Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-12-01
CHAPTER XIV.
HE summer ended, the autumn

tory. The Southern Land and Timber
company, and Wilson in particular, had
disappointed Miller and Alan by their
reticence in regard to the progress of
the railroad scheme. At every meeting
with Wilson they found him either
really or pretendedly Indifferent about
the matter. His concern, he told them.
was busy In other quarters, and he
really did not know what they would
Gnally do about it.
"He can't pull the wool over my
eyes," Miller told his friend after one
Of these interviews. "He simply thinks
he can freeze you out by holding OF
till you have to raise money"
'He may have inquired into my
fathers financial condition." suggested
Alan, with long face.
Most likely" replied the lawyer.
"And discovered exactly where we
stand"
Perhaps, but we must not believe
that till we know 1t. I'm going to try
to checkmate him. don't know how,
but I'll think of something. He feels
that he has the upper hand now, but
I'll interest him some Of these days"
Alan's love affair had also been drag
ging. He had had numerous assur-
ances of Dolly's constancy, but her
eyes had been opened to the serious
ness Of offending Colonel Barclay. She
now knew that her marriage against
his will would cause her immediate
disinheritance, and she was too sensi-
BILE girl to want to go to Alan with
out dollar and with the doors of her
home closed against her. Besides, she
believed in Alan's future. She some
how had more faith in the railroad
than any other interested person. She
knew, too, that she was now more
closely watched than formerly. She
had, with firm finality, refused Frank
Hillhouse's offer Of marriage, and that
had not helped her case in the eyes of
her e1asperated parent. Her mother
occupied neutral ground. She had a
vague liking for Alan Bishop and, if
the whole truth must be told, was
rather enjoying the situation.
On Christmas eve Adele was expect
ed home from Atlanta, and Alan had
come in town to meet her. AS it hap
pened, an accident delayed her train
80 that it would not reach barley un-
til 10 o'clock at night instead Of in
the evening, SO there was nothing fol
her brother to do but arrange for their
staying that night at the Johnston
House. Somewhat to Alan's surprise
who had never discovered the close
friendship and constant correspond
ence existing between Miller and his
sister, the former announced that he
was going to spend the night at the
hotel and drive out to the farm with
them the next morning. OF course II
was agreeable, Alan reflected, but II
was strange thing for Miller to pro
pose.
From the long yeranda of the hotel
| after supper that evening the two
| friends witnessed the crude display OF
holiday fireworks in the street below
Half dozen big bonfires made of dry
goods boxes, kerosene and tar barrels
and refuse of all kinds were blazing
along the main street. Directly oppo
site the hotel the only confectionery
and toy store in the place was crowded
to oyerfowing by eager customers
and in front Of it the purchasers Of
fireworks were letting them off for the
benefit of the bystanders. Firecrack
erB were exploded by the package, anG
every now and then clerk in some
store would come to the front door ant
fire off a gun or revolver.
\ All this noise and illumination wal
u ut its height when Adele's train drew
up in the car shed. The bonf1res neal
at hand made it as light as day, ant
she had no trouble recognizing the twt
friends.
"Oh, what an awful racket she ex
claimed as she released herself from
\ Alan's embrace and gave her hand t.
Miller.
II TITS in your honor" Miller laughed
as, to Alan's vast establishment, he hell
I on to her hand longer than seemed
right. 1--WE ought to have had tn
: brass band out"
ooh, I'm SO glad to get home" sait
Adele, laying her hand on Miller's ex
| tended arm. Then she released it t,
give Alan her trunk checks. Get them
BROTHER" she said. "N1r. Miller will
4 take care of me. suppose you are no
going to drive home tonight"
''Not If you are tired" said Miller II
tone Alan had never heard his frien,
use to any woman, nor had he eve
: seen such an expression on Miller
face as lay there while the lawyer
eyes were feasting themselves on tn
4 girls beauty.
Alan hurried away after the trunk
and porter. He was almost blin
y with rage that was new to him. Wa
Miller deliberately beginning flirts
: ton with Adele at moments notice
J And had she been SO spoiled by tn
"tast set of Atlanta during her sta
4 there that she would allow it-even
Miller was friend Of the family? 81
found negro porter near the heap G
y luggage that had been hurled from til
baggage car and ordered his sister
. trunks taken to the hotel. Then he 70
j lowed the couple modify up to the b,
tel parlor He was destined to underi
y another shock, for on entering til,
room he surprised Miller and Adele (
/ sofa behind the big square pia1
, with their heads suspiciously near t
gether, and SO deeply were they G
4 gagged In conversation that, although |
drew up chair near them, they pa
| - III,