The Columbus journal., 1906-09-26
cHAITn Vu.-Continued.

with their suns:" she began, plunging
desperately into the midst of things.
A mere shadow of grim smile came
and went in the Rajah's eyes.
An unprejudiced outsideh might
say that the 'horrid men with their
guns were on top of that embank-
ment, my deah-ten to Duh one" he
remarked. 1t was the first time l
even saw Misteh Deck 'rt show the
white featheh."
But I should think We might win
In some other way. What is 1t you
want to do?-specifically, mean.
Make me your ally and see II I cant
help YOU
Mr. Darrah pushed his plate aside
and cleared his throat
For business reasons which you
= ah-wOuldn't understand We can't let
tie Utah finish this railroad of theirs
into Carbonate this winteh.'
SO much I have inferred. But Mr..
Winton seems to be very determined"
''Mmph. I wish Mr. Caldwell had
one else That young fellow is a bawn
nghfeh, my oean.k
'You mean that another man might
make it easier for your
Il Mean that anOtheh man would
probably daily alOng-with Ouh help
till the SHOWS come"
Virginia had a bright idea, and she
advanced 1t without examining too
closely into its ethical part.
''Mr. Winton is working for wages.
isn't he?" she asked.
of cou'se; big money. at that. His
sawt come high"
We'll, why can't you hire him away
from the other people. Mr.. Caldwell
might not be SO fortunate next time.
And it wouldn't be dishonorable in
Mr. Winton to resign and take a bet
ter place. would it,"
The Rajah sat back in his chair and
regarded her thoughtfully. Then q
slow smile twitched the huge mus
taches and worked its way up to the
fierce eyes.
What is it," she asked.
Nothing, my deah-nothing at ALL
was jus: wondering how a wOman's
|SSAASC Va PtoPO llOAS vac put W.
getheh- But your plan has merit. Do
] understand that you will faveh me
with your help?"
Why, ye-yes. certainly, il I can,"
she assented. not wi.AOut dubiety.
THAT is, III be nice to Mr.. Winton.
tf that is what you mean"
The saying of 1t cost her a blush
and Mr.. Darrah remarked it, But he
did not give her time to retract.
THAT is precisely what I mean, my
deah. Well begin by having him
heah to dinneh this evening. him and
the Otheh cung man-what's his
uame?-Adars.
But. uncle" she began, in hesitant
protest. what ever will he think"
'Neveh mind what he thinks You
faveh me, my deah Virginia, by send
ing him a right pretty invitation You
know how to do those things. and I
why, bless my soul-I've quite for
gotten"
Virginia found pen. ink and paper,
something dOubting-doubting a great
deal, if the truth were told-but not
knowing how to 90 about refusing
confederacy which she herself had
proposed.
And the upshot of the matter was a
dainty note which found its way by
the hands of the private car porter
to Wfnton, laboring manfully at his
task OF repairing the landslide dam
ages; this in the middle of the after
noon. after the sherin's train had gone
back to Carbonate and all opposition
seemed to have been withdrawn.
Mr.. SomervilIe Darrah's s compliments to
Mr. John Winton and Mr.. Morton p.
Adams and he will be pleased II they will
dine with the party in the car Rosemary
At seven O'Clock
CHAPTER WILL
Adams said BY JOve!" in his most
cynical drawl when Winton gave hin
the dinner bidding to read: then he
laughed
Winton recovered the dainty note,
folding it carefully and putting it in
his pocket he hanoIriting was the
same as that of the telegram abstract
ed from Operator Carter's sending
book.
Il don't see anything to laugh at"
ne objected. In the tone Of one who
does not mean to see.
Mo- You must be in fathOmS deep
not to be able to multiply such q very
evident twice two. FIRST the Rajah
sends the sherif's posse packing with
out striking a blow. and now he in
vites US to dinner. What's the infer
ence?"
oh, I don't know as there has to
be an inference. Let US say he has
seen the erro- of his way and means
to come down gracefully.
Don't you believe it! Beware of
the Greeks bringing gifts. You are
going to be nit right where you live
this time"
Winton grovled his disapproval of
any such uncharitable hypothesis.
You make me exceedingly tired at
odd moments. Morty Why can't you
give MI Darrah the credit of being
what he really is at bottOm-a right
hearted Virginia gentleman Of the old
school?"
!. "Ye gods and little minnOws!-
worse and aore of 1t! You don't
mean that you are going to accept"
said Adams, aghast-
Certainty: and 50 are you We
-aall have quite enough Of Mr.. Man
<alini's 'csmnition grind up here in
this OOd-forsaken wilderness without
.campfng our one little chance to for
cot It for q few social minutes"