The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-03-04

been here" Starbuck named as
Harry" fat, busy Harry Barbanet,
who by dint of some crafty bustling
about, some skillful eavesdropping, and
the exercise of some extraordinary
instinct, had possessed himself of the
whole story and "scooped' the house
by getting first with it to Starbuck's
ear Il know all about what he want
ed" continued Starbuck. "What're
you going to dO?'
His appearance had a quietihg ef-
feet on the disputants to the degree
that they left off abusing each other
and turned together to abuse Star
buck Still in his early thirties, Star
buck, well built, frank in manner,
more than equal in suave speech to
the worthless in Sleepy Cat, and game
in such local encounters as had be-
fallen him, enjoyed an accredited rep
utation in the River quarter. Not I'M
pleasing in feature-rather light If
complexion and alert in bearing, he
was looked to as a local arbiter of
River quarter difficulties and was,
moreover, de facto mayor of Sleepy
Cat. l say de facto because the fran
chise was only nominal part of
Sleepy Cat politics and, Starbuck held
the title principally by reclamation,
so to speak; and held it successfully
against other possible claimants.
What are we going to do?" echoed
Bartoe. 1--WE can't do anything with
out tight-and nobody can tell how
fights going to come out. Go talk
to Selwood yourself, Starbuck- Is he
running this town or are you?"
what are we paying a mayor for?'
demanded Atkins, unpleasantly signi-
ficant.
Starbuck silenced his nervous
baiters by combining a few brief re-
marks strictly to one-syllable words.
Then, tarrying only long enough to
absorb all pertinent details of the
row, he strobe up street to interview
Selwood
Starbuck realized the delicate posi-
ton in which Selwood's action left
him. Two bosses could not exist at
the same time in Sleepy Cat, and
there was in the situation this further
element of uncertainty that Starbuck
wanted to solve. He knew Selwood
but slightly and knew him chiefly as
man who minded strictly his own
business. Did he mean now to aspire
for local leadership? Starbuck hoped
not but wanted to know
He bent his steps straight toward
Selwood, who stood smoking while he
watched with mild interest the play
at table where new dealer sat in
stalled
"Selwood" said Starbuck, inquir-
ingly, putting out his hand. Eyes.
You're Starbuck," answered Selwood
laconically as he gave him his own
hand.
Can l have a word with yOu%
asked Starbuck. For answer Selwood,
pocket, led the way to his table in the
corner and pointed to chair Both
men sat down. Starbuck spoke.
81 don't like to see a quarrel get
going in the street, Selwood," he
began, with an air of good fellowship.
Dave Tracy and 1 didn't always
agree. Tracy was getting pretty we'll
along in years and he was a little
cranky once in a while-I guess
maybe I was, too
Starbuck smiled family with the
candid admission. SeiwOod's face was
receptively non-committal. But
Tracy" continued Starbuck, chad
enemies where he might have had
friends, which is 4 foolish policy, In
my opinion, for any man." There was
no covert limiting in Starbucks man.
ner-just frank disinterestedness.
"Now Bartoe," he went on quietly.
has turned up little grievance
against you. l told him I didn't
think there was anything serious to
it-nothing but what could be ironed
out between man and man-so said
I'd just come and have little talk
with you"
Starbuck paused-not as man
that has said all, but as if inviting
the other fellow to say something.
Selwood only took his cigar from his
mouth, waiting courteously for his in
terviewer to continue.
II suppose" resumed Starbuck,
not discomposed "Tm less acquainted
with you than l am with most men
around town. But I've always heard
you spoken of as a reasonable man,
a man who didn't want anything
more than what's right. Bartoe feels
you came down on him pretty strong
i suppose you had some good rea-
son for what you did,"
Starbuck, feeling, naturally, that
he had put his own cards fairly on
the table, and in nowlse upset by his
peculiar receptiOn. now sat silent. in