The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-07-22


Just as they entered the house, the
telephone in the hall tlnkled. and
Bryce answered.
"Mr. Cardigan" came Shirley Sum-
ner's voice over the wire.
Bryce" he corrected her.
She ignored the correction.
IL don't know what TO say to
YOU" she faltered. 81 rang up to tell
you how splendid and heroic your ac-
tion was"
~ had my own life to save. Shirley"
"You did not think Of that at the
time"
'Well-I didn't think Of your uncle's,
either" he replied without enthusiasm
"I'm sure we never can hope to
catch even with you. Mr.. Cardigan"
Don't try. Your revered relative
Will not; SO why should you?"
"You are making it somewhat hard
for me toto rehabilltate our friend
ship. Mr.. Cardigan"
"Bless your heart" he murmured.
THE very fact that you bothered to
ring me up Mt all makes me your
debtor. Shirley, can you stand some
plain speaklng-between friends,
mean?"
81 think so, Mr.. Cardigan"
"Well. then" said Bryce. "llsten to
this: ! am your uncle's enemy until
death do us part. Neither he nor
expect to ask or to give quarter. and
I'm going to smash him II ] can"
"lf you do, you smash me-" she
warned him.
Likewise our friendship. I'm sorry.
hut It's got to be done II can do It.
Shall-shall we say good-by, Shlrley?"
"Yes-s-s!" There was break In
her voice. "Good-by, Mr.. Cardigan. I
wanted to know"
"Good-byi Well. that's cutting the
mustard" he murmured sotto voce.
"and there goes another bright day
dream" Unknown to himself. he
spoke directly into the transmitter.
and Shirley, cllnging half hopefully to
the receiver Mt the other end of the
wire, heard him-caught every inflec-
tion of the words. commonplace
enough, but freighted with the pathos
of Bryce's first real tragedy.
"Oh, Bryce" she cried sharply. But
he did not hear her; he had hung up
his receiver now.
The week that ensued was remarka-
BILE for the amount of work Bryce ac-
compllshed in the investigation Of his
fathers affairs-also for visit from
Donald McTavish, the woods-boss.
Hello. McTaviSh," Bryce saluted
the wOods-boss cheerfully and extend
ed his hand for a cordial greeting. His
wayward employee stood up took the
proffered hand In both of his huge and
callous ones. and held II rather child
ishly.
"Weel 'Tis the wee laddie hissel'."
he boomed. I'm glad to see We, boy"
You'd have seen me the day before
yesterday-if you had been seenble."
Bryce reminded him with bright
smile. Mac, old man, they tell me
you've gotten to be regular go-to-
hell"
"Pll nae deny take wee drappie
now an then" the woods-boss admit
ted frankly, albeit there was a har-
ried. hangdog look In his eyes.
"Miac, did MORA give you my mes
sage?"
"Aye."
well ] guess we understand each
other, Mac. Was there something
else you wanted TO see me about?"
McTavlsh sidled up TO the desk.
"Ye'll no be firln' auld Mac DOT o.
hand?" he pleaded hopefully. "Mon,
ha ye the henrt 10 do it--after a. these
yenrs?"
Bryce nodded. "If you have the
heart-after all these years-to draw
pay you do not earn. then | have the
heart to put better man In your
place. It's no good arguing. Mac.
You're of the pay roll onto the pen
sion roll-your shanty In the woods.
your meals Mt the camp kitchen, your
clothing and tobacco that | send out
TO you. Neither more nor less!''
"Who will We pit In ma placer"
II don't know. However, II won't
be difficult task TO find a better man
than YOU"
"I1l nae let him work" McTavish's
voice deepened to a growl.
You worked that racket on my fa-
ther. Try II on me. and you'll answer
o me-personally. Lay the weight Of
your finger on your successor, Mac,
and you'll die In the county poor farm.
No threats. old man! You know the
CardIgans; they never BLUM"
McTavlsh's glance met the youthful
masters for several seconds; then the
woods boss trembled. and his gaze
sought the office floor Bryce knew
he had his man whipped at last. and
McTavish realized It. too. for quite
suddenly he burst into tears.
"Dinna fire me, lad" he pleaded.
"l'll gae back on the Job an leave
whusky alone"
"Nothing doing. Mac. Leave whisky
alone for year and I'll discharge
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