The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-11-17

free of charge. A beggar can't be n
chooser, you know" said Brewster bit
terly. His color was gradually coming
back. What do they know about the
secretary?" he asked suddenly, intent
and alive
He was new one, l understand,
who came to Jones less than a year
ago. Jones Is said to have had implicit
faith in him." said Ripley.
And he disappeared Mt the same
timcT"
'''They were last seen together"
Then he has put an end to Jonesw
cried Monty eXcitedly. "It is as plain
as day TO me. Don't you sec that he
eXerted some sort of influence over the
old man, inducing him to get all this
money together on some pretext or
other solely for the purpose Of robbing
him of the whole amount? Was ever
anything more diabolical?" He began
pacing the floor like an animal, nerv-
ously clasping and unclasping his
hands. I'VE must catch that secretaryl
l don't believe Jones was dishonest.
He has been duped by clever scoun-
drel"
The stranSest circumstance Of nll,
Mr.. Brewster, is that no such person US
Golden, the purchaser Of your proper
ties, can be found. He IL supposed to
reside In Omaha, and 1t is known TINT
he paid nearly $3.OOO.OOO for the prop-
erty that now stands In his name. He
paid 1t to Mr.. Jones In cash, too, and
he paid every cent that the property Is
worth"
But he must be In existence some
where cried Brewster in perplcxity.
How could he pay the money IL he
doesn't exist?"
Il only know that no trace Of the
man can be found. They know nothing
Of him In Omaha" said Grant helpless
ly.
$50 1t has finally happened" said
Brewster, but his excitement had
dropped. WELL" hU added, throwing
himself into a deep chair, at was al
ways much too strange to be true.
Even at the beginning 1t seemed like n
dream, and now-well, now 1 am Just
awake, like the little boy after tho
fairy tale. 1 seem like q fool to have
taken 1t so seriously"
There was no other way" protested
Ripley. You We're quite right"
"Well, after all," continued Brewster,
and the voice was as of one In a
dream, perhaps it's as we'll to have
been in Wonderland, even IL you have
to come down aftcrward to the or
binary world. am foolish, perhaps,
but even now I would not give it up."
Then the thought of Peggy clutched
him hy the throat, and he stopped.
After IA moment he gathered himself
together aud rose. "Gentlemen," lie
sail sharply, and his voice had chang
ed, II have had my fun, and this Is the
end of 1t. Down underneath l am des-
perately tired Of the whole thing and
give you my word that you will find me
dincrent man TOMORROW. I .,u soing
to buckle down to tte-real thing. 1
am going to prove that my grandfa-
TIERS blood is I'm me. And I shall
come out OH top"
Ripley WAS obviously moved as he re-
piled: Il don't question 1t for mo-
mcnt You are made Of the right stun.
l saw that long ago. You may count
Oh us tomorrow for any amount you
need"
Grant indorsed the opinion. "I like
your spirit, Brewster" he said. :"rhere
are not many men who would have
taken this as we'll. It's pretty hard on
you, too, and it's q miserable wedding
gift for your bride"
1--WE may have important news from
Butte in the morning." said Ripley
hopefully. eat any rate, more of the
details. The newspapers will have
sensational stories no doubt, and we
have asked for the latest particulars
| direct from the authorities. Well see
that things are properly Investigated.
Go home now, my boy, and go to bed.
You will begin tomorrow with good
luck at your side, and you may be
happy all your life in spite Of tonight's
| depression"
| "I'm sure to be happy" said Brew
ster simply. ''rhe ceremony takes
place at O'Clock, gentlemen. ! was
coming to your office at o on little
matter Of business, but fancy 1t won't
after all be necessary for me TO hurry.
I'll drop in before noon, however, and
get that money. BY the way, here
are the receipts for the money spent
tonight. Will you put them away with
the others? ! intend to live up to my
part Of the contract, and 1t will save
me the trouble Of presenting them reg
ularly in the morning. Good night,
gentlemen. I am sorry you were Oblig-
ed to stay up so late on my account"
He left them bravely enough, but lie
had more than one moment Of weak
ness before he could meet his friends
The world seemed unreal and himself
the most unreal thing in 1t. But the
night air acted rs n stimulant and
helped him to call back his courage
When he entered the studio at O'Clock
he was prepared to redeem his promise
to be 1.-The jolliest fellow Of them all"