The Washington times., 1903-02-01

trust, though. that you have not been
long ia waiting"
Those who entered manifested their
appreciation OF this reception BY the
usual protestations that they had but
just arrived. and from that branehed at
once into more momentous topics. The
franchise had been granted. the hotel
vas at once taken up. constructed. fur
nished, and almost occupied; magnii-
cent structure-alI on paper
Half al hour later. in the midst Of a
lofty peroratinn wherein bouIevards cir
cled the lake. steamers ruf1ed its water.
and his hearers were enjoying their
honest reward in palatiai villas about
its shores. Mr.. Flint was interrupted by
the clerk. who entered with a message.
Stanley perused its contents with an
impassive face. his features. II possible.
/ betraying even a greater degree OF
chiIdlike innocence as he turned to those
about him AID observed.
From Mr. Clergue gentlemen: will
you excuse me for a few minutes? We
may yet make the naughty gentleman
from New York recognize the value of
our money"
His visitors returned a laughing ac-
| quiescence, and he FASTENED from the
room. Inwardly. however. Stanley by
no means experienced the sense OF com
pIaeeney which his manner implied.
The message had come from Bob. but
was scarcely Of the character which
might have been inferred from his
words. Miss ArguelIo was negotiating
the purchase Of syndicate lots and lie
(Bob) had thought Stanley might like to
be informed before the sale was closed
In Mr. CIergue's offce-a single sto-
risd shanty-like structure almost con
eealed beneath gIaring pictures Of boom
ing cannon, busy factories, elegant
dwellings, putting locomotives and ev-
erything conceivable in the way OF grow
ing fruits and sereaIs-the young girl
was seated near a large desk. Before
her was a spleDdidIy executed map,
on which Bob vas explaining loea-
tions and advantages with all the volu-
bility and conviction Of a lecturer e1-
toIling the beauties OF the Garden OF
Eden.
Stanley nodded as he entered-to the
young girl pleasantly. but significantly
to his partner-and that gentleman.
Tauttering some excuse. promptly en-
tered a room beyond. Miss Arguello ap-
peared somewhat surprised when Stan
ley dropped into his place, but clearly
the change was in no way disagreeable
TO her
But her pleasant greeting was lost on
him: his face was preternaturally grave
Miss Arguello," he began abruptly.
lis it through these lots that you ex-
pect TO pay the liens accommodating
against your mothers property
The girl nodded and her smile be-
trayed considerable pride in her busi
ness abilities: but the clouds on his
own face deepened.
Then don't do it," he adjured earn
estly Don't do it"
You cant mean that. Mr. Flint
the young girl returned IN somewhat
aggrieved tone.
But I DO mean it, Stanley broke
out. impetrously. Don't buy land any
where in this valley at present"
Miss Arguello drew back, and her
eyes kindled with indignation.
Mr. Flint, she returned. eoidly,
people have already said that nam
ma did wrong TO trust you so implii-
lily. but I nave not believed it-untiI
now
Stanley colored at the last words
DO I deserve that?" he asked in =
low tole.
I hepe no. was. the reply; but
what am I to think? We have little
money and by investing it here,
where it is increasing every day. we
can save our home. II we do not 10
so, you Will get il.
Stanley WINGED Then he rose and ap-
preached the door through which his
partner had disappeared With his
hand on the knob he paused. His face
wore a troubled look. and his manner
was marked by an irresolution al
together strange TO him He was stand
ing on q line where had never stood.
hesitating where he had never hesita-
ted before. At last he returned to his
seat
Miss Arguello.' he said in a sort OF
zmothe-ed tone, you refuse to accept
my advice, refuse TO trust ne; but an
5UlHS ~ trust EDa Win Ll-g -Et- AbA
tune That land which you would buy
is mine-this whole boom is mine Six
months ago, in conjunction with Nj.
Clergue. I bought that tract and inflated
the balloon which in few days We shall
see burst Your mothers home I did
want, but now I do not. The hotel and
railroad are nov built as far as they
ever will be-on paper Two weeks from
today shall have disposed of every foot
OF land I own here, and this city viii
thereafter be heard OF only as a has
been. Now viii you save your money? 90
For a moment the young girl made
70 renIy. The color came and went from
her face Ike some flower whirled along
by the breeze.
'.Who-whom are we 10 trust?" she at
last calculated TREMENDOUSLY.
Stanley leaned forward in his chair
Her hand was resting on the desk.
and he reached toward it. hesitated-
then took il in his own.
Marie" he said softly. You might
trust NE. ] haven't known you long.