Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-02-19
CHAPTER Iv.--tContinuedI

L
"And TO think! The thing you were
bringing me was a lot Of lics-printed lies
10 msead honest men. 1t was to carry
this stuff TO me you went to the mill
Wet. the story will kept will keep.
An open circular would not have mised
you, but these people are so rich now
they can waste hundreds and thousands
of dollars on stamps. How long VIII II
be until dinner Is readyT
81 can have it ready in fifteen minutes
at most-maybe sooner"
There's no hurry. child. I'll be back
soon-Im going over to Jacks
The ironworker put his hat on and
left the house. He must talk to some
kindred spirt--Iack Jones was the man.
The ironworkcrs daughter was in the
act Of frying potatoes when gentle rap
on the door startled her. She DEITY
slipped the stove lid under the pan to
prevent the potatoes from burning in her
absence, and opened the door.
As she opened it a deep blush mantled
her face. The visitor was Arthur May
berry. He lifted his hat, bowed, begged
her pardon, looked disconnected, then
said:
Possibly l have made some mistake,
Miss Atherton.'
He glanced up at the number, blushing
furiously. Miss Atherton was quick.wit-
ted. She was noted among her friends
Tor always doing the right thing.
IF you will tell me what number you
are looking for. sir, maybe | can be of
some service to you"
Arthur Mayberry thought he had never
heard voice as musical as the iron
workers daughter possessed
"Why, there is some absurd mistake, |
dare say. | was looking for Number %. y
This is %. Pray come in"
He entered, and she closed the door,
while Mayberry produced a pocketbook
tok from it q small clipping from news
paper, and said:
II dare say the printer made a mistake
But it says %"
81 have no doubt il is right. What is
it?"
He handed the clipping to her.
please be seated. I've no doubt this
Is my fathers advertisement He has
been working on inventions many years
Then she handed him back the clipping
which he carefully replaced in his pocket
book
The clipping read:
ITO Capitalists-A practical ironwork
er, one who possesses fair knowledge
of mechanics, having perfected an inven
ton which will accomplish in four hours
the work which now consumes from thir
tysix to forty-eight hours, desires to dea
with some one whose resources, or cXpe
rience, or both, will prove worth half
interest in introducing the idea. Address
or call at Number % - street"
my father will be in in fifteen or TWEEN.
ty minutes at most" said Irene.
Mayberry suspected the truth He had
called at their dinner hour. He rose
replaced his hat, and placed his hand or
the knob Of the door, saying:
81 had no idea it was your father, Miss
Anterior. Please tell him | may cal
later in the day, or-l can see him in the
mill"
There was n sound of voices on the
street. AS Arthur Mayberry opened the
door, still looking at the ironworker's
daughter admiringly-he could not remove
his eyes from her-lrene started
The loudest voice was her fathers. He
was very angry. The other voice wa.
that of stranger.
1t was evident Mr.. Mayberry rccognia
ed her fathers voice. He thought he
recognized the voice that puzzled Irene
He could not step out, nor could he
act upon his first impulse and close the
door again, for that would simply be an
admission that he had heard all that was
laid on the street
He began to speak of the sudden death
of the manager of Star Mill, when the
voices on the street rose louder and sharp.
err. Atherton's voice was loudest.
IF you ever insinuate-if you ever
hint at that again-as sure as there is a
heaven above us"
''Hah! You threaten mer
You internal scoundrel! You--you-
villain! Go away, before am tempted tc
do something!'
The listeners heard a sneering laugh
The strange voice answered in low tone
then, suddenly and without warning, the
ironworker pushed his door wide open and
confronted his daughter and Mayberry
with pale face, and hands trembling
like one afflicted with a palsy.