The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-28
occupied mind did not dwell long upon II. and
by the time he hAd reached the wall OF the old
RArden the Incident was forgotten.
CHAPTER vi.

vi.
Relieved Of Clarence Brant's embarrassing
presence. Jim Rocker did not refuse to avAi
himself Of that opportunity to expound to the
farmer and his family the immense wealth
influence. and importance Of tho friend who
had lust left him. Although Clarence's plan
had suggested reticence. Hooker could not
iorsco the pleasure OF informing them that
'Caar" Brant had Just offered TO let him into
IN extensive land speculation. He had previ-
ously declined q large share or original loca-
ton In a mine Of Carence's. now worth
a million. because It was not "his style"
But the land speculation in a country OF
unsettled titles and lawless men. he need
not remind them. required some expert
snce OF border warfare! He would not
say positively. although he left them to draw
their own conclusions with gloomy signih.
canoe. that that was why Clarence had sought
him. With this dark suggestion he took leave
OF Mr.. and Mrs. Hopkins and their daughter
Phoebe the next day. not without some natural
human emotion and peacefully drove his tea m
and wagon into the settlement OF Fair Plains.
He was not prepared. however, for a sudden
realization OF his imaginative prospects. A few
davs AFTER his arrival In Fair Plains. lie re-
ceived n letter from Clarence explaining
that he had not time to return to
Hooker to consult him. but had. neverthe.
less. fulfilled his promise by taking adv9n-
taee OF an opportunity OF purchasing the
Spanish Sister s. title to certain unoccupied
lands near the settlement. As these lands in
part Joined the section already preGmpted and
occupied by Hopkins. Clarence thought that
jim Hooker would choose that part for the
sake Of his neighbours company. He enclosed
also a draft on San Francisco for . sum suf-
ficient to enable Jim to put up a cabin and
stock" tho property. which lie begged he
would consider In the light Of a loan to be
paid backAn installments only whom the prop
srty could afford it. At the same time II Jim
was In difficulty he was to inform him. The
letter closed with q characteristic Clarence
like minglinR OF enthusiasm and older wis.,
dom. II wish you luck. Jim. but I
see no reason why you should trust
to 1t. l don't know Of anything that
could keep you from making your.
solf Independent Of any one. il you 60 to work
with q long aim and don't fritter away your
chances on short ones. II I were you. old
fellow. I'd drop the plains and the Indtans out
OF my t~honehts-or at least out OF my talk-for
a while. They won't help you in tho long run.
The people who believe you will BIO jealous OF
you: those who don't will look down upon you.
and II they get to questioning your little Iu-
loulduCoSs Jluls ticS IL W hpL " QucollOu
your civilized facts. That won't help you in
the ranchinR business-and that's your only
real grip now" For tho space Of two or three
hours after this Jim was reasonably grateful
aud even subdued. SO much so that his EN-
ploysr. to whom he conided his good fortune.
confessed that he believed him from
that unusual fact alone. Unfortunately.
neither he practical lesson conveyed in
this grim admission nor the ent
Of gratitude remained long with jim.
Another idea had taken possession OF
his fancy. Although the lund nom
in his bill Of sale had been except on
the occasion Of his own temporary halt there
always unoccupied. u%nsouRht. and unclaimed.
and although he was amply protected 10y legal
certificates. he gravely collected a posse OF
three or four idlers from Fair Plains. armed
Them ut his own expense. and in the dead OF
night took belliGerent and forcible possession
Of the peaceful domain which the weak Eener-
osity and unheruc dollars OF Clarence had
purchased for him. A martial camp Ore tenn
percd the chill night winds to the pulses Of the
and enabled them to sleep on their
arms In the field they had won. The morning
sun revealed to the astonishsd HopEins family
The embstled plain beyond. with It's armed
Only then did Jim Hooker condsscend
10 explain the rea son of his warllke occupation.
with dark hints OF the outlying "squattsrs
and Jumpers" whose incursions their bold
1858 alone had rspulsed. The effects OF this
situation upon the two women.
With the slight fascination OF danger impaired
their quiet lives. may we'll be imagined.
owing to some incautious question
ing by Mr.. Hopkins. and some doubts Of the
discipline and sincerity of his posse. Jim dis
them that next day. but during the
Of his cabin By some peaceful carpen-
ters from tho settlement he returned to his
gloomy preoccupatlon and the os%tentatious
OF his revolverA As an opulent and
neighbor he took his meals with the
family while his house was being built and
generally impressed them with q sense Of 30.
,urity they had never missed.
Meantime Clarence. duly informed OF the
in stallation OF jim as his tenant. underwent a
trial. 1t was necessary for his plans
that this should be kept . secret at present.
Ind this was no easy thing for his h~abitually
rank and open nature. He had once men,
toned that he had met Jim at the settlement.
but the information was received with such
Indifference by susy and with marked disiavor
By Mrs. Peyton that he said no more. He ac-
Peyton in his rides around the
fully possessed himself OF tho details
Of its boundaries. the debatable lands held by
the enemy. and listened with beating pulses.
but a hushed tongue. to his hosts iIl-con-
ceiyed misgivings. You see. Clarence. that
lower terrace" he said. pointing to q far
longitudinal plain beyond the corral.
1t extends from my corral to Fair Plains.
That is claimed by the Sisters title. and as
things appear to be going II a division OF
the land is made it will DO theirs. It's bad
to have this best grazing land lying