The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-04-22

| Shame.
The lawyer nodded grimly. "Of
course not! But you and Landon
pick up a street tramp-a fellow
who hadn't a penny of his own
that night. 1 happen to know
that much; and turn him loose In
a friends house - to make love
to an innocent young girl. He's
doing that; I've seen it. YOU
you young scamp, you; I've a
mind to punish you!" the old man
stormed. "You deserve a drum
head courtmartial instead of the
check I've got here for you," he
added, holding out slip of paper
with a fierce reluctance of an
old tiger swapping over a bone.
For the first time in his life,
Banks pocketed check without
a grin of satisfaction. He seized
it, picked up his hat and made
for the door.
See here" Fosdick called af-
ter him, "you tell Landon l want
to see him - hear me?"
But Banks was already at the
elevator. He was painting like a
man who had been running. He
reached the pavement in time to
hail a taxi and fling an address at
the driver. Once inside he relax
ed enough to think. His amaze
ment had, at first, dulled his 9TH
er faculties. But now he realized
that he was we'll out of it; he
might be initially to blame, for he
had made the wager, but he had
been already turned down-froz-
en- out; he was a Scapegrace OF
sorts, and Mrs. Lynn could not
visit her wrath upon him. Lam
don would get tiff she and
Burleson found out. In the gloom
of the taxi Teddy Banks grinned
ruefully. He was not an ill-nat-
ured youth and he pitted Landon
for it was borne in upon him that
Landon would be betrayed; not
that he meant to betray him, but
! there was Fosdick! AS for Burle-
SON
In his excitement he paid the
taxi-driver to make better speed
j by side street and reached Lam
don's lodgings in the nick of
time; he found him just leaving.
Hello, Ted" said he cody, Il
am going out-got anything to
show to keep me?"
"You bet your sweet life l
haven' Banks seized him by the
arm and drew him away from the
door. "You come back to your
rooms; I've got something thatll
knock you cold!"
Landon, who had never forgiv-
en- him for the result of the wag-
er, turned back Reluctantly and
unlocked his door. Once inside
the room, Banks shut the door
and leaned his back against it.
See here, Archie" he said
hoarsely; that fellow - that
wager fellow, l mean - he's an
ex-convict; he's committed muir
! der!"
Landon stood still. He had moth
ing to say, but he felt the blood
pounding to his brain. He had
hated Mark, but not for an in
slant had he imagined this;
Banks went on to elucidate his
statement, to add a little color to
| it.
KILLED his old uncle fifteen
years ago; that's why it's sort of
forgotten - feeble old man." he
Explained breathlessly; ''knocked
him on the head with a brick, or
something like that; a perfectly
beastly murder!'
Landon folded his arms and
Strengthened himself little. Still
he said nothing, and his fixed
stare disconnected Banks.
Look here, old chap" he said
nervously, cts bally kettle of
fish; what are you going to do
about it?'
do" Landon's face Redeemed.
I'D like to hang you, for one
thing" he replied bitterly. cts
that fool wager! AS for this fell
low" his lips frightened - I'll
see to him.
'D'you know Fosdick says he's
making love to Pamela Rod"
Shut up! Landon snapped.
"You leave her out of it; you've
done enough"
ooh, if you're going to foist all
the blame on mel" Banks began
angrily, but he got no further;
Landon thrust him out into the
hall, locked the door of his apart
ment and started downstairs on a
run.
(TO BE CONTINUED)