The Glenwood post., 1919-06-21

may come, however, ana Ill mop lnuO
my seven-league boots before You can
utter Jack Robinson's Christian name
Good night, Mrs. Van Dyke. 1 have
you all to thank for a most delightful
evening""
The car was waiting at the back Of
the house. ODowd walked out With
Barnes, their arms linked-as on for
mer occasion, Barnes recalled.
"Pll ride out to the gate with you,"
said the Irishman. "It's a winding.
devious route the road takes through
the trees"
They came in time, after many "hair
pins" and right angles, to the gate
opening upon the highway. Peter got
down from the seat to release the pad
locked chain and throw open the gate.
ODowd leaned closer to Barnes and
lowered his voice.
"See here, Barnes, I'm no fool, and
for that reason I've got sense enough
to know that you're not either.
don't know what's in your mind, nor
what you're trying to get into 1t If 1t
isn't already there. But I'll say this to
you, man to man: Don't let your
imagination get the better Of your
common sense. That's all. Take the
| tip from me-"
"T am not imagining anything,
O'Dowd," said Barnes quietly. What
do you mean?"
II mean just what 1 say. I'm giving
you the tip for selfish reasons. If you
/; make bally fool of yourself I'll have
to see you through the worst Of it
and it's job don't relish. Ponder
that, will We, on the way homer"
Barnes did ponder 1t on the way
home. There was but one construc-
tion to put upon the remark: 1t was
ODowd's way of letting him know
that he could be depended upon for
support II the worst came to pass.
O'Dowd evidently had not been de-
ceived by the acting that masked the
conversation on the couch. he knew
that Miss Cameron had appealed to
Barnes, and that the latter had prom
ised to do everything in his power to
help her.
Suspecting that this was the situ-
alton, and doubtless sacrificing his own
private interests, he had uttered the
vague but timely warning to Barnes.
The significance Of this warning grew
under reflection. Barnes was not slow
to appreciate the position in which
O'Dowd Voluntarily placed himself. A
word or sign from him would be suf-
ficient to bring disaster upon the Irish
man who had risked his own safety in
few irretrievable words. The more
he thought of It, the more fully con-
vinced was he that there was nothing
to fear from O'Dowd.
Peter drove slowly, carefully over
the road down the mountain. Respond
ing to sudden impulse, Barnes low
cred one of the side seats in the tom
neau and moved closer to the driver.
"How long have you been driving
for Mr.. Curtis?"
Ever since he come up here, more'n
two years ago. Guess I'm going to get
the G. B. fore long, though. Seems
that he's gettin' new car an wants
an expert machinist to take hold Of 1t
from the start. I was good enough
to fiddle around with this secondhand
pile O. junk an the one he had last
year, but I amt qualified to handle
this here machine he's expectin', SO he
says. l guess they's been some influ-
ence used against me, II the truth was
known. This new sec'etary he's got
CANT stummick me-"
"Why don't you see Mr.. Curtis and
demand"
"See him?" snorted Peter. might
as well try to see Napoleon BOnyparte.
Didn't you know he was sick mani"
"Certainly. But he isn't so Ill that
he can't attend to business. is he?"
"He sure Is. Parylised, they say"
"What has Mr.. Loeb against you, II
may ask7"
"Well, it's like this. amt In the
habit o. beln' ordered aroun' as If I
was jest nobody at all, so when he
starts in to cuss me about somethin'
week or so ago, ups and tells him
I'll smash his head II he don't take it
back. He takes it back all right, but
the first thing I know l get call
down from Mrs. Collier. Course
couldn't tell her what told the
sheeny, seein' as she's female, so
took it like lamb. Then they gifts
feller up here to wash the car Ny
gosh, mister, the burned ole rattle-trap
amt wuth bucket o. water all told.
So sends word in to Mr.. Curtis that
If she has to be washed, I'll wash her.
Then's when / hears about the new
car. Next day Mrs. Collier sends fer
me an 1 go in. She says she guesses
she'll try the new washer on the new
machine when it comes, nm If keer to
stay on as washer in his place she'll
be glad to have me. / says I'd like to
have word with Mr.. Curtis, IL she
don't mind, an she says Mr.. Curtis
amt able to see no one. So guess
I'm goin' to be let out"
An idea was taking root In Barnes