Of alarm. ~
There amt one anywheres around
here, that ], know Of" said he hastily.
Don't go off yet. No, I weren't fool
ing about having no money. It's God
truth. Nor I wasn't foolin' about want
the organ Are you real down and
out, or was you foolin'?"
Adam paused in some surprise.
caught by the eager earnestneSs of the
fellows tone.
mo, ]. told you before, I wasn't ly-
ing" he said.
Then don't hurry off," said the
dealer. If you're real down and out,
where are you going to sleep tonight %
The question gave Adam pause.
Where was he to sleep? He had not
and nov that he did, the answer was
a mystery. Humble himself before
Monroe? Before some OF his friends?
wholesome day in the open had
made n idea . more than ever
repellent. No, he would new do that!
Yet where was he to sleep? He began
to realize that he had not been to bed
the night before. and that, despite his
perfect health and strength, he was
deadly tired. Already the sun was
sinking toward the Palisades, soften
ing to a pink glow that would tint
the long twilight. The question >of
lodging must be settled soon. He look
ed inQuirfngly. into the face Of the
older man. surprised to see the kind
truthfully. Il don't know where I am
to sleep tonightl',
We'll" aid the junk-dealer. IT got
an extry bed here. It's clean. II you
amt above II, you can sleep IN IT,"
For q moment Adam stared st him
,.open-mouthed. Then he remembered