Evening star., 1921-11-06

tone, that old guys phoney. I dom,
know what he's got to sell, but l be'
he makes it in dark room: I won
| der why he picked me out"t he look
! ed reflectively at his Toes, and re.
| membered the warning words OF
tO'Malley. "Gawsh! I wonder If he
saw my buttoned tans"
The further they rushed eastward
the more earnestly Brian hated his
shoes as a recognized badge Of Hick-
dom. He did not look up Mr.. McCosh
in car 3, but that thoughtful gentle
| man made occasion to sit down mex
to Brian in the buffet when the lat
ter was enjoying a solitary cigarette
They were approaching Chicago al
broad fingernails with pearl-handled
knife.
'Try one of my perfectos." he said
suddenly; Offering an ostentatious roll
Thanks: never smoke" responded
Brian, taking a fresh cigarette from
his box.
SAY. you're a cagey kid, all right.
laughed the big one, changing from
the grandiloquent to the vernacular
His eyes slanted and his weather
beaten mouth came down at one cor
ner. Whats your liner
I'm a dy-catcher."
'Haw-haw! You're a smart kid
anyhow. Now, look here. AS an en-
terprisin' young business man from
the west, launchin' out on LIES voy.
age with q fair young helpmeet, AND
awaitin' alert and joyous to hear the
welcome knock Of Opportunity al
who knocks but once-you are un-
spoiled, you are ambitious. too smart
to let the golden moment pass un.
needed. Ever thought Of investin
in mining stocks?"
SHOW me-" said Brian in q level
tone.
tended square of pasteboard-i am
general director of the Goodfellow
and Surprise Gold Lode Company, In.
corporated."
"Have your Joke" growled Mr.. Nc
Gosh. But the old must be patient
with the young. I want to talk to you
like an uncle. I want to put you .on
the ground floor in this unparalleled
proposition. a chance we only offer
our particular friends. I like your
face"
Mr.. McCosh's fat fingers deftly un-
folded a bale Of handsomely printed
papers engraved in rich orange, the
seal of Nevada at the head. an intri-
cate, wavy border down the margins
nc h1o q Sou'peA~ino p@Ain oa o%ao1e
knee.
I'm six months from now they'll pay
you twenty-five cents on the dollar
twenty-five per cent?"
Honest" said Brian, carefully fold
ing the stocks and handing them
ford makeup I've struck yet"
"How's that?" spluttered the big
excuse me, while I take a good
look at you. I thought they had all
the old-style con men stuffed and
under glass by this time. And to
think OF one of you whiskered dodos
line O. minin' stock fiuff that was
passed up by Adam and Eve. Say,
old man, I'm sorry for you. You make
me want to cry. Your childish stab
at dishonesty is saddern Uncle
Toms Cabin and twice as stale. Say.
what jay town are you going to work
with that line O. country-fair blk r
simple dignity. -
"What!" The word came like a
pistol shot. with that? Why. Uncle
Rufus, you've got no more show in
New York with that prehistoric
swindle than glass bead on 5th ave.
nue.. Honest, they teach better gratis
than that in the New York public
schools. Why don't you stick to st.
10, uncle. where the grass Is long and
the grazing good?"
The face Of the honest Mr., McCosh
suddenly settled into tragic lines.
IF I'd "a known you was one of
u.s." he began sadly. He made the
sign Of Three Walnuts between his
thumb and fingers. III I'd known
you was in our line o.. goods, I'd
never come that con on; you. But.
since you mention st. 10, TIL put you
circuits worked dry. had to borrow
from tha constable to get out of EN-