The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-05-22
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Gray. Perhaps Doctor .aallow has
made mention of me-"
So you're the lad that threw pep
per in his eyes?" Brick Stoner star
cd at the newcomer with undi sguised
interest. He rose, rs did McWade
! "Ill say we've heard of you. Your
names getting as common as safety
razor blades. You've been cleani:
| up, haven't your
'.lrm- nj. moder;,"iy.' Calvin/Gray
shook hands with the promoters
then to the agitated Manow. who
still peerod at him apprehensively,
he said: Come, come. Let down
your hammer! Uncol!"
Listen, you'll" the other burst
forth. 81 beat that thing out. I'm
! clean and don't intend to go back.
You're a strong guy and you got
| bunch of -kale, and you're a getter,
hut the taller they come the harder
they fall. You can be had" The
speaker was desperate, his Aface
was flushed with anger, the tone Of
| his voice was defiant and threaten
! ing.
| Gray helped himself to chair,
crossed his legs, and lit cigar. Nc
Wade and Stoner neither moved nor
spoke.
| "My dear Mallow, you wrong me-"
In the newcomers voice there was
no longer any mockery. II gave
you credit for more intelligence. We
| played our little farce and it is done
| the episode is closed, so far as l
am concerned. / supposed you
/ understood that much. helped you
| and | came here to enlist your help"
! You helped me-" Mallow showed
; his teeth in snarl.
! "prec3sely. TN INK a moment.
| Was it not odd that ] failed 70 APP
pear against you? That the. ca was
never pressed, the pro ,ecution
dropped!' y ''''..jt !,
Il s'pose you were afraid to go
through. Thought I'd get YOU"
Gray shook his head impatiently.
afraid? Of you? Oh Mallow! Had
feared your majestic wrath, do
you think l would have arranged for
that doctor to see you every day?
| And Paid his bill ?Who, pray, sent
in those good things for you to eat ?"
There was pause.
did your
81 did"
Again there was silence.
"Why?"
For one thing I was sorry for
you. | really was. had caused you
and Tony great deal of suffering,
and ] cannot bring myself to inflet
actual suffering upon anyone with
out doing my best to alleviate it.
Then again, had nothing against
you personally. We merely clashed
in the course of-business."
Mallow allowed himself to sink
back upon the desk; he turned his
dark goggles upon his friends in
blind stare of bewilderment
What the odds why he done it ?"
Stoner inquired, sharply. "Any man
that can squirt my eyes full of to-
basco, and me with a six gun on him,
is all right. And him with bottle
of milk duly made and provided"
The field member of the firm
slapped his thigh and laughed loud
~.
The object of this commentator
was pleased. "Gratitude is rare" he
murmured. 81 thank you. Now
then, | was thinking of making
friend Mallow business PROPOSE
ton, but-perhaps l can interest
you, also in doing something for
me. III pay WE'LL"
Were live ones," Stoner assert
ed.
For one thing, l wish to hire the
brightest oil scout in the district
but l don't want him, nor anyone
else, for the time being, to slSSpcct
that he's working for me. | will
double his salary 60 watch one ope-
rator Perhaps he could appear to
be IN your employ? Furthermore,
intend to do considerable secret buy
ing and selling, and | will need sew
. eral dummies--mo.a "a: character UNI
,, important.
Il You're after big game, take it 2"
McWade inquired, mildly.
THE biggest in these woods"
:, 'One man. did you say?"
"One man."
Were legitimate firm, Won
: know"
,, Grays eyes twinkled as he ex-
claimed: Exactly! If | have caused
. you to infer that shall employ any
thing except legitimate means to
erect my purpose, it is my error.
Now then, how about you, Mallow?
Would you care to work for me ~
The iatter's pale face broke into q
- grin. Il. am working for YOU" he
= declared I've been on your pay
y roll now for five minutes"
:, Gray lifted an admonitory hand.
~ Can l. arrive at terms with you
gentlemen
Write your own ticket" McWade
- declared, and Mr.. Stoner echoed this
', statement with enthusiasm.
very we'll! Details later. Now,
shall give myself the pleasure of
calling upon my man and telling
him exactly what l intend doing
The speaker rose and shook hands;
with the three precious scoundr4ls.
Continued in Our Next Issue)