Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-12-19

more confidence. They were all hard
working and tried to meet his wishes,
and in a way they We're beginning to
understand that he was passing
through a crisis of his life. One even
Ing after an unusually hard day, as
Longmore almost staggered toward his
office, Brooks followed him, laying a
OBTAINING hand upon his shoulder.
"Look here, Mr.. Longmore," he said
a%nxiously, you just leave that office
alone tonight an go into your room to
bed. You're runnin' yourself out. An
an" hesitating a little, 'if you don't
mind. me an the men have been talk
in about you some lately. We've been
workin' pretty stiddy an amt a bit
hard up now, so if it'll be any-any
easier you might let our pay lie over a
month or two. We don't mind, an'"-
Longmore swung round and grasped
his hand.
'Thank you for this, Mr.. Brooks" he
exclaimed, his eyes moistening. you
don't know how 1 appreciate it just
now. Tell the men so. But I shall not
take advantage of your friendship. 1t
has been something Of q strain with
me lately, | don't mind admitting that,
but another day or two will decide the
matter n way or the other. l was
up all last night, working and think
ing. and an going to make one last
trial, a holder one. | sent my last $50
away this morning, and the things will
be here on the train tomorrow morn
ing. The next day will decide whether
we keep Oh or close and whether
But good night. Be on hand at day
break. l shall work in the Office to-
night. but after this will Sleep
The next morning he was on the lit
tie platform when the train came and
took his package straight to the office.
Soon after he went to the mouth of the
furnace, where the men were throwing
in ore, the package under his arm. All
day he worked there with them. fever
ishly. but the next day when he went
below to watch the result, when the
molten iron was released. he was calm.
But as he watched a strange light
began to glow in his eyes. AS soon as
the bars were sufficiently cool he took
several of them to the station plat
form. addressing them to Mr.. Bray
ton. Then he went to the Office and
wrote a long letter, and it lacked but
two days of the years end.
The list Of January the letter was
answered by Brayton in person. His
face seemed unusually excited as he
swung to the platform even before the
train stopped.
care those bars fair samples?" he
demanded.
Eyes, sir"
"Weil, well, we'll! I'd never have
believed it-never in this world.
They're the finest I ever saw and
mean a fortune. But l can't accept
your proposition, Longmore, to take
over the plant with you again as fore
man. No, no! Well run it half and
half, my capital against your discov-
cry and services. And we'll increase
the capacity and the working force to
300 men. You'll want a superintend-
ent now, Longmore, and foremen for
the different departments. You'd bet
ter hire them at once"
"They're already at hand, sir, men
on whom l a depend and who will
make our interests their own"
Good! That's the kind we want.
Now let's go to the Office and consider
plans for the increase. Why" ex.
pSlosively. Its 81 fortune and the most
unbelievable thing / v heard Of.
Then Wen run up home and see Helen.
She'll be glad, and-er-I won't say
another word"