New Britain herald., 1924-08-13

NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 "I don't see why you can't have Charley call in the men and star
 them out on the road" observed ths youth.
 They've got work 10 do here. growled his father. as he spread ( napkin. "And it's not their job. any How. It's a sheriff's job"
 The Wreck, who was lndling sour at the serving table. never spilled ( drop. He meAiy prolonged the task as he listened.
 Tt seems to me he ought 10 have some deputy you could get hold of. suggested Harriet Underwood.
 "I don't want his deputy. don't do business with deputies. want the man in charge. Lord knows. pay enough taxes in this county to get sheriff when want one. He must be fine sheriff to let state of affairs like this go on."
 "Well, I guess you could get an other one elected, if you wanted to- remarked the young man, with an effort at lightness.
 His father glared at him.
 Don't be an ass, Chester. What we want now is a sheriff-on the job. I We're not running next years cleo tion."
 The Wreck, having ladled soup into three plates, picked one of them up and turned toward the table. This was the crisis, and there was no longer any use in trying to postpone 1t. He laid the plate in front of Miss Underwood, and then, for the first time since he had entered the room, | he seemed to attract family attention. The girl gave him a casual look and picked up her napkin. Chester's examination was equally brief. Ser wants were matter of no great in- terest, either to himself or his sister. But the scrutiny of Jerome Under- wood was more prolonged. The Wreck blinked painfully and wished that he had his glasses; he wanted to read the big mans expression more accurately
 He had fetched 8 second plate of soup and laid 1t before the ranch o"hci pclolo HoIu was duuTcSSeu to him.
 You Didn't work here last sum- mer," announced Underwood
 NO, sir"
 It was a bitter wrench, but the Wreck kept his voice low and re- spectful.
 What's your name?"
 Williams"
 Where are you from?"
 Pittsburgh, sir.''
 Just working here for the sum- mer?"
 "Yes, sir"
 Underwood nodded and picked up his spoon. The Wreck moved off toward the serving table and got an- other plate of soup. He felt as though he were treating on air He did not believe he was going to mind waiting on the hog, after all; it was so much satisfaction to fool him.
 The head of the ranch ate his soup with purposeful speed, pushed back the plate and began drumming on the table with the tips of his thick fingers.
 Its a fine telephone service we get out here," he grumbled. q SUD- pose that girl hasn't bothered her head about it since"
 '"But of course it may take time to locate him, father" said Miss Un- derwood.
 Tt ought not to. Whats a sheriff for? Hes supposed to be within call, if l know anything about his busi- ness. Here's bunch of highway robbers running around the country, and dare say he's never heard about H And they talk about i'm proving the roads for tourists!"
 Jerome Underwood's voice trailed off into low growl and he continued to drum with his fingers.
 Well, I wanted to take a shot at the one in the road and you wouldn't let me-" complained Chester.
 That would have been fine busi- | ness, wouldn't it?" observed his | father. He'd have, shot every last one of us before you could lift your hnger. You never had a chance after you got out of the car. If you want ed to take shot at him, why didn't | you do it before you climbed out ?"
 But it was just a bit unexpected. father. We didn't think" Underwood silenced his son with a gesture.
 Of course we didn't think. We didn't think that the country was running wild, with lot of despera- does doing as they damn please. Bu we found out differently, didn't we? You shoot at him! Why, there were three more of them up by his car. saw them"
 Timothy said he didn't see any, body else" said Miss Underwood.
 Timothy's a blind ass What do you expect of a chauffeur who is scared so stiff that he forgets how to work tire pump? I say there were three men, lined up at the side of the road-with guns. Why, If it hadn't been for them I'd have had he other one"
 The Wreck collected the soup plates and piled them carefully.
 You could have jumped on him while he was trying to get his car 'tarted," observed Miss Underwood. with a nod.