The Meeker herald., 1922-05-06
CHAPTER xx-censnu.d.

~
The young man disappeared through
the door Of the private once and soon
returned and conducted Samson into
the presence Of Mr.. Davis. Tho two
uen recognized each other.
"Well, sir. what 10 It aboutr' the
young Spectator demanded.
The daughter Of my old friend.
Jack Kelso. owes you some money and
want to pay It." said Samson.
"Oh. that IL q matter between Miss
Kelso and me-" Mr.. Davis spoke 20
lItely and with q smile.
mot exactly-since knew about
It." Samson answered.
Il refuse to discuss her Affairs with
you," Davis declared.
II suppose you mistrust me- said
Samson. swell, I've offered to pay
you and I'm going to make 1t plain to
them that they don't have to worry
any more about the money you loaned
them"
every well. bid you socf morn
Ing"
Don't be in q hurry" Samson an
swered. Il have q note Of I'VE thou
sand dollars against you. It Il In
dorsed to me by Henry Brimstead and
I want to collect It"
II refuse to pay it." Davis promptly
answered.
Then I shall have to put It In the
hands Of q lawyer" said Samson.
"Put 1t where you like but don't
-
"But you'll have to hear me say that
I don't think you're honest"
Il have heard you," Davis answered
calmly.
Samson withdrew and went to the
home Of Mrs. Kelso. He found her
with Bins boy in her lap-a hand
some little lad. then q bit over two
years old-at the house on La Sale
street. Samson told Of the failure Of
Bins letter to reach him and Of his
offer to return the money which Da-
Wis had paid for their relief.
II don't like the man and I don't
want you to be under obligation to
him." said Samson. '.The story OF
Harry's death was false and think
that he Is responsible for 1t. He
wanted her to marry him right away
after that-of course. And she went
to the plague settlement to avoid mar
rage. I know her better than you do.
She has read him right. Her soul has
looked into his soul and 1t keeps her
away from him."
But Mrs. Kelso could believe no
evil Of her benefactor. nor would she
promise tn cease depending on his
bounty.
Samson was a little dlsheartened BY
the visit. He went to see John Went
worth, the editor Of the Democrat, Of
whose extreme length Mr.. Lincoln had
hup,orously spoken In his presence.
Tho young New Highlander was seven
feet tall. He welcomed the broad
shouldered man from Sangamon coun-
~ and began ut once to question him
about Honest Abe and "steve" Doug
las and Q. H. Browning and e. ID. Ba-
ker and all the able men of the middle
counties. At the first opportunity
Samson came to the business Of his
call-the mischievous lie regarding
Harry's death which had appeared in
the Democrat. Mr.. Wentworth went
to the proofroom and found the manu-
script Of the article.
Samson told of the evil It had
wrought and conveyed his suspicious
to the editor.
Davis is rather interruptions" said
Wentworth. 1--WE know 4 lot about
him in this Office"
Samson looked at the article and
presently said: Here Is 4 note that
ne gave to a friend Of mine. It looks
to me as If the note and the article
were written by the same hand"
Mr.. Wentworth compared the two
and said. "You are right. The same
person wrote them. But. It was not
Davis"
When Samson left the ONCE Of the
Democrat he had accomplished little
save the confirmation Of his sus-
picions. There YVES nothing he could
DO about 1t.
He went to Ell Fredenbers. -what
has Davis done to your Samson
asked, recalling where hs had met Ell
that morning.
Ell explained that he had borrowed
money from Davis to tide him over the
hard times and was paying II per
cent for 1t.
IBIS morning ! get dot letter from
his secretary" he said as he passed
. letter to Samson.
1t was demand for payment In
the handwriting Of the Brimstead note
and had some effect on this little his
tory. It conveyed definite knowledge
Of the authorship Of \ malicious false
hood. 1t aroused the anger and sym
patty Of Samson Traylor. In the con-
ditions then prevailing Ell was I'M
able to get the money. He was in
danger Of losing his business. Sam
son spent the day investigating the
ehafrs Of the merchant. His banker
and others spoke well Of him. He was
said to be man Of character and