Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1921-10-13

rfed man7v Y
sTr. Van Britt shook bis head.
"He had been married, but he and
his wife didn't live together. He had
no relatives here. j knew him in the
southwest two years ago. He'd had
domestic trouble OF some kind, and
didn't mix or mingle much with the
other men. But be was a good dis.
patcher. and two months ago. when
we bad an opening here. i sent for
him"
"You think there is no Doubt but
that he was bribed TO put those trains
together tonight?"
None In the least-only | wish We
had a little better proof OF IL"
"Wllere did he live? ~
"He boarded at Mrs. Chambers. out
on Cross street. Morris boards there,
too. / believe"
The boss turned TO me.
Jimmie. go and get Norris"
carried the call and brought Mora
ris back with me. He was a cheerful.
red-headed fellow. and everybody liked
him.
at isn't aAssweat-box' session. Mop
ris." said the boss. quietly. when we
came in and the relief operator sac
down. sort Of half scared. on the edgy
OF a chair. 1--WE want to know someN
thing more about Durgin. He roomed
at your place. didn't hep
Morris admitted IT, but said he'd
never been very chummy with the dis
patcher; that Durgin wasn't chummy
with anybody. Then the boss went
straight to the point. as he usually
did.
.You we're present and saw all fhat
happened In the other room. Can you
tell us anything about that money!"
pointing to the pile of bills on my
desk.
Billy Morris wriggled himself into
a little better ehair-hold. Nothing
that would be worth telling. II things
hadn't turned out just as they have"
he returned. but now | guess | knows
I left Mrs. Chambers this evening
about eleven O'Clock to come on duty,
and BurEfn was just afead Of me.
Some fellow-a man In a snuff-colored
overcoat and with a soft hat pulled
down so tharD couldn't see his face
stopped Durgin on the sidewalk. and
they talked together.
81 didn't hear what was said. but I SAW
the overcoated man pass something to
Durgln and saw Durgin put whatever IL
was into his pocket. Then the other
lodged and went. away, and did
II so quick that | didn't see which
way he went or what became of him.
Durgin must have run after he left
the corner. for didn't see anything
more of him until | got TO the Office
."He was there when you came ln?"
II was Mr.. Norcross who wanted 10
know.
Yes. He had his Goa of and was
at work on the train sheet Il don't
think Durgin left his chair, or said
anything TO anybody until he jumped
up and began to walk the floor. taking.
On and saying that he'd put Four and
Five together on the single track"
: There was silence for a little time.
and when the boss said. do you
.hink you would recognize the man
n the snuff-colored oyercoat. IL you
Ihould see him AGAIN." -
Eyes, i might; If he. had on the
anne coat and hat"
That will do. then. Keep this thing
o yourself. and If the newspaper peo&
lie come after you. send them 10 MI.
Britt or to me-"
After Morris had gone. Mr.. Van Britt
hook his head sort of savagely.
ITS HI. Grahnm!" he ripped out,
ouncing to his feet and beginning TO
up and down the room. TO
hink that these devils would take the
nance of numbering a lot OF totally -
ln0cent people TO gain their endi
What are you going to do about IT."
II don't know yet, Upton but l
m going to do something. This state
( affairs can't so on. The simplest
ling is for me TO throw up the job
nd let the Short Line drop back IntoF
H @FHt@Em H9f4sure that II
ouldn't save a good many lives In
he end If | should do Ii. And yet IL
such a cowardly thing to do
resign under fire.n
Mr.. Van Britt had his hand on the
1or-knob. and what he said made
e warm to my finger-tlps.
Were all standing by you, Ora
I'm all. you understandable the last
an n the last ditch. And you're
II going to pitch II up; you're go
6 TO stay until you have thrown The
into these hlgh-binders. clear
!, TO the h~itchings. That's my pro-
iecyZ The troubles over for tonighf.-
I'd you'd better 30 up TO the hotel
Id turn In. There is another day
ming. or If there isn't. It won't make
difference to any of US. Good
Iht."
s