“Why, how are you, Colonel!” he exclaimed with affected heartiness. “Well, well; we thought you were dead.”
“So I hear!” observed the Colonel, and looked at him so coldly that Blount blushed and withdrew his outstretched hand. “So I hear, sir!” he repeated, “but you were misinformed–I have come back to protect my rights.”
“He took all your stock,” cried the Widow, vindictively, “on a loan of eight hundred dollars. And now he won’t give it back.”
“Never mind,” returned the Colonel. “I will 307attend to all that if you will go in and cook me some dinner. And next time I leave home I would recommend, Madam, that you leave my business affairs alone.”
“But Henry,” she began, but he gazed at her so sternly that she turned and slipped away.
“And you, sir,” continued the Colonel, his words ringing out like pistol shots as he unloosed his wrath upon Blount, “I would like to inquire what excuse you have to offer for imposing on my wife and child? Is it true, as I hear, that you have taken my stock on a loan of eight hundred dollars?”
“Why–why, no! That is, Colonel Huff─”
“Have you the stock in your possession?” demanded the Colonel peremptorily. “Yes or no, now; and no ‘buts’ about it!”
“Why, yes; I have,” admitted Blount in a scared voice, “but I came by it according to law!”
“You did not, sir!” retorted the Colonel, “because it was all in my name and my wife had no authority to transfer it. Do you deny the fact? Well, then give me back my stock or I shall hold you, sir, personally responsible!”