Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-17
\ CALL Il nrettv hard lines"

ksA-z& over a Well-kept lawn down proau
IMs@&I sandy street cleaning white IN the
monday sun, and chewed the end OF
his cigar viciousy. His companion, young
girl about his own age, gazed at the distant
mountains with an air of deep abstraction, but
there was subdued twinkle of amusement in
the dark eyes so persistenty turned from him.
TITS no fault of mine," he continued mood
lily, "that my father was inconsistent enough to
bring me UP as a gentleman's son and then lose
everything by speculation. / have fair stock
of brains, good blood, and good education, but
they have no cash value, and against q. w.
Todd, for instance, whose chief qualification
seems to be hole in the ground which pays
him handsome dividend, / am weighed in the
balances and found wanting"
"You seem to have given the matter profound
consideration" the girl remarked without turn
ing her head,
IT have. I've made a careful mathematical
computation from which I have deduced our re-
spective market values. The difference between
them is slight when expressed numerically,
though wide and far-reachng in its results. His
is represented by digit with goodly row OF
ciphers attached; mine by equal number of
ciphers, but without the aforesaid digit
A ripping laugh interrupted the speaker, and
turning, he encountered glance OF such con-
IdBlouS meTrlnenD MS own luRuDIlouS touu-
tenance relaxed into sudden smile.
"Of all the whimsicaly whimsical people
sver met, Dick Travers, you are certainly the
very worst!" the girl exclaimed. But can di-
sgnose your case; it is not alarming, it is only
an acute attack of hypochondriasis, superinduced
by the report which you have just heard at lunch
that said G.. w. Todd has recently acquired a
controlling interest in the Consolidated North
western Mining and Reduction Company, which
report, by its effect on certain gangionlc nerves.
has impeded digestion, thereby interfering with
the regular action of the heart and resulting in
Abnormal
an impatient gesture. II don't care rap about
Todd's interest in the Consolidated in and
of itself, and you know it'll"
The bewitching dark eyes turned on him with
look Of innocent wonderment that half charm
ed half exasperated Travers.
''You know. as well as |, that what I am con-
cerned about is his interest in you, Dot"
Miss Dorothy Belden's eyes were again fixed
on the mountains, but faint smile lurked about
the corners Of her mouth as she replied sweetly:
"But you know, Dick, that is not controlling
interest"
Travers glanced half-resentfully at the averted
face. The dark hair rufAed by the breeze, curled
lovingly around very pink ear, strayed over
the bluevened temples. He noted the exquisite
curves Of cheek and neck, the rich color which
came and went SO swiftly, and he could not be
angry with her.
Dorothy" he said gently, "I wish you would
be serious, for a lew minutes at least; l want
to talk to you"
She turned towards him, her eyes dancing. "I
should like to oblige you, Dick, but I tried 1t
only yesterday with such direful results don't
want to repeat the experiment"
'I don't think you ever spoke dozen serious
words consecutively in your life
'If VOu doubt me. i refer to Mr. Todd
himself"
''AIr. Toddl'-Travers' voice betrayed excite
ment Dorothy, what do you mean?"
''Why, he told me, you did just now, that he
wished ] would talk seriously. think I did
] know | never was SO serious in my life and
hope never will have to be SO awfully serious
again; but, would you believe it, instead of seem
ing grateful at my efforts, he was quite the
reverse. I think he was really affronted, and
that I have lost even his friendship irretriev
ably"
"Dot!" exclaimed Travers rapturously, edo you
mean you have really sent him adrift? Is it
possible that you do care"
Dorothy held up warning hand. 'Dick, l told
you didn't want to repeat the experiment with
you. I don't want to lose your friendship; I'll
tell you frankly think too much of it,"
''But, Dot, darling, can't there ever be any
thing but friendship between us, when I've low
ed you for so long-ever since our school days?"
The laughing eyes suddenly grew tender, and
a sweet gravity overspread her face as she re-
piled:
Ever is great, long word, Dick, Can't
we get along just we are fol the present?
I'm afraid the pater wouldn't give us his bless.
ing now, and perhaps, by and by, he might, you
know"
II don't see what can do to make myself any
more eligible in the future than at present, and
don't want to wait so long that someone will
run off with you meantime"
n the last inSunuation nOrothv shnolr bar
head. Perhaps you can manage after while
to buy some stock in the consolidated That
is the apple of his eye, you know, and it does
pay big dividends"
"How | can become stockholder in anything
under present circumstances is more than l can
figure out" said Travers disconsolately.
Something will turn up sure, Dick, feel
it, even if nothing more than a hole in the
Mound,'" she added mischievously; "and III
help you any and every way can, and,' ok.
tending her hand, 'Tll pledge you good, staunch
comradeship, and that is more than l would give
anybody else"
Iravers grasped the little hand with what
seemed to Dorothy unnecessary enthusiasm.
dot" he exclaimed you're an angell You're
Consolidated yourself consolidated sweetness
and lovelness and goodness; and l have an in
terest in you, and one day I'll make it con
trolling interest," see if / don't!"
'If you have talked enough nonsense" said
Miss Dorothy severely, you had better decide
what you will do with your half holiday"
II thought I'd take my rifle and follow the
trail up the Hogs Back for a couple Of hours
or so. | don't know that III see anything worth
shooting, but I'll go prepared all the same"
You may see more than you bargained for,
Some bear tracks were found up there two weeks
hut eth hao vat haa.