The Argosy, December 1905 — page 81: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

HIS CHRISTMAS ORCHID. “Well, Nate had the pay-roll money in a canvas sack, and the sack couldn’t be found.” “That’s Kalispel’s word for it,” mut- tered ‘Dexter. “ Sure,” assented McKibben, “ but I don’t think he’d misstate the facts.” “You don’t know what he would do. He’s tricky and might wish to make it appear that robbery was the motive. Has there been an inquest?” “Not yet.” “Then, I take it, you don’t know who’s guilty. What right has Kalispel to suspect Roy?” “Tt’s known that Roy and Nate quar- reled over a poker game last Sunday night, and there was bad blood between them. Besides that, when Nate left Siwash, about nine last evening, Burn- ham was seen to follow him.” “That is all the evidence you have on which to base an accusation against Roy?” asked Dexter sarcastically. “Vm not making any accusation, Jim,” answered the sheriff; “it’s Kalis- el.” “The charge won’t hold, and I’m not going to have Roy disgraced by being dragged off to Siwash and confronted with it. “Robbery!” Dexter gave a harsh laugh. “I give Roy all the money he wants to spend. All he has to do is to ask for it. Kalispel is trying to saddle 63 a double motive upon him—revenge, as well as robbery.” “They say—mind you, Jim, I’m not . talking from any personal knowledge— that young Burnham has been cutting a wide swath in the gambling dens at Lamark during the last two weeks. He is in debt to several blacklegs there, and Kalispel argues that he wanted the money to pay these claims and didn’t like to come to you for it.” Dexter’s face reddened with indigna- tion and anger. “Kalispel argues!” he exclaimed. “ He’ll argue anything and do anything to injure me. I'll give him all the fight he wants along this line, however, and if he——” | A shout from Perry claimed the at- tention of both men at that moment. The deputy was standing over the open violin case, a small canvas bag in his hands marked plainly with the letters Oop. Ik. “Here’s Kalispel’s money,” cried Perry. “ Blamed funny I didn’t think of lookin’ in this fiddle-box a long while ago.” Dexter leaped up in a daze, the whole fateful significance connected with the deputy’s discovery flashing over him with demoralizing power. A smothered groan was wrung from his lips and he staggered in Perry’s di- rection with outstretched hands. (To be continued. ) HIS CHRISTMAS ORCHID. BY BURKE JENKINS. The tale of an impecunious actor, his ‘‘ladye fayre,” and a trick with the telephone. ()* the day before Christmas Ben Stockton was low in funds and spirits. Ben was an actor—‘ out of a job.” It is true he hadn’t been so long, having: graced the shrine of matinée idolatry but the week before. Just at this time, however, the impe- eunious state coincident with the cessa- tion of his Thespian duties was particu- larly irksome. For, be it known, Ben had been paying most rigorous court to Bella Calvert. Now, Bella had admirers; Bella was wealthy; Bella was worth while. So is it any wonder that Ben tore his hair a little on this Christmas eve when he thought of a fitting gift and the price thereof ? Ben glanced ruefully from his window at the early darkening street, snow- banked and slushy. A florist’s delivery auto, in gorgeous, rubber-tired glory, stopped before the house. Go OOOKS AMUG A heavily gilded boy trotted up . (C@