The Washington times., 1903-02-01
SOU of Land SpeCuaOT Showing That Love Finds Its WaU
Even in a Strictly Business Transaction

cealed. were certain deeds which would
have shown him to be the New York
Syndicate" itself. He had doomed his
own land.
Farther on the carriages turned.
From bere TO the lake is Mrs. Argu-
clos" one of the party explained, sig
nificantly.
Stanley nodded; then his eyes wan
dered over the broad acres with a slow.
deliberate glance.
I think I'll buy that" he said at
last. Not, of course he hastily added,
''untii-nor unless-the lady desires TO
sell But money buys pretty things, and
ladies like"
There he broke off and winked most
unexpectedly at the mayor, who was
seated beside him.
Shortly after returning to the hotel
Mr. Flint was aroused from a smoke
enshrouded reverie by the entrance Of a
visitor Having instructed the clerk
that he was out" he was surprised in
that most unbUsinessIike occupation of
doing nothing. He at once dived among
a mass of papers on the table with
an air of serious concern. laugh.
however, in masculine vol . and in
dicative of amusement. caused him to
look up. and he quickly swept the pa
DeTs aside, at the same time rendering
a cigar case to the intruder.
The newcomer was the managing
agent Of the New York Syndicate" by
name Robert CIergue. and in appear
ance StanIey's double. Locking the door.
he dropped Iazily into a chair and ac-
cepted the profered cigar.
Well" he observed, the bunco goes
merrily on. The offer you made me on
the road is already the talk of the
whole town.
Stanley grinned. Then his face cloud
ed. and for several moments he was 81
lent
Bob, he said. finally, did you ever
have a conscfence2"
Certainly" was the nonchalaut re-
ply. It's like my soul-asserts itself
when I'm dead"
The other made hasty gesture Of
/ imDatience.
I'm talking straight. Bob. he re-
turned. gravely When man has
been a thief all his life. and then be
gins to feel wobbly under his collar
button. is that conscience?"
''No-that means wine or woman.
When it takes the get-off- the-earth
phase, IL means cards. But what's han
pened-did the black eyes accomplish
with you what the bullet failed to eff
feet with Danton >"
"Daaton's an idiot" was the forcibIe
rejoinder. He couldn't buy a spool of
/ thread without ccnfscating every .ot-
ton field along the Mississippi River
But don't talk Of him. Pay him and
set hEu out of town.
You're not going to give in?" Bob
queried, somewhat anxiousIy.
Give in" Stanley calculated. How
can give in? The woman can never
pay for Danton's monuments to human
imbecility, and she'll have 10 sell. Of
course I shall buy, but. after what
have seen, could she in anyway raise
he money to save herself. I should not
be sorry-tIlen there would be no need
to unlold a half-fnished hotel on some
stock company"
But. with nothing to shout about.
the syndicate lots would soon be Gem
eteTy Of twenty dollar pieces"
Stanley regarded his partner with
look of amusement; then his smile
broadened until it found vent in a hear
ty laugh.
Bob" he returned. your mind is re-
turning TO the Danton level He would
look for broadcloth in a brick yard
he'd get bricks thrown at him. though.
The fact that-owing TO later develop
ments-I don't particularly care TO buy.
doesn't prevent my making aerial offers
and seeming-to all intents and purposes
about to close the bargain. Tonight
shall go out there and-uGder the cir
cumstances-shaIl probably return with
the place in my pocket; but supposing
I shouldn't? Why, my dear boy, it's
perfectly plain, I have already stated
publicly that I shall buy it, and these
people are delightfully."- creduIous- In the
meantime the franchise shall be granted.
1 shall begin 20 lay rails at once, shall
construct the hotel-on papeT-and you
viii dispose of the syndicate lots. Then.
should they move rather sEswly, and we
actually need Mrs. ArgueIIo's land. why
that will be-and should have been-the
time TO use force; but think that when
the time comes we shall be watching the
parachute gracefully descend. as We
have sometimes done before"
Bob bent forward and extended his
hand. Neither spoke, but their eyes met.
and in that glance there was mutual
comprehension deeper. perhaps. than
could have been expressed by mere
words.
Daylight was giving place TO darkness,
and the moon was rising above the dis
tant foothills. when Stanley left the
hotel and once more was driven along
the road to the lake At the gate he
aIighted and walked quickly along a mar
row graveled path TO the house. 1t was
a quaint cid place, and on the veranda
he paused All about his head was d net
work of trailing vines and flowers, their
soft perfume mingIing not unpIeasantIy
with the harsher odor which arose from
numerous clumps of strangely smelling
herbs everywhere scattered about the
yard.
4 window naaY hin, 1,aF b..,,, -b-,r,--