The diamond drill., 1921-02-26

With that last sentence. his mind
had stumbled and wandered of to
memories Of his nephew Brewster
Looking back from the vantage OF
fwenty-six years. Randolph caught.
for the first time, the full import Of
Asa Thornton's farewell words 10 him
and 10 life: "Dle with the credit"
They held the kernel OF the old mans
carefully measured amend.
Great old top" murniured Mr..
4andolph aloud. and half unconscious
" turned 70 the left at Forty-second
street. Five minutes later he was
raught In the maelstrom OF the
Thanksgiving crowd milling around
Times square
Presently he found himself on the
edge OF human sea. banked up 10
give passage TO a honking empty taxi
cab. Here was another question for a
suddenly inqulring mind. Where did
taxi-cabs. empty ones. go 20 In such a
hnrryf The door OF this one was
swinging open. and the proof OF how
intent the crowd was on IT'S myriad
individual goals Is evidenced by the
fact that a dozen voices did not in
form the driver that the season was
or for fans on wheels.
The cab was moving more slowly
than Mr.. Randolph's subconsclOus
mind, which led him 10 step into IL aud
quietly close the inviting door. Upon
seating himself. he tried TO analyze
the impulse that had lifted him from
the curb. He decided that II was not
so much the curiosity as 10 the destI-
nation OF empty cabs as a natural and
ancient dislike for being pushed and
elbowed by people.
II was not long before the cab un-
Willingly loaded for bear, drew up
with a final honk at the stage-door OF
the Crocodile. Immediately came a
rasping voice that was vaguely IA
mIliar TO Mr., Randolph.
WELL" II said. you sure took your
own time getting here" The driver.
expert I'm aggravatIng repartee with
qrt words. pressed the bulb of his
atrocious horn three times "Cut II
outw said the rasplng voice. There
isn't any hurry now"
II was Incredible. reasoned Mr.. Ran
dolph with himself. that anyone should
forget that voice once heard. and he
was right. He remembered II. II was
the voice Of Mr. Duke Beamer. whom
he had had the distinct pleasure Of
blackballing for one club in college
and three in town Mr. Beamer. 10 his
honest mind. was the best living ex-
ample OF animated slime in tailor
made clothes.
Mr. y. was not alone: Mr. Randolph
could just see his companion through
the slant Of the half-ralsed window
glass. and even that distorted glimpse
was very close 10 a vision. The girl
was young. beautiful. and troubled
Her cheeks were thin and pale her
parted lips aquiver: her chin was
atremble. OF course she was very
cheaply but neatly clothed
MAKE up your mind" said the rasp-
ing voice "Ride with me or walk the
streets by yourself and don't forget
that there's no Job behind you You've
said good-by TO that door for good"
The girls wan face went through
that contortion which says. Il won't
cry" and doesn't. thereby achieving q
pity beyond the need OF tears. The
axJivering OF her lips. the trembling oi
Rr chin grew more pronounced-only
10 steady down as she swept up strick.
en- and imploring eyes TO the face OF
the unseen man.
"Oh. Duke" she begged. promise
promise you'll be always good TO me-
"Of course. little one" said the raSp
ing voice. promptly and much relieved
promising lightly 10 pay on demand
in full for n soul delivered In advance
you'll never regret II. believe me-"
The girl tore her doubling eyes
from his face and stepped toward the
cab. Mr.. Randolph made himself ex
ceedlng small I'm the corner nearest
!. the curb. an unseen agent opened the
door: the girl slipped In and turned "a
seat herself: her escort made 10 follow
Then did Mr.. Randolph suddenly lean
forward and proceed TO push In the
face OF Mr. Beamer with his oper
hand and the full weight OF his shoui
der. That asfonlshed scion OF once
gentlemsnly house reeled backward
and sat down on the pavement ker
plunk.
MY, what q bumpl" spoke keen
young voice over Mr.. RandolDh't
shoulder. but he was too occupied q
take note OF Il at the time. HI
leaned far out 40 that the driver coull
get the FUN effect OF his modlsh top
h1t and spoke cryptic words
-Ten dollars worth Of the park 4
What he said
The driver welcomed the suddeI
apparition with friendly grin
honked denantiy three times ant
threw In the clutch. They were od
and trailing after them came such
string Of hiasphemous utternnccs q