e
day's checks for deposit just before three. Nothing wrong, I trust?"

Britt dropped into a chair, mopping his face. "Oh, no, nothing
_wrong_; but I'm afraid I've made a little mistake. I'm not a good
business man--not systematic--though I worry along. Like the young
wife's bookkeeping--'Received fifty dollars from John--spent it all.'
Fact is, I never entirely got over the days when a very short memory
was enough to keep track of all my transactions. Always forgetting
to fill out my stubs," he explained. "So I don't remember what bank I
checked on. But I'm pretty sure 'twas the Commercial, and my balance
there is low--not enough to cover your bill, I'm thinking." He leaned
back, his portly sides shaking with merriment. "By Jove!" he roared.
"It would have been a good joke on me if I hadn't remembered. Nice
introduction to a town where I expect to make my home. Oh, well, even
so, you had the furniture safe in your warehouse. Guess you wouldn't
have been much scared, eh?" He poked Mendenhall playfully with a
stubby finger. "Well, let's see about it."

Secretly, the other resented the familiarity, deprecated the
boisterous publicity with which the stranger saw fit to do business.
Business, with Mendenhall, was a matter for dignified and strictly
private conference. With stately precision he took up the neat bundle
of checks which he had just indorsed, ran them over, slipped one from
under the rubber band, and scanned it with great deliberation. He
could not afford to offend a good customer, but he could thus subtly
rebuke such hasty and slipshod methods.

"Yes, it is on the Commercial." He held it out inquiringly.

"Thought so!" snorted the other. "Dolt! Imbecile! Ass! I'll apply for
a guardian. Fix you out this time!" He whipped out fountain pen and
checkbook. "National Trust Company (guess I've got enough _there_).
Pay to J.C. Mendenhall & Co.--how much was that?"

He took the check from the unresisting Mendenhall, spread it out on
the desk with a sprawling gesture, tore it to strips with the same
impetuous vehemence, and threw it in the waste-basket. After this
brief outburst of anger his good humor returned. "Twelve-fifty. Here
you are. No mistake this time. Say, old man, that's the drinks on
me--come along!"

"Thank you, I never drink," returned Mendenhall primly. He had not
relished the roughness with which the other had snatched the check
from him, though making allowance for the natural annoyance of one wh