Evening star., 1922-03-26

falls i'll and is at the point of death.
While he has been i'll much gold has
been found in the mine he examined,
and the stock which he considers
worthless is now valuable. OF this,
owing to his illness. he is ignorant.
One confidence man acts the part OF
the sick engineer and the other that
of broker who knows the engineer
possesses the stock but has no money
with which to purchase it from him.
For a share of the stock he offers to
tell the dupe where it and the engi-
neer can be found. They visit the
man, apparently at the point Of death.
and the dupe gives him money for his
stock. Later the dupe finds the stock
is worthless, and the supposed engi-
neer and the SUPPOSED broker divide
the money he paid for it. In telling
the story Ford pretended he was the
broker and that he thought in Ashton
he had found dupe who would buy
the stock from the sick engineer
AS the story unfolded and Ashton
appreciated the part Ford expected
him to play in it, amusement, joy,
chagrin and indignation illuminated
his countenance. His cigar ceased to
burn, and with his eyes opened wide
he regarded Ford in plying wonder.
wait" he commanded. He shook
his head uncomprehendingly. Tell
me-" he asked. do i look as easy as
that. or are you just naturally fool
ish?"
ford pretended. to fall into a state
Nof great alarm.
:, Il don't understand" he stammered.
"Why, son." exclaimed Ashton kind
ly,'.'1 was taught that, story in the
pubhc schools. I stopped using it be-
fore. Sou cut your teeth. See"' he ex-
claimed delightedly. Il knew I had
grown respectable-loekin but
didn't think was SO damned respect
able-lookng as that" He began to
laugh silently; SO greatly was he
amused that the tears shone in his
eyes and his shoulders shook.
~ X X Il
ssI'M sorry fof you. son.. he protest
l. ed, but thut's the funniest thing
that's come my way in two years. And
you buying me lighthouse grapes. too.
see your face" he t&unted.
Ford pretended to be greatly cha
grined.
"All right" he declared roughly.
The laughs on me this time, but just
because 1 lost one trick. don't think
/ don't know my business. Now that
I'm wise to what you aye we can
work together and"
The face of young Mr.. Ashton be-
came instantly grave. His jaws
snapped like trap. When he spoke
his tone was assured and slightly con-
temptuous.
said.
Don't think because 1 fell down on
this" Ford began hotly.
I'm not thinking of you at all''
said Ashton. You're a nice little fell
low all right. but you have sized me
up wrong. I am on the Straight and
narrow that leads back to little old
New York and Gods country, and I
am warranted not to run off my troll
ley"
The words were in the vernacular,
but the tone in which the young man
spoke rang SO confidently that it
brought to Ford a pleasant thrill of
satisfaction. From the first he had
found in the personality of the young
man something winning and likable;
shrewd manliness and tolerant
lgood-humor. His eyes may have shown
his sympathy. for. in sudden conf
dence. Ashton leaned nearer.
ITS like this" he said Several
years ago I made a bad break and,
about year later, they got on to me
and ! had to cut and run. In month
the law of limitation let's me loose
and / can go back. And you can bet
I'm going back. I will be on the
bowsprit of the first boat. I've had
an l want of the fugitive from jus
tice' game, thank you, and 1 have
taken good care to keep a clean bill
of health so that J won't have to play
it again. They've been trying to get
me for several years-espeeially the
Pinkertons. They have chased me all
over Europe. Chased me with all
kinds of men; sometimes with women
they've tried everything except blood
hounds. At first 1 thought you were
Pink that's why"
~" interrupted Ford, exploding de-
risively. That's good, That's one on
you" He ceased laughing and re-
garded Ashton kindly. How do you
know Pm not?" he asked.
For an instant the face of the book
maker grew a shade less red and his
eyes searched those of Ford in a quick
agony Of suspicion. Ford continued to
smile steadily at him, and Ashton
breathed with relief
! I'll take chance with you" he
said. "and if you are as bad a detec-
tive as you are a sport I needn't
worry"
They both laughed, and, with sud-
den mutual liking. each raised his
glass and nodded.
"PUT they haven't got me yet" con-
tinued Ashton. land unless they
get me in the next thirty days I'm
free. So you needn't think that I'll
/ help you. It's never again for nne.
The first time. that was the fault of
the crowd I ran with; the second
time, that would be my fault. And
| there amt going to be any second
time"
He shook his head doggedly, and
with squared shoulders leaned back
| in his chair.
IF it only breaks right for me-" he
declared, Til settle down in one of
i those town-y your own homes forty five
minutes from Broadway. and never
leave the wife and baby"
The words almost brought Ford to
his feet He had forpetten fha wife