y. Checkers picked
up a handy piece of scantling, and running up the steps, turned and
faced his father-in-law.

"Now, see here, old man," he exclaimed, "I 've taken as much of your
slack as I 'm going to--see? I tell you you can't come into this
house; and I give you fair warning, if you put your foot on one of
those steps I 'll smash you over the head;" and he swung his weapon
threateningly to his shoulder. "What I 've made or lost is mine, not
yours," he continued, "and it don't 'cut any pie' with you--you'll
never get a cent of it. My wife is mine, not yours, and I 'll take
care of her, what ever happens. But she is n't well, and the doctor
said any sudden excitement might kill her. I 'll tell her gradually
and quietly, and go down to Little Rock this noon and see if there 's
anything can be done. If I 'd let you tell her you 'd break the news
with an ax, and I tell you I ain't going to have it; so just 'jar
loose,' and 'pull your freight.'"

There was something in Checkers' determined look which cowed the old
man, but he would n't go without a last word. "Well, ye 'll both o' ye
end a couple of paupers and die in the poorhouse if this keeps up," he
said, "with your fancy furniture and trips to Chicago. How much did
you have in that bank?"

Just here Pert appeared in the doorway. Checkers' threatening attitude
and her father's question, which she overheard, surprised and startled
her. "What is it?" she cried, putting her arm around Checkers and
disarming him gently.

"Nothing much," he began.

"Nothing much," interrupted her father, "except that the Little Rock
bank is busted, and all yer money's gone."

Checkers reached for his stick, but Pert restrained him. "Never mind,
dearest," she said, "it may not be as bad as you think--things never
are; and we 've got the house and the farm, and the bonds; and,
whatever happens, we 've got each other."

"Yes; you 've got each other," said the old man cynically, "and that's
all ye will have, if things goes this way. If yer goin' to Little
Rock, boy," he said sharply, consulting his old silver watch, "ye must
hurry; ye ain't more 'n time to make it now."

Checkers saw that this was so, and going to his room, made a hasty
toilet. "Good-bye, Pert, darling," he said, as he emerged, catching
her up and embracing her lovingly. "I 'll be back soon; don't mind
what he says;" and with a warning glance at Mr. Barlow, he hurried off
down the road toward the st