Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-09-30
Their Name Was Legion!

ly, Bart turned down the street to
ward the ramshackle, two-story build
Ing which housed the office of Bull
Franniston.
lie mounted the stairway, only to
halt as he circled the banister and
started toward the grimy door of the
little Office. Voices were coming from
Within-the voices Of two men, Bull"
and Old Jim. The voice of the latter
was pleading.
Bull" he was saying, you're going
too far. I've stood to see you beat
her, I've stood to see you mistreat her,
I've stood for pretty near everything
IN the world, figuring that the worst
you could do would be better than
what would happen if I'd ever force
you to come out in the open and lay
your cards on the table. But"
Wait just a minute, Jimp The
rumbling voice of the other man had
cut in sneeringly. You're always
talking about what I've got up my
sleeve. Have I ever told you that 1
knew anything about you? Or what"
NO, but you know that know it
you don't have to tell me that the
name of Leon Barrows is fake name
Or that what you're always so care
full to keep locked up in that safe isn't
what-what think it isl"
You'd better be quiet, JIM" an
swered Franniston.
There was a queer, implied threat in
the voice-and one which met with in
slant response.
Il didn't mean It, Bull" The
old pleading had returned. "But,
Cd, 'Bun'-just think how it would
be If you were in my Shoes Think
how you'd suffer If you saw some one
throwing her directly in the path of
gamblers and the sort of women that
are flooding in here now!'
They're my friends. I'm looking
to them for my living"
That's no reason you should make
Anita associate with them"
isn't it? If they're my friends
they've got to be her friends"
Il hate to think it, Bull" an
swered Jim. Il don't know which
would be worse, for her to have to
live in this atmosphere or-or the 9th
er one that she'd be up against if-if
I'd have to come out in the OPEN"
"Suit yourself" The announcement
had a sheer in it. do what you
please about that In the meanwhile,
get out I've got work to look after"
The last announcement meant dis
covery for Bart Rogers if he fingered.
Hurriedly he turned for the staircase,
and was far down the street when,
looking over his shoulder he saw the
bent form Of Old Jim leave the build
ing. Bart's heart was humping
strangely. Again had he come face to
face with the mystery in the lives of
Bull" Franniston, his daughter and
Old Jim.
Suddenly Bart Rogers stopped short.
If 1t was certain that Franniston was
to be the king of the gambling element
and the dance halls, it was certain
also that Bull" Franniston did not
care what became of his own daugh-
ter.
mot if l can stop It'll" he thought
grimly. 81 may be one man against
multitude, but I'll make the fight"
He wheeled suddenly and hurried
up the street toward the wide ram
bling home of Tom Jordan, mayor
| elect.
'Mr Jordan" he said, when the ge.
NAL old ex-cattleman had answered
his ring at the bell, you offered me
job a couple of days ago."
THAT'S what l did, boy"
fittings have changed a good deal
since then. I just wanted to ask one
question: Have you any objections
to a clean town."
'Objections?' The big man chuckled,
Lord, no! I want it clean. AL
though" and he rubbed his chin as
he looked down toward the main
street, with its tents, it's crowds, its
covered wagons and dust-caked auto
mobiles, it's fiamboyant signs adver-
Using this, that and the other mush-
room stock-''it looks like an awful
lot of polishin' III have t. be done to
ever make this place shine again"
Maybe So" Bart Rogers patted a
fist into an open palm. you never
can tell about those things until you
try. When do you take officer"
"a week from today"
'TThen if you're still willing to stick
to your offer, I'll be glad to take the
iob-of cleaning up this town."
ii ANYWAY Bart has a he-n1an's III