The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-09-28
CHAPTER "


--anger's pipes are known all over
the world. Buy a pipe-clay, Gala.
bash, meerschaum, brier-root or what
not, and in whatever part Of the
globe-and the chances are ten to one
that, Ranger & Co., Makers" will be
found stamped on it.
The factory and salesrooms occupy
a block on Seventh Ave, near -Four
teenth St, and there. as a matter OF
in the attempt to win some surcease
from anxiety by absorbing himself in
the accustomed routine.
So ready was he to listen to every
wild story or suggestion offered him
that it had been found necessary to
post guards before his office door to
protect him from the invasion of
cranks and imposters.
Thus, one morning, Number One of
the Gordon peremptorily halted a call
er who had attempted to stroll by him,
and VINO now. with too much assur-
ance to be pleasing said that he
wished to see Ranger"
The off-hand manner, as we'll as
the lack of the prefix of Mister" an
noyed the guard. Neither did he find
the strangers appearance progresses
ing. Dark, lean, his clothes I'M
pressed. his hat tilted, the man swag-
gered before him.
Ranger. eh?'-with heavy sar-
casm. well, 1 got to tell you that
the boss is busy this morning and
can't see anybody-even you"
The visitor shifted his hat to an
other and more disreputable angle.
took an old pipe from his pocket and
began to fill 1t.
You're new here, my lad; that's
plain. But, If you're in doubt take
my name. either to Frank Bryan or
Lor1ng himself"
The guard scowled, but wavered
in his decision to throw the man out.
He trusted his own impression more
than he did this airy certainty OF wei.
come. Yet the fellow seemed so con-
foundedly sure
He covered his hesitation with true
culent repartee.
Gil . push uo9 w no snail
say 1t is that wants the boss-Lloyd
George or Herbert Hoover?"
Neither" The man fiicked a
travelling from his sleeve. He'll
probably see me quicker If you give
it to him straight. Just say, my good
man, that Juarez Charlie is here"
Juarez Charlie. In the face Of such
original estimate of the man fully
justified. And yet there was some
thing in that dark, obscure glance, in
the jeering smile on the glib mouth
that OVERRIDE his settled judgment.
Uncertainty he scratched his jaw.
II don't know but what I'll take a
chance on you" he finally decided.
you amt so much worse than a lot
I've had to let get by. But listen
here" with a return Of authority
''if I get in wrong, you'd better not
wait. I'm coming back, and if they
don't want you, I'll just naturally
wipe up the street with you"
As he came into the presence OF
Rangers private secretary, Frank
Bryan, the impulse that had led him
to take in the name Of the rakish
visitor weakened. and he stood
shutting his feet, uncertain what to
say.
Mr.. Bryan, sir, there's "a party
out there. that wants to see Mr..
Ranger. He said to tell you or Mr..
Ranger that Jarez Charlie"
"Juarez Charlier' the secretary
snapped. why didn't you say so?
Show him into the private office at
once"
The bewildered guard returned to
his post.
This way, mister" he beckoned
with disgrunted civilty.
Never mind" He waved Number
One aside. ''I know the way"
He passed on, a privileged char
acter, exchanging a word or two with
different employees in the outer office
and nodding Familiarity to others; for,
rolling stone adventurer though he
was. CRATER and swindler as he was
suspected of being, Juarez Charlie was
welcome here to come and go as he
pleased.
He and Loring Ranger had been
boys together.
More than once the successful manu-
facturer had urged his old associate
to take a position with him, Offering
Charlie his choice either inside the
factory or on the road; for it was
Rangers firm belief that the vaga-
bond. If he would only devote himself