Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-10-19
CHAPTER 30

CENTRAL PRESS AssocATIo

TIM, SEATED at the chair be-
fore the desk, was folding ner-
vously with his engagement book
when Adams announced he'd like
to talk with him. "Ah, yes" he
replied. Just moment"
Presently he swiveled round.
By attacking from a sitting posi-
ton he felt hopeful Of strengthen
ing his rather uncertain tenure Of
authority. But Adams was not
going to have any orderly room
atmosphere. He went to the
1nantelpiece, and leaned one elbow
on it in q comfortable attitude
Plainly the interview was going to
be difficult. % ak=
well, Adams" he started.
From the way you're behaving
it's not quite clear whether you're
here for me to speak to you or
for you to speak to me-"
Don't see that it makes much
difference" Adams replied easily.
Looks as if we've both got some
thing to say to each other. Only
question is, which one is going to
start '.'e.t 81
u 'Well, I think will if you don't
mind" Indulgence favored with
sarcasm was the line Tim was at
tempting. H ss s
"Shoot, them" invited Adams.
"Are you aware that you came
very close to killing me last
night 2" ~
''Killing you? Why, Mr.. Ken
needy, I wouldn't do that for the
world, I value your life far too
highly"
"A cold chill went down Tins
back. But, he proceeded evenly.
= ,''We1l, in that case you have a
queer way Of showing it. 80. You
almost ran me down in Box
lane" - ft1'''' q
"Windy, Ell? You weren't in
any danger"
"As far as I could see from
your expression as you passed you
were inclined to treat the matter
as joke"
'Well, a miss is as good as a
mile. We were in the war to-
gether, and we both know that"
This was impossible. Tim
took sudden leap forward.
Look here, Adams, what the
devils the matter with you?"
Nothing, thanks. I'm fine"
do you realize that for the last
week or so you've been treating
me with the most extraordinary
insolence? It's a marvel I've
borne with you so long. You've
been with me a good time, and
we've got on pretty well together.
I've never had any reason to COM
plain. And think you'll admit
I've been a pretty good employer.
I haven't been oppressive or ex-
acting. But lately you seem to
have forgotten am your en-
ployer at all. I'd be very sorry
to lose you, Adams, but you've got
to understand this sort Of thing
can't go on. Either you mend
your manners or we part COM
pany."
"Oh, I think we'll manage to
string along together for a bit
yet"
That's for me to decide. II
don't know if you've any explana-
ton to offer. I know you've been
drinking good deal. But per-
haps you've some excuse. Have
you any personal or domestic
trouble?"
Adams grinned. tive never
been married"
II know that. And you won't
get yourself anywhere by taking
that tone. If you'd any sense
you'd see I'm trying to find an ex-
cuse for you. It has occurred
to me you might have been badly
upset by my wife's death. -"
Adams answered slowly. "Well,
she was good mistress, poor
lady. ). Perhaps in way have
been upset by. her death. -. In
fact, in a manner Of speaking I
might almost say it's altered my
whole life" 81 ~. sM
There was a deadly silence. Tim
drummed on the arm Of his chair
with his fingers. s.j~ 1:it' Il
There was something you
wanted to say to me-" he. said at
last, abruptly. ''I'll POSTPONE my