Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-10-03
The Spoilers.
By REX e. BEACH.
copyrisht. 1905.

tried. These other men are diGc'c
though There arc two OF them
old one and a young fellow I'm
tie afraid to mix 1t up with them. n
If their claim wasn't the best In e.
district I'd say let It alone"
"I'll attend to that" said McNanar
Struve resumed:
Eyes. gentlemen, I've been worktr
pretty hard and also pretty much :,
the dark so far. I'm cropping for l'c'
When Miss chester brought In tho +;
pers | got busy lustanter cloUCc
the title to the richest nlacers In e.
region but I'm blamed If | quite So
the use Of II. We'd he thrown out I,
any court in the land II we took the.
to law. What's the game--blackmail:
"Humph. calculated McNana:f
"What do you take me for?'
well. it does seem small for Ar
Mcnamara, but can't see what c,
you're up to-"
"Within week I'll he running eve
good mine In the Nome district"
McNamara's voice was calm. but
cislve. his glance keen and alert. viii
about him chung such n breath
power and confidence that it compel
belief even in the face OF this astouu
Ing speech.
In spite OF himself Wilton Strul
lawyer. rake and gentlemanly advc'
turer. felt his heart leap at what IT.
others daring implied. The propoe
ton was utterly past belief and We
looking into the mans purposcful eye
he believed.
That's g-nwful big big" E.
younger man mnrnsured. Why, MAJ
1t means you'll handle $50 600 day
Durham shifted his feet In the :
lence and licked his dry lips.
"Of course It's big. but Mr.. Men"
mara's the biggest man that ever car,
to Alaska" he said.
And I've got the biggest schen
that ever came north, backed by t.
biggest men in Washington" continue
the politician Look here" Tie dit
played a typewriter sheet beartn
parallel lists of names and figure
Strive Gasned incredulouSly.
Those are my stockholders. 80
that Is their share In the venture. On
yes, were incorporated under II,
laws Of Arizona; secret of course !
would never do for the names to g,
out. I'm showing You this only 2
cause ! want you to he satisfied who.
behind me-.
Lord. I'm satisfied" said Strive
laughing nervouSly. "Dunham Wa
with you when you figured the schcolr
out, and he met some of your frieuG
in Washington and New York If h,
says it's all right that settles IT. Ru.
say, suppose anything went wrou'
with the company and it leaked on
who those stockholders are?'
There's no danger / have tn
books where they will be burned al tn
first sign. We'd have had our owI
land laws passed but for Sturtevant o
Nevada, curse him. He blocked II
In the senate. However. my plan /
this He rapidly outlined his propos
ton to the listeners, while light o
admiration grew and shone In tn
reckless face OF Struvn.
by heavens, you're n wonder" h
cried at the close. And I'm with yo
body and soul. It's dangerous that
why ! like it,
"pangerous?" Mcnamara shrugCe
his shoulders Bah, Where is tn
danger? We've got the law, or, rather
we arr the law. Now, let's get t
work"
1t seemed that the boss Of Mort
Dakota was no sluggard. He 6,scari
ed coat and waistcoat and tackled tn
documents which Strive laid befcr
him, going through them like whir
wind. Gradually he infected tie otl
ers with his energy, and soon benin
the locked doors Of Durham e. Struv
there were only haste and fever an
plot and intrigue.
AS Helen Chester led the Judge tC
ward the famboyant. three stored nC
tel she prattled to him light eartedl,
The fascination Of n new land alread
held her fast and now she felt In &C
ditlon, security and relief. Gleniste
saw them from a distance and strod
Forward 10 greet tnem.
He beheld a man of perhaps three
score years. benign Of aspect save 70
the eyes. which were neither clear nc
steady, but had the trick Of lookin
PAST one. Glenister thought the moutl
too, rather weak and vacillatlng, bu
the clean shaven face was dignltied b
learning and acumen and was wriI
killed. in pleasant fashion.
MY niece has Just told me Of you
service to her." the old gentleman b.
gan. II am happy to know you, sir"
besides being brave knight an
assisting ladies In distress, Mr.. Gleni
ter Is very great and wonderfl
man" Helen explained lightly. III
owns the Midas"
Indeed" said the old man, hi
shifting eyes now resting full on th
other with n fash Of unmistska Bile II
tercst. II hear that Is a wonderfl
mine. Have you begun work yet"
mo. Well commence sluicing da
after tomorrow. 1t has been a lat
spring. The snow in the gulch wa
deep and the ground thaws slowl.
We've been building houses and dom
dead work, but we've got our men o
the ground waiting"
II am greatly interested. Won't 20
walk with us to the hotel? l want
, hear more about these wonderf,
placers,"
"Well. they are great placers," sal
the miner as the three walked on t
/ nathan NNnhnlx InnxUa how GREAT b.