Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-23

II really don't know what to make Of
YOU"
You might make me q friend"
20, that! I shouldn't be chatting to you
in this manner il I hadn't already accepted
you as a friend. But I'll always be a little
afraid to shake hands with you"
And III always be a little afraid, too
that l might act upon your suggestion"
She CAV a startled laugh. turned, and ran
back to her room.
AS she vanished Bancroft whispered to the
empty spaces Of the hall: "Come on. Dragon:
come on!" IA. "
Bancroft stopped at Johnson's desk. '
"How did you like the show last night?"
A touch Of color flowed into Johnson's sal.
low cheeks. Young man, II she is half as
dangerous as she is attractive, I have some
fears for your future. I don't suppose it
would be Of any use to warn you?" IS
\ Not the least use. But always remem.
Der, Miss Bowman doesn't know that / have
any money"
do you mean to tell US, young man. thai
she went away without inquiring the name
of her involuntary host? A shrewd. clever
young woman like that?"
Its the truth" ., ~.
"Well, well; my advice to your fathers son
is to trust not too fully in your pinfeathers.
What's to prevent her writing to the post
master and describing the house,"
II hadn't thought Of that. But I don't
think she will, however," He offered his
hand. ra
"I.only went there" said johnson. taking
the full warm hand in his dry one. " because
OF my consideration for you, sir" l&%4
81 know it. Is Mr.. Smell in?" a.
Yes. sir" =
Smell greeted Bancroft cheerfully. is the
pup rescued?" =
Yes" Bancroft sat down at the side Of
the desk. ".
"Mr Johnson tells me he saw the young
lady last night"
And has indirectly pointed out the road
to hell. You understand, don't you? I am
young, Mr.. Smell. For the first time I am
free. I. can't sit here and count and re.
count my fathers money. I am doubly free.
for as yet no one in that house suspects I
have these millions. I am to all appear.
ances in modern circumstances" F."
81 was just chatting you. boy. You've got
to grow, and while you're growing you've got
to burn your fingers on stoves and bark your
shins against chairs in the dark. All the
warnings in the world would not stop you.
and l would not have you stopped"
There was a pause.
Mr.. Smell, I've got something here I want
SOu I Acduv o<O ~ ~ is "oloSu II6uI. 1
slnan't listen to any arguments about it.
Something that I've got to do"
Let me see the paper" When Smell had
read it through, he cried: Young man.
what the devil does this mean?"
Exactly what it says there, that anything
I sign hereafter outside OF this office, will
be due to moral or physical coercion"
Are you thinking of signing some doc,i.
ment? Bring it here. where 1t belongs" Z
That it; l can't bring it here"
"Well, then, don't sign it." #-.As.@ ia.
:" But l must" ,As
"a woman?" 80
mo, no! But will such a document as
I've given you hold? What I am about to
sign, circumstance is forcing me TO sign.
Nothing can dissuade me. Mr.. Smell. II you
won't take charge of this, I'll have to trust
to strange lawyers"
Its debatable whether It. will hold o.
not: but this Arm can back you in court.
and my testimony would have weight. What.
in. heavens name. boy, are you intending to
sign ?"
II can't tell you"
Does it concern your father?"
Il don't know but I suspect 1t does. I'm
in the dark. the same as you are"
Something you've discovered that touches
Johnson's taller II a
II haven't discovered anything: I only
hope TO-"
"Well, I'm inker.damned! You'll sign. this
document. whether ! protest or not?".
Yes. sir" Bancroft began to show signs
Of WEAKNESS. e5 fa'#%
very well. I'll have this typed and wit.
nessed."''s t$t
II shall want a copy X
THAT; too. II you are determined, why.
there's nothing but a wise old mans advice.
When you've signed this damfool thing. bring
1t to me-" n
II can't do even that, sir. Because on the
face of it.tit Is a damfool thing"
Smell pushed. q button. and to the clerk
who answered the call he said: !" Have this
typed twice and return to witness them.
And no comments. Bring the notary seal"
Yes sir. Z
After. Bancroft had carefully put his copy
Of. the astonishing document into his wallet.
he heIdfout his hand 70 Smell
" It sounds and looks crazy; ] know; but
I've got toflave 1t settled. one way Or an
other, for peace OF mind. I'll tell you this
much. It's only an instinct. and ! don't
believe I've voiced the notion 70 myself.
I feel that there 10 in this world q man who
hated my father bitterly, terribly; and Tvs
got to find out why. If my father. was the
honest man you say he was
I" He was ne honestest, man I knew"
:" You see.fthen. I've got to COON"