Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-12-11

accepted any Offer"
A look of relief suffused itself over
Wilson's broad face.
'Then they are still open to accept
their offer to me?"
Miller laughed as if highly amused at
the complication of the matter.
"They are bound, you remember, on
ly SO long as you hold their note"
''Then tell you what to do" pro-
posed Wilson. Go back and tell them
not to bother about payment for few
days, anyway, and that we will soon
tell them positively whether we will
pay their price or not. That's fair,
isn't it,"
ut might seem so to man person
ally interested in the DEAL" admitted
Miller as the introduction to another
Of his blows from the shoulder, "but
as lawyer for my clients can only
obey orders, like the boy who stood on
the burning deck"
Wilson's face fell. The remote click
ing Of the typewriter seemed to crate
upon his high wrought nerves, and he
went and slammed the partly opened
door, muttering something like an oath.
On that slight journey, however, he
caught an idea.
Suppose you wire them my propo-
sition and wait here for reply" he
suggested.
Miller frowned. "That would do no
good" he said. I'm sorry can't ex-
plain fully, but the truth Is, this: hap
pen to know that they wish for rea-
sons of their own to take up the note
you hold and that nothing else will suit
them"
At this juncture Wilson lost his grip
on all self possession and degenerated
into the sullen anger Of sharp and un-
expected disappointment.
II don't feel that we are being fairly
treated" he said. 1--WE most naturally
assumed that your clients wanted to-
to extend our option on the property
for at least another six months. We
! assumed that from the fact that we
had no notification from them that
they would be ready to pay the note
today. That's where we feel injured,
Mr.. Miller"
Rayburn threw his cigar into Gus
pidor. His attitude of being nonin-
terested agent was simply stroke of
genius. Behind this plea he crouched,
showing himself only to fire shots that
played havoc with whatever they
struck.
II believe my clients did feel may
say, honor bound to you to sell for the
price they offered, but-now I may be
mistaken-but I'm sure they We're un-
der the impression. as I was, too. that
you only wanted the property provided
you could build a railroad from barley
to it, and
well, that's true" broke In Wilson.
THAT'S quite true"
"And." finished Miller, still behind
his inevitable fertilization, they tell
me that you have certainly shown IN
difference to the project ever since the
note was given. In fact, they asked
me pointedly if thought you meant
business, and 1 was forced conscien-
tiously to tell them that thought you
seemed to have other fish to fry"
Wilson glared at the lawyer as if he
wanted to kick him for a stupid idiot
who could not do two things at once
work for the interests of his clients and
not wreck his plans also. 1t had been
long time since he had found himself
in such hot frying pan.
$50 you think the thing is Off" he
said desperately, probably recalling
several purchases Of land he had made
In tho cacfiOO no bod oypocfod RI do
yelop. "You think it's OFF,
II hardly know what to say" said
Miller. 1.-THE old gentleman, Mr.. Bish.
op, is slow going old timer, but his
son is rather up to date, full Of energy
and ambition. think he's made up
his mind to sell that property"
Wilson went to his desk, lowered
over it like dark human cloud and
then reluctantly turned to the big iron
safe against the wall, obviously to gel
the note. His disappointment was toe
great for concealment. With his fat
pink hand on the silver plated combina
ton bolt he turned to Miller again.
"Would you mind sitting down till
telephone one or two Of the directors2'
mot at ALL" said Miller, "if you'll gel
me cigar and the Constitution. The
Atlanta baseball team played Mobile
yesterday, and was wondering
II don't keep track Of such things
said Wilson, coming back to his desl
with an impatient frown to ring hi!
call bell for the Office boy.
"Oh, yes, believe football is YOU
national sport" said Miller, with dr..
SMILE well, it's only difference be
tween arms and legs-whole bones ant
casualties"
Wilson ordered the cigar and pape
when the boy appeared, and, leaving
the lawyer suddenly, he went into tn,
room containing the telephone, closing
the door after him.
In few minutes he reappeared
standing before Miller who was chew
ing cold cigar and attentively read
ing. He looked up at Wilson abstract
; eddy.
Bully for Atlanta" he said 9TH
boys made ten runs before the Mobile
had scored
"Oh, come down to business" salt
the New Highlander. with ready mad
smile. Honestly, don't believe 70,
drowsy southerncrs ever will get owe
your habit of sleeping during business
hours. 1t seems to be bred in tn