The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-04-06

ein"e as YOU were going. While Won
We're OF at sea we had MANY lotions
from him, all in that sarcastic ve;n 80
his, but in none Of them did he offer .
word OF criticism. He seemed +bor
oughly satisfied with your methods. In
fact, he once said he'd give a million of
MS own money If it would purchase
your ability to spend one-fourth of q "
well he can have my experience
free of charge. A beggar can't bo q
chooser, you know" said Brewster BIT
terly. His color was gradually coming
back. What do they know about tho
secretary" he asked suddenly. intent
and alive.
He was a new one, I understand
who came to Jones less than a wear
ago. Jones is said to have had implicit
faith in him." said Ripley.
And he disappeared at the samo
time?"
They were last seer together"
"Ihen he has put an end to Jonesw
cried Monty excltedly. 1T is as plain
as day TO me. Don't you see that he
eAerted some sort Of influence over tho
OLD man, inducing him to get all this
money together on some pretext or
other solely for the purpose of robbing
MN of the whole amount? Was ever
anything more diabolical?" He began
pacing the floor like an animal, nerv-
ously clasping and unclasping h,s
hands. I'VE must catch that secretary,
l don believe Jones was dishonest.
He has been duped by a clever scoun-
drel.''
The strangest circumstance of all.
MIR. Brewster, is that no such person os
Golden, the purchaser Of your proper-
ties, can be found. He is supposed 70
reside In Omaha, and it is known that
ne paid nearly 100000 for the prop
erty that now stands in his name. He
PAID 1t to Mr.. Jones in cash, too. and
he paid every cen that the propertv ia
worth"
But he must be in existence some
where cried Brewster in p%erplexity.
"How could he pay the If he
doesn't eXist?"
II only know that no trace of the
man a be found. They know nothing
OF him IN Omaha" said Grant HELPLESS
ly.
80 it has finally happened" said
Brewster, but his excitement had
dropped. well" he added, throwing
himself into a deep chair, ut was al
ways much too strange to be true.
Even at the beginning it seemed like a
dream, and now-well, now I am lust
? awake, like the little boy after the
fairy tale. 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,
n the voice was as Of one in a
dream, perhaps it's as we'll to have
been in Wonderland, ever if you have
to come down afterward to the or
binary world. l am foolish, perhaps,
but even now l would not give it up
Then the thought of Peggy clutched
him by the throat, and he stopped.
After a moment he gathered himself
together and rose. Gentlemen" he
said sharply, and his voice had chang
ed, 81 have had my fun, and this is the
end of it. Down underneath l am des-
perately tired Of the whole thing, and l
give you my word that you will find me
q different mar tomorrow. l am going
to buckle down to the real thing. |
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 a mo.
ment. You are made Of the right stuff,
l saw that long ago. You may count
on us tomorrow for any amount you
need"
Grant Endorsed the opinion. Il like
your spirit, Brewster" he said. "There
are not many men who would have
taken this as well. It's pretty hard on
you, too, and it's a miserable wedding
gift for your bride"
I'VE may have important news from
Butte in the morning" said Ripley
hopefully. "At 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. Wen see
that things are properly investigated
Go home now, my boy, and go to bed
You will begin tomorrow with gooC
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. 1.-The ceremony takes
place at Z o'clock, gentlemen. was
coming to your Office at 8 on a little
matter Of business, but I fancy it won'
after all be necessary for me to hurry
I'll drop in before noon, however, anc
get that money. By the way, here
are the receipts for the money spen1
tonight. Will you put them away witt
the others? l 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. l am sorry you were obllS
ed to stay up SO late on my account
No loft them hrayely enough, but ne