Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-03
The Spoilers.
By REX e. BEACH.
!. copyrisht. 1905. by REX b. reach. =

BY REX E. BEACH.

the use or 1t. Wed be thrown out OF
any court in the land IL we took them
to law. What's the game-blackmailY'
"Humphv' calculated Mcnamara.
~What do you take me for?"
well, 1t does seem small for Alec
Mcnamara, but can't see what else
you're up to-"
within a week I'll be running every
good mine in the Nome district"
McNamara's voice was calm, but de-
cisive, his glance keen and alert, while
about him chung Isuch a breath Of
power and confidence that 1t compelled
belief even in the face Of this astound-
ing speech.
In spite of himself Wilton struve.
lawyer, rake and gentIemanly adver-
rurer, felt his heart leap ut what the
others daring implied. The proposA-
ton was utterly past belief, and yet
looking into the mans purposeful eyes.
he believed.
That's big awful big big" the
younger man murmured why, man,
1t means you'll handle $4,000 day."
/ Durham shifted his feet in the 81
lence and licked his dry lips.
.Of course It's big, but Mr.. ,McNa-
mara's the biggest man that ever came
to Alaska" he said.
And I've got the biggest scheme
that ever came north, backed by the
biggest men In Washington, ;, continued
the politician. Look heref' He dis
played typewriter sheet bearing
parallel lists Of names and figures.
Strive gasped incredulously.
Those are my stockholders, and
that is their share IN the venture. Oh,
yes, we're incorporated-under the
laws Of Arizona; secret, of course. It
would never do for the names to get
out. I'm showing you this only be-
cause want you to be satisfied who's
behind md
Lord, I'm satisfied" said Strive,
laughing nervously. Durham wls
with you when you figured the scheme
out, and he met some Of your friends
In Washington and New York. II he
says It's all right that settles It. But,
say, suppose anything went wrong
with the company and 1t leaked out
who those stockholders are?'
There's no danger. have the
books where they will be burned at the
first sign. We'd have had our own
land laws passed but for Sturtevant of
Nevada, curse him. He blocked US
In the senate. However, my plan ia
this He rapidly outlined his PROPOSE
ton to the listeners, while a light Of
admiration grew and shone In the
reckless face Of Strive.
"By heavens, you're wonder" he
cried at the close. "And I'm with you
body and soul. It's dangerous-that's
why like It,"
Dangerous? Mcnamara shrugged
his shoulders. Bah! Where Is the
danger? We've got the law, or. rather,
we are the law. Now. let's get to
work"
It seemed that the boss Of North
Dakota was no sluggard. He discard
ed coat and waistcoat and tackled the
documents which Strive laid before
him, going through them like whlrl-
wind. Gradually he infected the 9th.
ers with his energy, and soon behind
the locked doors Of Durham s. Strive
there were only haste and fever and
plot. and intrigue.
AZ Helen Chester led the Judge to-
ward the flamboyant. three storied llo-
tel she prattled to him light heartedly.
The fascination Of new land already
held her fast, and now she felt, In nd
dition, security and relief. Glenister
saw them from distance and STROBE
forward to greet them.
He beheld man OF perhaps three
score years, benign of aspect save for
the ewes, which were neither clear nor
steady but had the trick Of looking
past one. Glenister thought the mouth,
too. rather weak and Facilitating, but
the clean shaven face was digniaed by
learning and acumen and was wrln-
killed. in pleasant fashion.
"My niece has just told me OF your
service to her. the old gentleman be
gan. II am happy to know you. sir
Besides being a brave knight and
assisting ladies in distress, Mr.. Glenis-
ter Is a very great and wonderful
man." Helen explained lightly. HE
owns the Midas"
"Indeed!" said the old man, his
shifting eyes now resting full on the
other with flash Of unmistakable In
terest. Il hear that is a wonderful
mine. Have you begun work YETI
mo. Well commence sluicing day
after tomorrow. It has been late
spring. The snow in the gulch was
deep and the ground thaws slowly.
We've been building houses and doing
dead work, but we've got our men on
the ground waiting"
II am greatly interested. Won't you
walk with us to the hotel? l want TO
hear more about these wonderful
placers."
..Well, they are great placers," said
the miner as the three walked on to-
gether. Nobody knows how great be
cause we've only scratched at them
yet. In the first place, the ground IS
SO shallow and the gold is 80 easy to
get that IL nature didn't safeguard US
In the winter we'd never dare leave our
claims for fear of spipers.' They'd
run In and rob u.s."
Glow much will the Anvil creek
mines produce this summer asked
the judge.
"It's hard to tell, sir, but we expect
to average $500 a day from the MI