The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-07-03

mean! " he protested.
don't, either" Bess laughed. But
wel md out soon. Let's look and
see our doom approaching" She ran
TO the window and stared down the
drive that led from the great gateway.
Whatd / tell you?" she demanded. as
she saw a big auto plunging toward
the house. 1t needed no expert to see
mat the man who drove 1t was furi-
Gus.
scarcely waiting to stop the engine
ne leaped out and fastened up the
steps to the house. His face was grim.
Bess, however, ran to meet him.
bess was the one member of the house
hold who was not in the least afraid
OF Mr. Archman. Others might pre-
tend not to be, but their pretense was
always hollow. Bess. on the other
hand, never seemed to realize that she
had any reason to be afraid
1t followed, naturally, that she never
did have any reason to be so. 1t fol-
lowed. also, that Archman was fonder
far of her than he was of any other
living creature. fOnder even than he
willed enough with every one else, was
humble and obedient with her hus-
band. Bess could twist the stubborn
old man around her little finger.
She met him at the top of the steps
Hello, pops!" she cried, teeth flash
ing, cheeks flaming, hair flying. "Hel-
10, pops! What's it all about?"
NJ fa
for smile curved the corners of his
mouth. about six-thirty," he an
swered gruffly "Time for dinner.
Where's your brother?"
Harry" The girl planted but
terfy kiss on her fathers cheek
Poor Harry! What's he done now? 2"
None Of your business, miss. Send
him to my study instantly"
won't after dinner do, dads?" the
girl pleaded. Dinners ready and you
men are always so worked up until
you're fed! Wait until after dinner,
won't your
mo, won't"' Mr.. Archman turned.
Here, James, George, whatever your
name is, tell my son l want him at
once. At once. Understand"
James, George-whatever his name
and Archman plunged into his study
and slammed the door behind him.
Five minutes later Harry Archman
followed him. Harry was slight of
build and shy of manner. One who
sought might trace a resemblance be-
tween his features and those of the
older man, but the expressions of the
| two were so different that few would
have guessed that they were father
and son. Moreover the boy was clear
| ly afraid of the man.
You wanted to see me, father?" he
questioned.
Yes; wanted to see your" Arch
man was plainly trying to hold himself
in check. and was as plainly failing
Yes! 1 wanted to remind you OF
some things you seem to have forgot
ten. One of them is that Archman
Company doesn't play favorites. Your
Job isn't very important, but it's all
you've got between you and the side
walk, and I'd advise you not to throw
It away and trust to the old man tC
play parachute, because he won't. A
boy can't fool around theaters hall
the night and give good work to the
/ house the next day. You've got tC
cut 1t out or Archman & Company
will cut you out In other words. it'll
fire you"
Harry turned red and white. He
tried to say something.
But his father gave him no chance
"That's what want to say to you a.
head of the firm" he rasped. Nov
want to add something as your ia
ther and not as your employer. I've
been hearing tales about you and so
called actress"
Harry flushed. Akin told you,
guess" he grltted. II heard he's beer
sneaking around"
"Akin didn't tell me until l asked
him. He didn't need to tell me. WheI
boy with rich father makes foo
of himself there are plenty of people
to pass the news along. The paper
will do 1t II nobody else. A sort o
human tadpole blew into my office to
day with newspaper proofs Of stor.
about you that he was going to pub
lIsh unless l paid him THOUSAND
dollars"
Did you do it?' The boy almos
shouted the question.
"I did not. The man who tries 4
conciliate polecat always gets tn
worst of 1t. The thing to do is L
keep away from the place where tn
polecats are. You haven't done that
This Fluffy Ruffies-"
Don't say anything against her, fa
ther. I warn you!'
81 am not going to say anything
against her. She'll say it for hersel
soon enough. She is making a foe
of you for her own ends But / an
not going to argue the point with yor
I haven't time and it wouldn't be an
use. 1 learned long ago that ther
aren't arguments that will reach