The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-14

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me know What It is

He was silent for a moment. There
were times when man might par
donably give way to anger, but this
was not such a time, he told him.
self in a resolute effort at self-con-
troll. After all, the Laird was max
ing what he undoubtedly felt to be
generous gesture.
"I understand what you mean,
Mr.. Dean" he said at last, "but my
loss is my own / brought it on my
self and I'll foot the bill"
The great hands of Jarvis Dean
came down heavily upon the arms
of his chair as he leaned toward
Bruce. "You don't mean--you are
not refusing my offer7" he demand
ed harshly.
Bruce laughed outright. "You
surely didn't expect me to accept
it?' he replied. II haven't come to
that yet, sir"
A livid vein stood out upon Jarvis
forehead. He got to his feet with
astonishing and fiery swiftness.
THAT, Landor, isis sheer impu-
dencel" he gasped.
Bruce, who had risen promptly
when Jarvis stood up, looked steadi-
ly into the older mans eyes.
"Are you not being bit unreason-
able, Mr.. Dean?" he asked.
The Laird snorted. That's
| enough, sir and more than
enough!" he replied. 81 have made
you a gentleman's offer-and you
have refused it. Do / understand
you Alright, sir?"
''I couldn't think of accepting it,
| Mr.. Dean"
VERY well, Landor-very well!
You may have it your way, then.
But from this day forward there will
be no dealings between us, do you
understand? You are a stranger to
us-to me and my daughter-for the
rest of our days" He stepped to-
ward Bruce and thrust his great
head forward. do you understand
that?" he demanded.
Perfectly, | think" Bruce re-
| piled, and fumbled in his breast
pocket for another cigarette.
The hand that struck the match
was not altogether steady, but he
knew now that he had his feelings
under control. When he turned to-
ward Jarvis Dean again, he was
startled quite off his guard at the
shocking change that had come over
the old man. The Laird was leaning
heavily with one hand on the back
of his chair, his head bowed for
| ward, his other hand passing un-
certainly across his eyes as though
to brush from them something that
obscured his vision. Bruce took an
apprehensive step toward him, but
Immediately Jarvis drew himself
erect Although his face was drawn
and white, he made curt bow.
"Good day, Landor!" he said, and
stood awaiting Bruce's withdrawal
Bruce looked at him for one briei
moment in frowning perplexity and
with a feeling of some unfathomabl
uneasiness. Then he bade the Laird
quiet good-by and turned away
AS he left the room, Jarvis Dear
slumped heavily into his chair anc
sat listening to the sound of Bruce's
footsteps descending the stairs.
The Laird was still in his library
an hour or so later, when Autumn
returned from town. When he heart
her mounting the stairway present
ly, he closed the large, leather
bound journal in which he was writ
ing and laid it carefully away in tn,
drawer of his table. He locked tn,
drawer and returned the small ke,
to its wonted place above the desk
He turned as Autumn came int.
the room.
You're back" he said "It didn'
take you long"
"I've been gone three hours" sh,
remarked. There wasn't much t,
do"
"Did you see Snyder?"
ST found him in his office. Hell
be out to see you tomorrow after
noon"
Jarvis got up from his table an,
stood before the fireplace. II ha,
young Landor out to see me-" h,
said abruptly.
Hannah told me-" Autumn re
piled. "Was there some-some trou
BILE between you? Hannah says"
Hannah talks too much" th
Laird interrupted. Whatever trou
BILE there was was of Landor's owl
making. He's turned out to be al
impudent young whelp, that"
Autumn moved to the window AM
looked out toward the west wher
Bruce Landor's ranch lay. ear
you sure you are being quite fair
Da?" she asked quietly.
"He doesn't need you to defen,
him, my girl" Jarvis reproved her
81 know that" Autumn replied
"and I don't mean to defend him
either. After all, I know nothing O
what passed between YOU"
i 81 offered to pay him for the Me
rinos he lost" Jarvis informed her
Autumn turned from the window
: "He didn't accept it, did he?"
Il What? Why shouldn't he accep
! it?" the Laird demanded "Whos
fault was it that he lost them?"
; Autumn regarded her father 81
/ lently for a moment. "It was m.
fault, Da,' she said at last. 81 ad
/ NIT it. But the score between u
: could not be settled-like that"
perhaps you can suggest th