Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-05-31
CHAPTER III
Gentleman John,

The evening was young when Nc
Alpin stepped briskly into the gam
bling room. 1t was well lighted by
handsomely bracketed kerosene
lamps on the side walls and by elab-
crate hanging lamps. The center
hanging lamp was particularly bril-
liant affair. the pride Of the janitor.
Bull Page, broken cowboy. who al
ways saw that this particular lamp
was in the pink Of good order.
Like one familiar with his sur
roundings. McAlpin walked directly
up the middle Of the long room, nod
ding here and there to an acquaint-
ance. and directed his steps to the
upper right-hand corner, in which,
apart somewhat from the tables,
fiat-topped desk faced McAlpin
diagonally. Behind the desk stood
swivel armchair; on a wall shelf be-
hind the chair there reposed a card
photograph. crudely framed, Of man
in the uniform of a Union soldier.
Beside this, but more conspicuous
because much larger, stood a glass
dome Of the kind used to cover
French mantel clocks. Under this
dome there reposed already, in place
Of the expensive clock. which had
been removed to make place for 1t,
single slender high shoe evidently
the shoe Of girl of eighteen or
twenty years. 1t showed but little
wear and, during the evening, attract
ed much attention and elected many
questions. But beyond the vague
statement that it was there for good
luck. no explanation to any one was
then or afterward forthcoming from
Selwood.
- McAlpin watched the play few
minutes with the air of one that had
graduated from that form of enter
tainment, and sauntered back toward
the front door. There his active eye
fell on a man Of medium stature
standing with his hands in his
pockets, leaning against the door
lamb and looking out into the street.
He showed in his copper-colored face
the hue of an Indian. Bob Scott,
partly Of Chippewa blood, and car
ried-a Sioux captive-far from the
hunting grounds of his fathers. was
now a retainer Of John Selwood's.
McAlpin ambled up to him like an old
acquaintance. which in fact. he was.
"Tm looking for the boss. Bob" he
said with some Importance In his
tone.
The Indian only drew his hands
from his pockets to place them be-
hind his back on the jamb he was
leaning against. and smiled In friend
ly fashion.
"rm thinking he went up the river.
If he did. he ought to be back by
now"
"What would he be going up the
river for?" asked McAlpin with
native suspicion.
''To see man."
"What man would John Selwood
want to see up river?"
Scott smiled enigmatically. "May-
be the old padre-the one that trav-
els that way sometimes with the
Blackfeet."
81 hear he let Big Haynes go this
morning, Bob" said McAlpin cava-
lierly. "What for? He was the fast
est dealer in the house."
Bob Scott, smiling, only held up his
right forefinger and crooked it.
"What does he want to see the old
padre about?" demanded McAlpin
with an air of Impotence.
Scott, looking over McAlpin's Shout
der down the street, made a definite
announcement "There comes Sell
wood. Jim; suppose" he added, smil-
ing evenly, "you ask him."
McAlpin cherished a genuine re-
gard for the young boss, as he some
times called Selwood, and with all his
turns and quirks, loyalty was in the
fiber of McAlpin's makeup. He gave
value received to whOmever he sold
his service, and in return had things
In his official servitude mostly his