The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-01-17
1t Was Fine for
Weeds

By AUSTIN FLEET
IA 1907 Wastaru Newsnan ar HMM

nSCuSy Dul II ouic ucdlu ~
humans"
The congressman's pretty little ma
tronly wife Obeyed. She Away.
oDeyed her stalwart, famous husband
whom she worshiped. Robertson was
her tower of refuge; she consulted
him about everything.
He went into his library in the fine
house they owned. AS he sat down he
looked about at his possessions with
pardonable pride. This was the ma
terial embodiment Of a life of indus
try. He had gone far; he was a
young mar still. and would go far
ther.
A ring came at the bell. The maid
showed in a disreputable-looking indi-
vidual whose face was vaguely ia.
miliar.
robertson looked up into the smirk-
ing face; suddenly his whole body
sagged In the chair. The other grinned
at him, impudently, confident.
u guess you remember me, Jim
Robertson" he said.
"Musgravel"
Ton M%usgrave, your old partner.
I've been watching your rise in the
world with lively appreciation, Jim.
Nice home you've got, nice little wife,
nice little reputation"
What do you want?"
Musgraye smiled. "Well, now, you
and mo Urnc o1v-axv, foio oati.- ~~;+L
each other in the old days, before we
landed in the pen, Jim. Suppose we
say $1,000 for a starter?"
"Blackmail?"
The others face was suddenly con
vulsed with passion. aye, black
mail, if you like" he answered.
Names don't break any bones. D'you
think | mean to be a tramp all my life.
while you're rolling in your car? No,
street
"AIark me, Jim Robertson, If you'd
played fair with me I'd do the same.
But now, you hound, I'm going to
bleed you white. I'm going to haunt
you to your last day. You're going
to be my mich COW, d'you hear, Rob-
We'll begin with that $1,000. I'll call
it tomorrow, in cash, and then
we'll start talking. No marked bills
dicks, Jim, or I'll put the world wise
% you"
A gentle tap came at the door.
Little Mrs. Robertson came in. She
ooked unusually pale. On a tray she
two cups of tea.
Il thought your guest might like a
up, too,'' she said, smiling, setting
a cup before each. And she
smiling, till each had drunk
is cup, and then carried the cups
way.
Tomorrow at this time, then"
rowled the visitor, lurching out of the
pom.
Robertson spent a night of agony.
wen stronger ;slan the humiliation,
probable arrest, was his fear for
is wife.
Nellie would never survive it-poor
tile, gentle Nellie, who leaned sc !
luch on him, who was incapable OF
slieving any baseness in him. !
Long he had struggled to fight down
Is past, he had fought it down, and
DIV this grisly specter had arisen to
lunt him.
He knew Tom Musgrave, knew his :
ndictive nature, knew that ever
ore than the money he loved re-
,nge. Musgrave would " let up.
e could only be bought off for a
me. Then he would be back. He
ould bleed him white, as he said, Il
ain him of life and hope. And
ellie.
Jim, dear, what was the name of
ur visitor yesterday" asked his
tie wife at the breakfast table.
sThat tramp? He said his name was
usgrave."
II thought that must be the man,
cause w hardly ever get tramps In
Is section" said Nellie, pointing to
item in the local paper.
read how a tramp, with
in his pocket addressed, prob.
ly to himself, as Musgrave, had
en- found dead In q barn the night
fore. He seemed to have died or
iestinal inflammation. There was
thing about an inquest. Inquests
2 not held upon tramps.
And every nerve In Robertson's
ly responded to that wild thrill OF
He was safe. The man
s dead. A weed, a human weed.
himself would have killed him
Lhout remorse or regret.
That started him thinking. He went
I to the closet and took down his
ed-killer. He must put it In a
'er place.
Tn going to put this in the shed,
he said. 81 didn't know I'd
ID as much as this yesterday. We
st be careful with It,"
Yes" said Nellie. ats very good
weeds"
Slow Process. but Fast Enough.