The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-03-04
By
FRANK H., SPEARMAN
Copyright. by Charles Scribner's Sons.
WNU Service.

at CWenty-SeVen ne looked fresh ana
boyish among men who, though hard
ly older in years. seemed to have
felt more heavily the hardships of
frontier life. There was nothing az
gressive about his appearance; but
his gray eyes chilled his manner
when his face was in repOse, and he
was known to waste but few words
in reaching a conclusion, and none
in pursuing vain dispute.
He heard patiently McAlpin's COM
plants as to the crowded condition
of the barn, and only reminded him
that the coming of the railroad
would mean the cutting off of much
freight and that there would soon be
more room at the barn than business.
"And," he added, don't lose a chance
to let go any mules you can sell to
advantage"
So saying, Selwood tossed his hat
on the desk and sat down. McAlpin
hurried through the preliminaries of
his story with every indication of
nervousness, twrling his cap at in
tervals over his fingers and hesitat-
ing at times for a word or phrase to
estimate the effect on his nearer, who
was looking, as he listened, over
batch of reports Lefever, the wagon
boss, had left on his desk
But try as he would, McAlpin could
gain no clue to the impression he was
making. 1t was only after Selwood
looked up at the close of the recital
that McAlpin could even guess what
he might expect; then Selwood shook
his head as if annoyed and his first
words dashed McAlpin's hopes.
"Why bring that kind Of story to
me?" he asked. He spoke without
feeling, but as if his time were being
imposed on. "They rob people down
there all the time. That's their bust
ness" he continued, fixing his eyes
again on the papers before him. $50
back to your den and forget yourself"
"John," pleaded McAlpin, low and
softly but persistingly, Il want to tell
you: this is a hard case, blamed
hard case. It's Bunty Bartoe's work
hes the biggest all-round thief in
Sleepy Cat. Starbuck's got an inter-
est in that place. Half the money
I'm saying half, John-goes straight
into Starbuck's pocket. It's a crime"
exclaimed McAlpin in half-whispered
desperation, "the way that man Star
buck is picking up money"
1t would have needed full knowl-
edge of the local situation to realize
McAlpin's craft in his last appeal.
Selwood, he knew. liked Starbuck
less than he did any man in Sleepy
Cat With but a slight acquaintance
between the two, there was, on either
side, no regard lost. And McAlpin
knew that if it worried Selwood as
much as it did him to see such men
picking up money easily, he could be
stirred by the reminder of it.
Yet all he could urge on this score
left Selwood cold. And perceiving
that no impression was made, but
rather that Selwood's eyes were wan
dering over the room, McAlpin added
that Lefever had come in with new
saddle pony that afternoon. and per-
haps Selwood would like to step down
to the barn minute to look it over.
This news had quite a different
effect on the hard-headed gambler.
The pony, present from Ben Went
worth, the active owner of the
wealthy freighting company of which
Selwood was a division superinten-
dent, had been eagerly awaited
week-for SelwoOd loved a horse and
the record of his early years in the
saddle entitled him to judge one
The sight of the pony, groomed to
an actual polish, did crafty Selwood.
IF her action is up to her brag, she's
all right" he said, as McAlpin swung
the lantern away from the box stall.
"I'll try her out later this evening""
Sounding her praises craftily, Nc
Alpin steered his boss into the office.
where Mrs. McCracken and Moses
sat in solemn silence. Selwood, pay
ing no attention to them, drew roll
of bills and handed one to McAlpin.
At that moment McAlpin, thanking
him earnestly; jerked his head toward
Mrs. McCracken to bid her rise. He
hurriedly introduced her to Selwood
and pointed to Moses dramatically
as Bunty BartOe's victim.
Moses stood miserably up, but, de-
spite McAlpin's insistent nodding, the
woman appeared unable to rise. She
tried to, but could not. Selwood cast
cold eye on her. McAlpin babe her
tell her story. Fortunately. for the I'M
lucky woman, she could not even do
that: telling it so many times in so
few hours had left her too exhausted
even to speak. But she looked the
story out of her mournful eyes. They
stirred something in Selwood that
words would perhaps not have
reached. This is the man, ma'am
that can get you back your money"
said McAlpin, pointing emphatically
to SelwOod. "if he wants to. Tell
him." he bawled, starting for the
gangway door, you want him to!"
Hobbling quickly from the room,
AIxNsx lofA SCI.