The Dolores star., 1921-09-30

don't you ring for an officer and have
him run in?'
The night clerk was evidently scared
OF his Job. II wouldn't dare to DO
that" he chittered. Hes one of the
New York crowd-the railroad peo-
pie - President Dunton's nephew -
guest Of the house.
The young fellow had pulled HIM
self around to our side Of the counter
b.. this time and was hooking his arm
to make n pass at Mr.. Norcross, trim
ming things up as he came with a lot
more language. The boss said. right
short and sharp. TO the clerk. det
his room key and give II to boy VINO
can show me the way" and the next
thing we knew he had Dashed that
lunatic square In the face and was
cutting him along TO the nearest eleva-
tor.
He came back in few minutes.
looking as cool ms cucumber.
what did you do with himf asked
the clerk, kind of awed and half
scared.
Got a couple Of the corridor sweep
ers to put him in n bath and turn the
cold water on him. Thatll take the
whisky out of him. Now, II you have
a minute to spare, I'd like to get my
assignment"
We hadn't more than got our rooms
marked Off for us when / saw Mr..
al, tho
farther of the three elevators. He was
smiling sort Of grim, us II he'd made
n killing OF some sort with Mr.. Dun
ton, and instead Of heading back for
his car he took the boss over TO
corner of the lobby and sat down to
smoke with him.
They didn't seem to be talking any
thing private, so ! sat down just be-
yond them so sleepy that l could
hardly see straight Mr.. Chadwick was
telling about his early experiences in
Portal City. how he blew in first on
top Of the Strathcona gold BOOM and
how he had known mighty near every.
body in the region in those days.
While he was talking. taxi drove
up and one of the old residenters came
In from the street and crossed TO the
elevators; n mighty handsome, stately
taches and n goatee, and Southern
Colonel" written all over him.
There's one of them now; Major
Basil Kendrlck-Kentucky born and
raised, as you might guess" Mr.. Chad.
wick was saying.
l grabbed Mt the name, BASIL" right
away: 1t isn't such very common
name, and Mrs. Sheila had said some
thing-under the water tank. you rec
ollect-about Cousin Basil" who
was to have met her at the train.
was putting two or three little private
guesses of my own together, when one
of the elevators came down and here
came our two, the young lady and
the chunky little girl, with the major
chuckling and smiling and giving an
arm to each. They had apparently
stopped at the Bullard only to wait
until he could come after them and
take them home.
saw the boss sit up In his chair
and stare at them. Then he said.
That's Mrs. Macrae with him now.
Is she member of his family?"
"A second cousin. or something of
that sort" said Mr.. Chadwick. 81 met
her once at the majors house out in
the northern suburb last summer"
Mr. Norcross let the three of them
get out and away, and we heard their
taxi speed up and trundle off before
he said, "She is married, I'm told
Where is her husband?
MIR. Chadwick looked up as II he'd
already forgotten the three who had
just crossed the lobby.
Who-Sheila Macrae? Yes. she
has been married. But there isn't any
husband-she's widow"
For quite while the boss sat stor.
Ing at his cigar in way he has when
ne Is thinking right hard and Mr..
chadwick let him alone. Then. all of
sudden. the boss got up and showed
mis- hands into his coat pockets.
I've changed my mind, Uncle John"
ne said, looking sort of absent-Ike ont
OF the window to where the majors
TAXI had been standing. "If Won can
pun me into that deal tomorrow NOR.
nihg-with an absolutely free hand to
90 as think best, mind you-Tll tnke
the job"
CHAPTER III