Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-19
CHAPTER xxxIv.-(Concluded)

CF1aTlEH AAIA1N .-(COnCluQ00).
swell, he can have my experience
free Of charge. A beggar can't be q
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.
Gle was new one. understand,
who came to Jones less than year
ago. Jones Is said to have had implicit
faith In him." said Ripley.
"And he disappeared at the same
t1me?"
They were hast seen together"
"Then he has put an end to Jonest''
cried Monty excitedly. '1t is as plain
as day to me. Don't you see that he
exerted some sort Of influence over the
old man, inducing him to get all this
money together on some pretext or
other solety for the purpose of robbtng
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. 1--WE must catch that secretary!
I don't believe Jones was dishonest.
He has been duped by q clever scoun-
drel."
1.-THE srangest circumstance Of all,
Mr.. Brewster, is that no such person as
Golden, the purchaser Of your proper
ties, can be found. He is supposed to
reside in Omaha, and 1t is known that
he paid nearly 100000 for the prop
erty that now stands in his name. He
paid It 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 perple1ity.
"How could he pay the money If he
doesn't existT
II only know that no trace Of the
man can be found. They know nothing
Of him IN Omaha" said Grant helpless
~.
$50 It has finally happened" said
Brewster, but his excitement had
dropped WELL" he added, throwing
himself into deep chair, at was al
ways much too strange to be true.
Even at the beginning it seemed like a
dream, and now-well, now I am Just
awake, like the little boy after the
fairy tale. I seem like fool to have
taken It SO seriously
There was no other way" protested
Ripley. "You were quite right"
well, after ALL" continued Brewster,
and the voice was as Of one in q
dream, perhaps it's as we'll to have
been in Wonderland, even If you have
to come down afterward to the or
binary world. am foolish, perhaps,
but even now would not give 1t up"
Then the thought Of Peggy clutched
him by the throat, and he stopped.
After moment he gathered himself
together and rose. Gentlemen" he
said sharply, and his voice had chang
ed, II have had my fun. and this is the
end Of It Down underneath 1 am des-
perately tired Of the whole thing, and
give you my word that you will find me
different man tomorrow. am going
to buckle down to the real thing. I
am going to prove that my GRANDPA
TIERS blood is in me. And I shall
come out on top"
Ripley was obviously moved as he re-
piled: II don't question it for mo-
ment- You are made Of the right stuff.
I saw that long ago. You may count
on US tomorrow for any amount you
need
Grant Endorsed the opinion. II like
your spirit, Brewster" he said. There
are not many men who would have
taken this as we'll It's pretty hard on
you, boo, and it's miserable wedding
gift for your BRIDE
1--WE may have important news from
Butte in the morning." said Ripley
hopefully. sat 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 ali your life in spite Of tonight's
depression"
"I'm sure to be happy" said Brew
ster simply. 'The ceremony takes
place at o'clock, gentlemen. was
coming to your office at on a little
matter Of business, but fancy it 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 I spent
tonight. Will you put them away with
the others? intend to live up to my
part of the contract, and it 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 he
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 it. But the
night air acted as stimulant and
helped him to call back his courage
When he entered the studio at o'clock
be was prepared to redeem his promise