The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-24
CHAPTER XVII.

"
The marquee sale had proved dire
fasco-nearly $500 spent and abso.
lutely no result. For week or two
Crunden suffered from depression OF
spirits. was silent and thoughtful at
meals. nbsent-mindcd and gloomy In
the yard. Then he reused himself and
began to take energetic action. One
day he told Bowling that he had de-
termined to start building four decoy
houses at once. 1t had been originally
intended to start with two decoys,
but he now decided that he must
double the number. Dowlings plans
were all ready. the houses would
be OF the very latest styles
quaint yet handsome. tricky and start
ling in exterior design. but most COM
Portable and convenient inside. There
would be fantastic porches. green tiles,
bottle glass. hall doors OF unvarnished
oak studded with nails and spikes;
there would be shower baths. electric
bells. matches through which the food
could slide into the dining-room in
stead of troubling the servants to
carry It from the kitchen; there would
be run mouldings from America, archi-
traves, skirtings, and chair rails from
Sweden--in a word. they would be de-
coys so attractive that they could
scarce fail to lure the shy birds. Build
ers are like the birds in this. that they
like to begin building about Valentines
day; and Crunden wanted to get his
houses well out of the ground by that
date. With Bowling, he carefully Sc.
lected the best strategic sites-two on
the outside, one ut the top OF his new
roads. and one still higher. beyond all
roads, close to where the clubhouse
used to stand. This farther house
would be bold decoy. and would APP
pear inaccessible until success made It
worth ones while to bring the roads
up to it.
One must be bold when hesitation
and delay will be fatal. The great
London and Suburban Land Trust were
now giving attention to their Hill.
House estate Their boards were up.
and words on the boards showed clear
ly what redoubtable neighbors and
rivals this company would be. Money
advanced on easy terms"-that was the
company's large lettered message:
"Three-quartcrs of purchase may be
left at low rate of interest"
Mr. Parrot. In conversation with
Crunden. quoted this announcement
two days after the company's Soards
were first seen. Mr., Parrot was the
builder from Reigate who had taken
six plots. and thereon was to- build
three more rows Of cottages. lie had
signed his agreement. but he had done
nothing further; he was. ne said. fin
ishing his Reigate jobs-must hnisl,
there before he could begin here.
81 hope said Crunden sternly. u
haven't got hold of man Of straw"
ooh no." said Parrot Indignantly.
Nothing of the sort. But never told
YOU was made Of money. And II you
want to be off with the bargain, say
so. and you're welcome. shall only
ground-yes, and money. too"
"They won't give you ground for
cottages. Mr.. Parrot"
~ amt particular what build-es-
pecially when I'm being financed on
easy terms"
Crundens concealed his discomfort
affected to be satisfied with Parrots
excuses for diatoriness. politely ex-
pressed the hope that Parrot would
ike the birds, begin to build those snug
little nests by springtime. The con-
versation had shown him again how
essential 1t was to be beforehand with
his rivals If the companys boards
had been in position earlier he would
never have secured Parrot
He enlarged his staff at the yard.
He had intended to work with tue
smallest possible STAFF, but now ne ma .han !,
more than8thirty men on the weekly
| pay sheet. Twelve hands In the joiner's
shop a plumber and two mates In the
plumbers shop. two masons, three
plasterers. three painters who We're
also GLACIERS and pnperhangers, SIX OF
seven brlcklayers with eight or nine
laborers shop foremanlat 40 shlllings
a week, outside foreman at 5o \ shill-
ings. not to mention clerk at 80: Win
these Items to make UP the wages pl1l ,
Saturdays money needed thought anu
| calcrla ton. 81 He was in fact working
| soon with nearly full yard: he was
a builder again quite on the large scale
! as in the old days,
kent him In heart and courage. He
mad always thrven on hard work;
anxious waiting and Idle delay are
what enervate and enfeeble body ana
brain. At home he was always Cheer
ful now. Everything, he told Ltzzle,
WAS going on smoothly and prosper.
ously, Neither she nor his clerk need
ever worry their heads as the ultl.
mate success OF the great scheme. You
must sow before you can reap. I'M
money was pouring out, but It would
come rolling home again. All that
concerned the financial side OF the
scheme was entirely Mr. Crunden's at
fairs as to that side ct It he made made n no
conhdants, he required no advice
passesl, life at Kings Cottage settled
4 down into steady routine: wtthoVf
excitement, without holidays, With
nothing but healthy toll for every body
4 the time once more gltded fast.
4 Lizzie in her great indignation hay,
ing sent Mr. Jack to Coventry, kepI
A him In that town OF silence n many
4 weeks But at last she allowed him
/ 10 understand that his otiense he'd been '.s
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