GETTING A JOB.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10060, 30 January 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

GETTING A JOB.

(By J. J- Boms.)

■ Inte Slomin, after faithfully serving H jUieeu vears the bis corporation that H |l„i o r t d him, found himself worse of! Za when he started. The growth of his M and. consequently, his wants, had promotion and emoluH Beat 6 that accjue thereto. When a vacancy higher up occurred, H j. f re queotlv did, tome candidate with ghortcr record, bat a more aggressive H chcssen to fill it. Luke H was tc.,- a man in his own hamble H uasitwn to !*-• advanced to a better-paid c®e He wi.- irredeemably planted in H the'traditional rut. Too good and patient .ui oi was he to be entrusted with ■ t j, o Jutia, of a thoroughbred horse. jj e tuev.' much, but said little, and was of coarse tet <To\vn as a mediocre plodder. H jjj e mut t of his co-workers knew much H f, o t ;■;■/<! l crent deal more, parading H Jittk- knowledge so skilfully that little difficulty in outdistancing opportunity h:id ever knocked at his ■ f roa t d- ior. Luke, expecting a bill or in- | jtalment collector. had most likely fled by H the back one. and the caller, piqued at the ■ JjjJj 0 f courtesy, declined to repeat the ■ (Ja the other hand, "trouble"' was ■ a frequent visitor in one guise or anether, - h sickness, death, debt, and ■ doctors bilk. H Lake b'.re all patiently, though ft I tiiirtv his locks were frosting, while ■ ■ l face was lined with fnr- ■ jows. He -::* i his faithful wife had tearful- ■ j_ followed the remains of two little rneni- ■ jjjg of the family circle out to the EOmbre ■ il niping--roarKi beyond the city, where ■ (j e silent dweller? reck not of human ■ jtrife and struggle. H Lake's wife, to her undying credit, had. Mnabounded faith in her husband's ability. ■ Uiit the eye of love she saw beneath the ■ plain exterior the heart of a lion and the I son! of a master. Often she asked herself I watfully when would the genius of Luke I be recoinked and rewarded 1 y the powers B (hat controlled_ his cit'stir.y. ■ In the meantime Luke sadly contemplatled the cheap, patched, and made-over I clothing of his children, comparing them I jtloomily with those of their more fortu- | ■ jute playmates. His wife's faded "best I drees was decidedly shabby, and, though , ■ ilHIy donned it as cheerfuly as though it , I j?as*n«w and bright, Luke's sensitive eye . ■ canglt the thinly-veiled sneer of contempt j I levelled at it by their estimable neigh- , I bora. As for his own wardrobe, alas, I iris one pair of trousers, from many wash- ; I tnjß and pressings, had about reached the , I Btige of disintegration. The saw edge of , ■ collar gouged cruelly the neck it en- , ■ circled, while hat fcnd shoes were pre- J H jerredto the world only by the tenderest f ■ nursing. < ■ (wis Sunday, and Luke, who was la- a Hborionsty scraping the variegated stnbble Hfrgm his profound countenance, was mo- c checked by an exclamation from j. who, wife-like, was studiously scan- j. the advertisements in the Sunday s £ H "06, lake, listen to this 1" she cried. 0 ■ "I'm. listening." said Luke impassively, j, H \TiTTv read: "Wanted an energetic man a of taking hold of the transporta- J, end or one of the largest manufac- t H jiring concents in the country. Must be p H thoroaghly familiar with every detail of j hosuiea. Salary no object to the 0 m.m Write, stating references and t tc R.E_R., Sox 1012, Daily j. JSljr iud down the paper and looked Set fcisband expectantly. Only the Kicnpa of the razor replied. I "What do yon think of it?" Milly final- ; ■ frasJid. i I "Pant I" he answered briefly, stropping t ■til razor. I After a short spell, during which he ] ■reflectively tested the keenness of his ra■mr, he went on: "In the first place, the t.

larresfc manufacturing - concerns in tho country don't have to advertise for good men* They have r em. In the second place. I wouldn't hare a ghost of a chance lie multitude of 'good men* "who will cerin the third place, I couldn't fill it if I was lucky or ttnlucky to g*t a 'look in* at it. r ' "OK T nonsense, Luke, yoa good old Hear! Your'r** entirely too modest. That's your only fault. " Yore could fill itis. or any other position, if you only tried.' ' "Jig use. Milly/* Luke replied, preparing waeh. awav the traces of his tonsorial srtieal. "It's only wasting good stationtry and potitaiie. Besides. I've got a ; fib. Let some other fellow that has •one try for this one." 'Yes, you have one all right." Milly admitted with, a tinge of petulance, "and one where you are not appreciated. 4 *and where they advance yoonner men over vour head: and almost forget that you are Drive." "Weil, dearie/' he explained, '"a jobs ft job, you know. and in case I was to answer this thing, and by some funny chance get it. unci then didn't come up to flpecifeati'incs why down and out I'd . "0. and we would be worse off than ever.** j _ Mly pnt a few more pounds' prepare j mthe stramile-hoki she had secured round j Lake's neck. "Answer it. anyway. Just for fun. t dear." she ursed in Luke's ear. "You r faow what a lovely letter voli can write, j if von only half try." Thns. sweet I v cajoled. Luke eurren fed. ! The letter was written and mailed forthwith. It was no false boast on }lilly\« wt that ht-r wrote a good letter. In this particular case he excelled } himself. 'Htoagh encased in a shell of the most painful diffidence* Luke was far from fceinj the fr ( >l that many thought him. \ Quietly and unobtrusively he had been an orderly mass of practi- t cal and technical knowledge that would have been invaluable in his business to a man of mote forceful make-up. t EL , Gmn-z but little thought to the letter, Luke went to work - as usual Mon- c py morning, and again on Tuesday morn- I nig Tuesday nuht," on his return home. f it* was met at the door by Milly. and * <&sped in her arras in even tonder fashion i than CBcal. I Luke, whose domestic senses were finely trained, divined at once some little e stroke of food fortune. Perhaps Milly v Ifcd struck a great bargain—such as a <3 tor Joe at the ridiculously y "W pTice of one dollar and ninety-eight f< Perhan© the landlord had reduced tte rent. * l thns mildly. Luke re- f "pfiu his wife's embrace and wondered v *ttat they -were going to have for supper, d Hilly released him at last, he felt the £ Jckle of crumpled paper against Ids ear. h ■A letter, clutched in her hand, was the b of her jubilation. £ u oh. Luke, dear.'* she finally gurgled. I knew our luck was going to turn, "n isur letter is answered, and to-morrow a to iro and take tie position, and c Joy never could guess where it is." t . I-uke. scarce knowing whether to re- V joice or bemoan, reached; out his hand for s letter, which Milly almost hysteric- 1 '" nto ' E * " e The name of the corporation embla- I 2cc.ed across. its head made him gasp. The I letter short and pithy. t LrKZ SLOMAS : I Please call at main office of the Blue t Steel tompany on Wednesday, the j inst.. in reference to vour letter of the sth. " j. Yours, ets.. ; Robert E. Rosc-ok. Holy b n-„ ie T" was Luke's solo torn- ' lent. .The ir.ij::i: u."i r nf 11:e concern. ;md the J ot its. manager, were duly ' ■ ' we ll known to him. Fits audacity ' ippronohinc the one or the other was ®* a P«idaii\ As he gat limp, staring- at 1 piei', ; «f paper and the few curt ' ?«* '-ywwritten thereon, his wife stood ' J> OCT hands clasped in ecstasv and her shinmc. " • Jnst_ think of it! 'Salary no object.' : out it be lovelv? Oh! I'm so glad, " she bubbletl on. 1° • What for? asked Luke, a ' «e tastily. "Don't yoa see this letter I laerely an invitation to call and show J?® goeds. If y OQ can't show "era and 011 —bing! down vou go to I Jf-'l 1 lor " le n e -ft caniidate. I ' »,• Millr. that it's worth while l tolose the time to go and show the ' ] .l e K ot - It ain't in me. That's 1 ™ 6 of it," he finished falter-

Stilly, who could read lier Luke a clearly as a red, white, and bine adver tisement on the side of a six-storey build ing. sat beside him, and took his hand ii hers. ® '"Luke," she began, "you're the dearesi ' husband and the kindest father tbat evei . lived. You deny yourself everything J so' that the children and I can" hav< more. You think of yourself last, and your own expense, and have been doin: so for years; but yon know, Lnke dear"'— ' cuddling closer —"all that won't buy bread ' and meat or_pay the rent." You, know the five children are growing, and expenses ; are growing accordingly with no proepect : of an' increase in income. Xow, dear. you have ability. I know it if nobody 1 else does. All you want is confidence to succeed and Drove to others what I am L certain of. To-morrow morning, Luke, for my sake and the children's, vou will go bravely and apply for this position, and get it, too." She finished her speech with her head on his shoulder, to hide the salty rivulet that triekled from either eye. That settled it. Luke reported as usual next morning, and. with some misgivings, asked for the forenoon off. His request was readily granted by his chief, who, intending to be funny, asked Luke if he was sointr fishing. The suggestion apparently conveyed in the question startled Luke* into replving "Yes" guiltily, but with no thought of lying. He returned home to furbish up for the coming ordeal. It was alniost a matter of life and death witli him now, as he knew that Milly's heart and soul were wrapped in the success of his quest. Shaved-, washed, and brushed, and with Milly's God-speed kiss fresh on his lips, he set out to keep the appointment with the feelings of a condemned wretch on his way to execution. Milly watched him out of sight, with a fervid prayer for his success in her heart. As Luke neared his goal, his less began to tremble and his heart beat" with the qualms of a^ cowardly soldier approaching the firing-line. Cravenly he praved -onmhing—he cared not what—to hapoen that would prevent him keeping the tryst. = Xothing happened, and a few minutes before ten o'clock, he arrived—a limp imitation of a man—in front of the offices of the Blue Ridee Steel Company. The Pijnt itself covered landscape for acres around, but here in the foreground, like a corpulent sentinel before the citadel. stood the company's office. With nervous trembling he staggered in. He was stopped by an outer auard. who demanded his business. Dumbly he presented his letter of invitation and" was passed on Finally, a doddering image of his real self, he was ushered into the presence of Boscoe, who swung around expectantly from his desk as his visitor ambled slowly towards him. The terrified Lnke, almost blind with apprehension, saw only a round bullet head covered with a thatch that resembled new rye straw, and two bright little lamps shining questioninslv benealh. Unable to emit one intelligible word, Luke handed over the letter to the man beneath the head. The ogre glanced at it cursorily anv. laid it'down, his snappy eyes reading, criticising, and annarently condemning his terror-stricken visitor. Eoscoe, like Xapoleon, had the reputation of selecting his lieutenants from the ranks of the "men of backbone. Luke dimly remembered this, and quailed as the steely eye raked : hint up. down, and across. m. i Roscoe finished his scrutiny and reached into a pigeonhole, from which lie extracted ] Lukt-s carefully-written letter of applica- < tion. "Did you write thk?"' he inquired short. 1 "ies. * faltered Luke • guiltily, realising 1 to the full the enormity of the crime and

wonderinu' what sentence was to be imposed. Kotjcoe glanced at the letter, and then at the culprit a_'.iui, ;io if weighing on.against- the other. Where are you employed now?" Luke told him. ''What salary do you Luke Teplittf truthfully—the amount had never :ipn.-ar.d bo mntoniptibly small bef»»re. * By t[>- curl of hi-; interrogator's lip it vv;is evident- he was measuring Luke by the proposition: "'A man is worth what he can get." "How Ion l: have von employed there!" was the next curt inquiry. "Fifteen veare." ".Rapid advancement," sneered Rost-oe. contemptnouslv. "Vou muft be a wonder." Luke neither denied nor affirmed the accusation. Suddenly his tone. Rosooe aske<i him half a dozen shrewd questions pertaining to his knowledge and fitness for the responsible petition to which he aspired. Under ordinary circumstances Luke could have met them with convincing rejoinders. As it was, he knew not- what he said, but was certain that he was making a jackass of himself. [[i the midst- of his stammering a visitor was announced, and, to Luke's consternation, who should walk in but Van Glew, the arbiter of his fate—the manager of the concern that- employed him—the man who had ignored his claims many time?, when promotion seemed to be his just due. Tan Glew—the man for whom he had drudged thanklessly thc-ee fifteen years. Tan Glew recognised him, and, doubtless diving his errand, greeted him with a satirical Emile. Rosooe turned to greet Tan Glew, and, ifter shaking hands, remarked drily, glancing at Luke: "Don't seem to advance vour help very rapidly over at votir place." "Oh! I don't know." replied Tan Glew easily, "L'Uess they get their deserts there about as well as at- other places." He threw a withering look at the wretched Luke, who stood by, the most vivid picture of dejection that the mind could conceive. Roscoe and Tan Glew put their heads together, and, paying no further heed to Luke, engaged in a whispered conversation that apparently had no connection wih him, as they entirely ignored his presence. He backed away, his one idea being to efface hnaself and make his escape. He was neither obsequious nor cringing, only diffident, so infernally diffident that he would have tied there and then only for ■ fear that he might offend somebody. He almost cursed the temerity that had led him into such a predicament. He foresaw what Tan Glew, in revenge would certainly arrange for his prompt dismissal. Be thought of his wife, but, far from blaming her, the poor fellow's heart nearly broke when he contemplated her sorrow and disappointment- at his failure. As ho backed slowly away from the vicinity of the desk, he bumped clumsily against the office-boy carrying an. armful of books. The books were, of course, thrown to the floor, and t-he boy, whose keen perception informed him that Luke's standing in the place was not high—insolently grumbled at .hiin to get off the earth. Luke would have gladly profited by the advice had an avenue been open, lie did the next best- thing, which was to side-step hastily. Swinging down the floor, with jangling liangles and nodding pompadour, swept the lady typewriter, self-conscious and blooming. Luke, with characteristic anxiety to keep oat- of everybody's way, moved in the wrong direction to give her the road, and, accidentally, touched one of her dainty feet with one of his clumsy onee. A supercilious stare smothered his stuttering apology, and as the vision, swept by, his sensitive ear caught her ladylike comment: '•Dub!" He (lushed to the ears. He still had no thought of malice or rancor. He justwanted to obliterate himself from human view. The two men finished their conversation and Tan" Glew took his leave, shooting a glance at Luke that appeared to be weighted with malevolence. Roscoe presently looked up and perceiving Lake, smiled grimly. "Ho! bo ! You here yet?" he asked. '"Yes," whispered Luke. "Still want that job?" asked Roscoe tantalisingly. Luke, not knowing whether he did or not, refused to answer. In fact, the power of speech had well-nigh deserted him. "So yoa think yoa could fill it, eh?" went cm Rosooe, ignoring Lake's silence,

as or perhaps taking it as a sign of assent r "Ilow much salary do you expect?" d- Luke looked at him dumbly and shool in his head helplessly. "Hope your expectations ain't too big.' st pursued Roscoe sardonically. "This posi er tion pays five thousand a year! Thmi ig you're worth more?" .e Luke, with just- about enough wit left id to realise that he was being made sport ig of, managed to gasp, "Xo." "Modest, eh ? That's good. Have you d got any sand?" Roscoe demanded quizzing cally. :s ''l guess not," stammered Luke, pray--t ing that ihis cruel tormentor would order r, him oilt and have done with it. i' "iS'o ? Well, I doubt tliat. I want a 0 man with sand—also a versatile one. Sup " pose I give you a try-out," he continued, r gazing abstractedly out of the window. ® Suddenly he started up. "See that 1 broom over there?" he inquired, pointing to a comer of the room. ' Luke, mucli mystified at the suddefi t change of tone, intimated that he did. "Well, get diold of it and go over there across the court and du6t- off tliat • brick wall," commanded I'oscoe without the least* trace of a smile. : Duinfounded, Luke gaped at him, and 1 asked himself hazily if the man was crazy ■ or merely a cruel joker. "Go ahead!" cried Roscoe impatiently. 1 "That's one of the preliminary try-outs." He fixed Luke with a steely eye, in which lurked no sign of a joke. Like a man hypnotised, Luke obeyed. Ho picked up the broom and, opening the door, stumbled blindly across t.he dusty court- into which fell a perpetual shower of black dust- from the surrounding stacks. IV. In the meantime Roscoe sat chuckling at his desk, taking an occasional sidelong look at the poor devil undergoing the "preliminary try-out." Kmbedded here and there in corners of the wall on which Luke was exercising his executive ekiil were numerous little harmless-looking lumps of mud. To the initiated they would have .appeared sufficiently ominous. Luke, almost ready to collapse with the various emotions rending his soul, heeded them not. The inmates of the little mud houses, surprised and hurt by the invasion of their homes, fled out, and made a concentrated attack on their innocent enemy. It is no joke to be stung by a wasp—still less of a joke to be stung by a dozen or so. Luke, whose feelings had already been sadly lacerated', now experienced the double misfortune of having acute physical pain added to his normal hurts. After a sting or two, he grasped the nature of the new vicissitude that beset him, and perforce instituted a vigorous campaign of retaliation. Industriously he swung his broom in widening circles, but in vain. Ximbly the little torments penetrated his guard, and carefully planted their venomous shafts in the exposed portions of his anatomy He was so busy that- he did not haver ] time to be surprised when he caught liimself enunciating a good, hearty swear ] word. It was a long time since he had used profanity. ' Actively employed as he was in repelling , boarders, he caught the soimd of a laugh. •Several grimy faces, thrust from near-by | windows, grinned in unison, and- Luke, ■ through half-closed eyes, perceived them t and grew still warmer. If the wasps | stung his flesh, the laughter stung his ' feelings. ( "You bunch of boneheads!" yelled Luke, as he circled round, • what are you laugh- \ ing at?" His outburst. of course, provoked more • laughter, which in turn provoked more ; curses, heartier and sincerer than the first, f To the curses he supplemented a dial- i lenge to any one or all of the smiling i window gazers to come out and be licked. None accepted. i Roaming about in a far corner of the i

yard was Billet, Roscoe's pet dog, a canine plc-asing neither in feature nor in disposition. Attracted by the unwonted noiseon his own territory, he trotted over to the scene of action. Luke perceived his new enemy in time to brush aside his initial attack with the working end of the broom. liillet, not to be denied, returned to the, attack with tho per.sistem-e ot' the thoroughbred. Luke mot- his second rush with such a satisfactory kick in the ribs that the beast- was hoisted several feet in the air. ' Hey! What do you mean by kicking that- dog?" came the truculent inquiry from a- husky workman, emerging from the mill-door on the run. Luke, whose habitually pacific soul had been stung and harassed beyond endurance, was overjoyed at tlie approach of a human foe. "I'd rather kick the man that owns the dog!" he shouted, Hinging down the broom and starting eagerly to meet the newcomer. liillet immediately attacked him from the rear, and this time made successful connection with the calf of Luke's leg. Unmindful of the clinging dog and the swarming wasps, Luke rushed furiously at the man. He had never classed himself as much of a fighter, and in consequence had never indulged in any fighting. Hence, he put- all the strength and sincerity of a lifetime into the blows he delivered on the jaw of his hairy-chested opponent-. So swift and precise were the smashes, that the mill-hand, who had taken it upon himself to defend his master's dog, had never a chance to return or evade them. He went- down and stayed down. Luke, standing over him—seemingly unconscious of the snarling dog fastened to his leg—cast a wild-eyed look at the row of heads protruding from the windows. "Come outside here, now, and bray, you drove of grinning jackasses!" he screamed, the red fire of battle in his veins, "dome out here and enjoy your laugh good." The men at- whom his challenge was hurled, had at first- taken him for a harmless clown. They now judged him a bloodthirsty maniac, and unanimously declined the chance to joust with him. Also they quit laughing and drew in their heads. Luke was indeed infuriated to the point- of madness. Reaching down, he seized the snarling dog by the throat, and tore him loose, carrying away flesh and trousers-leg without a wince. He flung the beast savagely against the brick wall, _ at about the spot where the wasps' nests " were thickest. The impact Tendered Billet temporarily, at least, a noncombatant.' Bent, on vengeance on the author of his humiliation, he dashed full speed across the yard toward the door, throngh which he passed into the building. V. The observant Mr Roscoe, who had missed nothing of the drama in the courtyard, beheld Luke's approach and pre- . pared for defence. From an umbrella stand he selected a sturdy walking-stick, ; and stood on guard. Kery-eyed and hatless, Luke burst in; with his swollen face and dishevelled appearance he was transformed from a timid < nondescript to a spectacle fearsome and 1 grotesque. The lady typewriter took one look and fled, screaming. Roscoe, though he quailed not, felt a pang of remorse as he contemplated the man before him. "You red-headed pirate!" yelled Luke. 'Til teach you to play yonr two-cent tricks on honest, inoffensive men. This company will be looking for a new general manager in about a- minute." He advanced with murder in his gleaming eye. "Hold on a minute! Go slow! I want to. explain," soothed Roscoe, tightening his grip on the stick. "Explain after I get through with you—if you'Te able!" roared Luke, making his rush. Down came the bludgeon. Perhaps Luke's head was club-proof. Perhaps its wielder did not put his accustomed vigor in the stroke. At any rate, it hit the mark, but was brushed aside unheeded. Luke closed in Telentlessly, tore the weapon from Roscoe's hand and flung it through the window. With demoniac strength he seized Roscoe by the shoulders, and with a sudden forceful jerk brought- his head toward him, at the same time ducking his own head so as to strike hi victim between the eyes with his skull. The general manager fell limply, to the fIoOT as he was flungbackward. All was uproar. The frightened clerks flitted here and there in excited fear. One of them finally plucked tip courage to telephone to headquarters for a squad of

t. policemen to come and round-up a murderous madman. >k Nevei- in his life had Luke created such. a furore. Pausing a moment to view his " work, which, appeared to be sufficiently i- well done, he started for the way out. Ik His lust for war was nearly satisfied. The minion who guarded the outer door, ft with unexpected valor, sought to inter:'t cept him at the threshold. Futile attempt. Luke was restless. The Teekless oi sentry was overthrown with such ferocity i-. that a stout chair was wrecked in the overthrow. r. The way in front was clear; but there r was an enemy in the rear who still bad to be reckoned with. Billet was 011 his a. trail. 1 i- As Luke pressed through the outer door j he encountered still another adversary. It was one of the mill-hands, armed with t a monkey-wrench. If his first .impulse r Tiad been one of hand-to-hand fight, the fierce look that Luke threw at him caused 1 him to modiiy it. Stepping aside, he let the wrench fly at the unfortunate fugi- • tive. ; ■ The missile went true, striking Luke , on the side of the head and cutting a companion gash to the one inflicted by ; Roscoe's stick, thus enhancing his already terrifying appearance. The marksman fled for his life-—hut not quickly enough. Luke was after and on top of him like a- flash. Even a 6 he lit 011 the fellow's shoulders and bore him to earth, Billet again injected himself into the proceedings, by fastening himself to Luke. ■ Dealing the wench-thrower a few lusty blows, Luke again turned bis attention to Billet. Tearing him loose at the cost of more flesh and trousers, he strangled him with both hands, and then, with one prodigious kick, actually punted him through the open window into the office. As Luke turned to resume his interrupted retreat, he ran fairly into the arms of a policeman. Down went the two in close embrace, the policeman carried underneath by the force of Luke's rush. His head met- the pavement with a resounding crack. For the moment he was out. Releasing himself, the conquering Luke again sprang to his feet, and into a long sprint fcfr home. ' VI. 1 People along his route marvelled at the f spectacle of a wild man, hat-less and J bloodied, with fluttering, torn trousers ; and streaming hair, tearing like mad down the middle of the street, pursued by ' a yelling throng of men and boys and a < couple of puffing policemen. e Following close came a read-haired man I with two blackened eyes, and a hand- £ kerchief pressed to a bleeding nose. As in t the fistic trials, so Luke came off vie- 1 tor in the running match. He reached 1 his door a good hundred feet in advance f of his nearest competitors, who happened to be two policemen. The door : was open, and he rushed in, almost 1 frightening his poor wife to death. "Oh. Luke'' she gasped, pallid to the ; lips. ""What, in Heaven's name " c "Oh, nothing much," Luke panted grim- f ly. "Only I didn't land that job. But 1 I wouldn't be surprised if I got- another, s They are at the door now trying to coax t me to take it." " c The police were clamoring for admittance, and Luke signed for his' trembling 1 wife to admit them. The intrepid cops f entered cautiously, as they realised they s had a desperate criminal to deal with. 1 Their quarry, his flash of rage abated, sat f calmly awaiting them. s "tSurrender!" shouted the officers with e weapons ready. 0 ".My hands are up," 6aid Luke quietly. "I suppose I may as well so along now as later. But, if I wanted to make a o fight of it, I kind of think I could make I it interesting," he added with a tighten- t ing of the lips. v Millv was now clinging to him, weep- v ing bitterly. She had no idea what- hor- a rible calamity had befallen; but was sure s

that Luke was the unconscious victim of some devilish machinations. "Come on," urged the police nervously, fearing another spasm on the part- of their intended prisoner. "Let go, Milly," said Luke gently, "Thinirs will come out all right, I guess." He was dubious about things coming out all right, but hesitated to make them worse, by another outburst, and rose to Through tile crowd that filled the street before the door a sturdy red-haired man cut a path, lioth his eyes were black, and with a bloody hankeruhief be wiped his face. It was the great Roscoe. With characteristic push he threw aside the idle onlookers, and without knocking, opened the door and entered the house. He strode into the room just as the policemen were ISading their unresisting prisoner out 6f it. "Hold on!" he commanded with the voire of authority. "What are you going to do with this man?" "Take him to gaol, of course," answered the officers in unison. "What for?" demanded Roscoe. "For 'assault, I suppose, and maybe worse, for all I know," replied one of the policemen impatiently. "Who's the complainant?;' inquired the steel man insistently. The policemen looked at each other questioningly. Neither could Bay. "What is it to you, anywnv?" asked one of them gruffly. A returning gleam of passion shone in Luke's eye at the appearance of Roscoe on the scene. It was purely out of regard for his wife that he restrained himself from reopening the conflict. As for Milly, she knew not whether to regard the newcomer as a friend or foe. "Well," said Roscoe, replying :o i'.-e question of the officers, "I guess it's something to me, considering that I'm the only complainant in the case with any ground for. complaint. I haven't much ground at that," be finished, smiling queerly at Luke out of his damaged eyes. "If you've got anything to say, come along, and say it at the station-house, and let us get out of here." returned the spokesman of the two. Again he started to move toward the door. - "Oh, no," said lioscoe. with tion. "I'll say it right here, and 1 guess it will go, too. This man has had about enough; but in case he happens to be wanted, I standi responsible for his appearance. My name is Robert K. Koscoc. Is that good enough security?" he inquired coolly. The policemen, who had not recognised him before, were now perfectlv willing to leave their prisoner in his custody, when he produced sufficient proof of his identity. This be did in the shape of cards and lett-ers. The officers made their exit, leaving him alone with Luke and his wife. As thev walked out, Luke remembered, their associate whose head he had banged against the pavement, and shudderingly wondered if he would be able to put in a complaint. Roscoe and Luke faced each other for a moment in silence, the former with an inscrutable grin on his battered face, the latter with a sullen look of expectation. "Well," said Roscoe at length, "you . came through the preliminary try-out with a few scars, I see." , Luke, not seeing the point, and not being sure that there was one," stared at his questioner and remained silent. "Got sand, too," 'went on Roscoe. "I thought you had it." Milly, whose early terror had given way to mystification, began to suspect that things were not so bad as they looked. Luke still refused to commit himself by opening his mouth. He wondered vaguely if-Roscoe hadi followed him home for tlie purpose of continuing the torture. ' "Now,' then," pursued Roscoe, "the thing- is—do you want that job I asked you Before antl you refused to tell me." "I don't know," answered Luke, "whether I do not not." > "Do you think you're capable?" asked Roscoe ■with a peculiar smile. "Yes/' almost shouted Luke. '"As capable as you are for that matter." "That's better," smiled Roscoe, with no sign of annoyance. "I believe I .mentioned a figure, didn't I? Is it- satisfactory?" Be turned to Milly with a bow. "Five thousand a year, madam, I'm offering your husband." Poor Milly gasped and nearly swooned ; but could find no word to reply. A 6 for Lube, he tried to crack a smile. But the wasps had builj/neat little knolls and" mounds about ihis face,' so that smiling was a punishment. . "How about you " asked Roscoe, turning again to Luke. "Are-you. on? It's a Dona fide offer. I want you."

"I'm on -all right," answered Lube, with surprising- nerve. ''And: I want- to li tell you that I can fili that job, too." > s "I know it," xetorted Roscoe. "There's f a look about your eye that I liked right . from the start. Then. Van Glew told me a thing or two —against his "will—that , didnt-do you any harm. But I confess I - was undecided 1 -and sent you out in fhe - yard against the - wasps, hoping to wake 3 you up and put a little ginger into you. r Of course, I never figured on the other i things that happened. All the same, the more of you I've seen the better I like s you. I "I forgive you these black eyes. I dei serve them. But you will have to reciprocate a little and forgive me for all the ■ battle; scars' you are -carrying." Roscoe held out his hand with the abandon and cordiality of a boy. Luke grasped it heartily. "When you rret in shape, come down to the' office, and we'll talk over the details," : concluded Roscoe. "Any more preliminary try-outs?" inquired": Luke, hie sense of humor returning with improvine- fortune. "No. We'll get right down to the finals," called back Roscoe as he passed the portal. He glanced bac- and saw Milly fall sobbing on Luke's shoulder. Between sobs she said: "Oh! Luke, dear, think what we can do for the children' new. And you can get a new suit." She didn't- even think of a new dress for herself. Womanlike, motherlike Jlilly!