Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-09-28
BOOK ONE
THE CALL OF THE BLOOD
CHAPTER !

Bruce was wakened by the sharp
ring Of his telephone bell. Instantly
he wns fully aroused, in complete con-
troll of all his faculties. And this Is
not especially common to men bred In
the security OF civilization. Rather
1t Is Il trait of the wild creatures; n
little matter that is quite necessary
II they care at all about living. From
tiersmen learn the trait, too; but as
Bruce was dweller OF cities 1t
seemed somewhat strange In him.
Then he grunted rebellIously and
glanced Mt his watch beneath the pill
low. He had gone to bed early; 1t
was just midnight now.
He had no doubts whatever concern
ing the nature Of this call. There had
been one hundred like 1t during the
previous month. His foster father had
recently died. his estate was being set
tied up. and Bruce had been having n
somewhat strenuous time with his
creditors. He understood the mans
real financial situation at last; at his
death the whole business structure
collapsed like the eggshell 1t was.
Bruce had supposed that most Of the
debts had been paid now: he Won
dered. as he fumbled INTO his bedroom
slippers, whether the thousand or so
dollars that were left would cover the
claim of the man who was now call
ing him to the telephone.
''This Is Mr.. Duncan" he said cold
ly into the transmItter.
"How do you do. Mr.. Duncan" a
voiG answered. pardon me If 1 got
you up. want to talk to your son.
Bruce"
Bruce emitted little gasp of
amazement. Whoever talked at the
end of the line obviously didn't know
that the elder Duncan was dead.
Bruce had moment of grim humor
In which he mused that this voice
would have done rather well II it
could arouse his foster father to an
swer 1t. ''The elder Mr.. Duncan died
last smonth," he answered simply.
There was not the slightest trace of
emotion in his tone. No wayfarer on
the street could have been, as far ~
facts went. more Of a stranger to him;
there was no sense Of loss ut his death
and no cause for pretense now. "This
Is Bruce speaking"
He heard the other gasp. "Old
man, I'm sorry" his cOntrite voice
came. 81 didn't know of your loss.
This is Barney-Barney Wegan-and
: Just got In from the West. Haven't
had a bit Of news for months. Accept
my earnest sympathies-"
Barney! OF course" The delight
grew on Bruce's face; for Barney We
gan. a man whom he Ind met and
his club, was quite near to being real
friend. "And what's up, Barney?"
The mans voice changed mt once
went back to Its same urgent. but
rather embarrassed tone. "You won't |
believe me II tell you, so l wont try
to tell you over the phone. But I
must come upright away. May II"
"Of COURSE"
"IIl be there In minute"
Bruce hung up. slowly descended to
his library. and flashed on the lights.
For the first time he was revealed
plainly. His was familiar type; but
at the same time the best type, too.
He had the face and the body Of an |
athlete, II man who keeps himself fit;
and there. was nothing mawklsh or ef-
terminate about him. 1t is true that
men did look twice Mt Bruce's eyes.
Sc, In brown, clean-cut face. never
lnuwing exactly why they did so.
they had startling potentialities.
They were quite clear now. wide
awake and. cool. yet they had
strange depth Of expression and
shadow that might mean. somewhere
benesth tie bland and cool exterior. a
capa .ty for great emotions and pug
sissW