The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-29
ADeal6WldLandS
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Fight for The MQsseblel Millions.
BY LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER III.-(ContInued.)

'hension Hiram Sklooer sno6 aI nlm
escaped his notice.
aAs you know" pursued Jerry, @them
Hands jine my hundred and sixty on the
east, and are wuth more to me than any
one else. I not only want 'em for
range for my cattle, but think I might
sell q forty or two for trifle to Col
Whipsaw, one of my neighbors
II should think you might" said the
merchant smiling sarcastically.
@Of course you've been very kind to
me, Hiram," continued the visitor, ito
give me the use of these lands so long
lest for the taxes, but we're both getting
old, and If you should die and. your es-
tate be divided, there might be no end OF
trouble, and so told Daisy I'D come and
buy these lands Of you while she's getting
rested little from her long journey"
"How much will you give me for my
half interest, Jerry?"
swell, thought three hundred dollars
might strike you as fair offer, Hiram, ="
replied the visitor, @and so I've brought
you the money"
The merchants sarcastic smile deep
ened as his brother drew out pocket
book which looked as II a considerable
slice of the Rocky Mountains had at
some time fallen upon 1t.
aDon't be 80 fast, jerry" he said.
@Now that you are here, I'll show you
the sights o week or two, and then We'll
20 to Montana together. Nothing would
please me moro than to see how you
have been living all these fourteen
years"
Jerry waved his hand in nervous i'm
patience.
sAll that is very kind, Hiram" he de-
elared, "but business Is business, and I
must get the little matter Of the lands
off my mind before I can take q step
with you"
The merchant surveyed him again in
quiringly, not little interested by his
clothes, which looked as II he had taken
them from some scarecrow he had en-
countered in his travels. .
II couldn't think Of selling you the
lands In this off-handed fashion, jerry"
no then said. @Wait till l have looked
them over in person"
= @Nonsense. Let ne have the deed
now."
- "But three hundred dollars, Jerry?"
returned the merthant. 34ou must re-
member that these lands cost me five
thousand. Probably, too, l could MAKE
better terms with Colonel Whipsaw than
you can. Let's wait"
mo, Hiram, protested Jerry. There's
no time like the present. Give me the
deed now, and III make tho payment
five hundred dollars"
sThat's more like it," commented the
merchant, still wearing his quizzical
smile, "but must have thousand"
"a thousand?" repeated Jerry, catch
ing at the remark as an offer.
II mean q couple OF thousand"
amended the merchant 81 couldn't
think Of taking cent less really
couldn't"
aWell, let me have the deed now and
I'll give you two thousand" returned
the visitor, with evident eagerness. 3Oh,
yes, I have the money right here" he
added, surprising peculiar look on his
brothers face. *Here it Isl"
He drew out a large wallet and opened
It, showing that it was full OF green
backs
sYou surprise me, cried Hiram. u
thought you barely made q living in
Montana!"
~True. But what is SO, ,00o?"
"A mere nothing, to be sure. And
that's why won't sell the land for that
sum, now that think more about it, !"
declared the merchant. "Ill hold the
property forever, Jerry, ii can't get
the sum 1t originally cost me-"
~Do you mean it?"
Absolutely"
~,Fhen 1 shsll have to give you the
amount said Jerry" @The fact is, Daisy
is about to marry man uamed Sam
GGddlcr, who has nothing, and want
him to have this property for sheep
ranch. Five thousand it is, then. Give
me the deed and I'll count you ont
the money"
sNot to-day, Jerry. Give me time to
write to Colonel Whipsaw. Let me get
his opinion as to what the price ought
to be-"
1.-The Colonel's away. Hiram, travelling
somewhere in Europe returned Jerry,
getting more and more nervous every
moment. @He has been gone whole
year, and no one knows when he'll be
home again."
@Then I must write to the postmaster
of Musselshell, or to some other person
who is on the spot" protested the mer-
chant GHow do I know that these
lands are worthless? May there not be
gold mine upon them?"
He went on in this way until the face
Of his brother was beaded with perspira-
sion, and then thrust under his gaze the
letter he had received from Colonel
Whipsaw. Of Rattlcsnake Ranch.
~Read that" he said.
Jerry complied, turning all sorts OF
eolors, and finishing with bowl OF con-
sternation.
sand now tell me what this means,
commanded Hiram.
at means-that there Is gold there,
painted Jerry.
@Ah, though so! Go on"
@Jest how much I can't say" contin-
ned Jerry, returning the Colonel's letter,
~but am willing to risk $50, 900 upon
your half INTEREST,""
II should want cash, jerry"
II have it with me-"
@Besides, should want at least a
hundred Thousand dollars for the prop
erty, jerry" announced the merchant.
~In fact won't take cent less, now
that pegIn 10 see what the situation OF
affairs Is Colonel WhipSaw will doubt
less arrange with me for the property il
you don't want it For 500, 900, Jerry,
II You say So"
"Well; l do say it," interrupted the
visitor eagerly. "Give me the deed!"
"That's big pile of money, Jerry"
Nevertheless, l have it with me
Hiram.
aIt doesn't seem possible Let me sec
it."
The visitor produced the amount in 6
not very bulky wad from an inner pock
et with the remark: