The Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1919-current, 1920-09-24

debtor. Shirley, can you stand some
plain speaking-between friends,
mean?'
~ think so. Mr.. Cardigan"
swell. then" said Bryce "listen to
this: | am your uncle's enemy until
death do us part Neither he nor I
expect to ask or TO give quarter, and
I'm going to smash him II I can"
IF you do, you smash me-" she
warned him.
Likewise our friendship. I'm sorry.
hut It's got to he done II can do Il.
Shall-shnll we say good-by, Shirley
"Yes-s-s!" There was a break In
her voice. "Good-by, Mr.. Cardigan.
wanted to know"
"Good-by! Well, that's cutting the
mustard" he murmured sOtt0 voce.
land there goes another bright day
dream" Unknown to himself, he
spoke directly into the transmItter
end Shirley, cling'ng half hopefully to
the receiver at the other end Of the
wire. heard him-caught every Infiec.
ton Of the words, commonplace
enough. hut freIghted with the pathos
Of Bryce's first real tragedy.
"0h, Bryce" she cried sharply. But
he did not hear her; ne had hung up
his receiver now.
The week that ensued was remarka.
BILE for the amount of work Bryce ac.
cOmplished In the investigation of his
fathers affalrs--also for visit from
Donald McTavish, the woods-bOss.
Hello. McTavlsh," Bryce saluted
the wOods-boss cheerfully and extend.
ed his hand for cordial greeting. His
wnvward employee stood up. took the
proffered hand In both of his huge and
callous ones, and held 1t rather child
lshly.
"Weel! IT'S the wee laddip hissel.'
he doomed. I'm glad to see We. boy
You'd have seen me the day before
yesterday-if you had been seeable. ;
Bryce reminded him with brlgh,
smile. mac. old man. they tell me
you've gotten to be a regular go-to
hell"
I'M nae deny ! take wee drapple
now an then" the woods-boss admit
ted frankly, albeit there was a har
rleh, hangdog look in his eyes.
"Mac, did MORA give you my mes
sage?"
AYE"
"Well. I guess we understand eacl
other. Mac Was there something
else you wanted to see me about?"
McTavish sidled up to the desk
"Ye'll no be firin' auld Mac DOT o
hand" he pleaded hopefully. mon
ha We the heart to do it-after a. these
yearsT
Bryce nodded. III yon have III,
heart-after all these years-tO draw
pay you do not earn. then have tho
heart to put better man In YOU
place. It's no good arguing, Mac
You're off the pay roll onto the pen
sion roll--your shanty in the woods
your meals at the camp kitchen, YOU
clothing and tobacco that | send ou
TO you. Neither more nor less!"
"Who will We !it In ma placer"
~ don't know. However, II won
he difficult task to find a better maj
than you"
"Iil nae let him work" McTavish',
voice deepened to a growl.
"You worked that racket on my IN
Their. Try II on me, and you'll answer
o me-personally. Lay the weight o.
your finger on your successor, Mac
and you'll die In the >0unty poor farm
No threats, old man! You know thu
Cardignns they never bluff."
McTnvish's glance met the youthful
masters for several seconds: then tn,
woods boss trembled. and his gaz,
sought the office floor. Bryce knew
he had his man whipped at last. an,
McTnvish realized II. too. for quit,
suddenly he burst into tears.
"Dinna fire me, lad" he pleaded
an gae back on the Job an leav,
whusky alone"
Nothing doing. Mac. Leave whisk,
alone for year and I'll dIscharg,
your successor to give yon hack you
Job. For the present. however, m!
verdict stands. You're discharged"
"Who kens the Cardigan woods n.
ken them?" McTavish blubbere,l
who'll fell trees WI the least amour
o. breakage? Who'll get the work gu
o. the men' who'll Ye dlnna meal
II. lad. Ye Gamma mean H."
ION your way, Mac. loathe argu
ments."
IL maun see yer father ABBOTT this
He'll nae stand for sic treatment o
an nuld employee"
Bryce's temper i'ared up. "Yo,
keen away from my father. You'v,
worried HIN enough In the past, yo,
drunkurd. II you ~ up TO the hous,
To annoy my father with your plead
lngs, McTavish. I'll manhandle you.
lie glanced ut his watch. "The mex
train leaves for the woods In twent,
minutes. Ii you do not 70 back on |
and behave yourself, YOU can neve
20 back TO Cardigan woods"
II will me take charity from an,
man." Mcravish Numbered. "rll ma,
bother the owe man, an I'll nae &,
back TO yon woods to live on We
bounty. was never man to tax,
charity" he roared furlously. and lef
the office, Bryce 'illed after him
cheerful goodbye, hut he did not nm
swer And he did not remain In town
neither did he return 20 his shnnt,
In the woods. For month his where
abouts remained mystery; then on,
day Molra received n letter from hin
Informing her TINT he had q Job knee
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