The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-09-10

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The man jumped to their trifling dan
his feet AID stood at gers.'
0ttentton. There are en-
| emies-yesY' and Oscar nodded his
head solemnly in acceptance of the sit
| uation.
81 am going to trust you absolutely.
You have no confidants-you are not
marriedY
How should man be married who
is soldier? have no friends. They
are Improbable" declared Oscar SOL
emnly.
II fear you are pessimist, Oscar,
but pessimist who keeps his mouth
shut is good ally. Now, IL you are
not afraid Of being shot or struck with
knife, and if you ere willing to obey
my orders for few weeks we may be
able to do some business. First, re-
member that am Mr.. Armitage. You
must learn that now and remember it
for all time And If any one should
ever suggest anything else'-
The man nodded his comprehension.
"That will be the time for Oscar to
be dumb. L understand, Mr.. Armi-
tage"
Armitage smiled. The man present
ed SO vigorous picture of health, his
simple character was so transparency
reflected in his eyes and face that he
did not in the least question him.
"You are an intelligent person. SER
, geant. If you are equally discreet
able to be deaf when troublesome ques-
tions are asked, then think we shall
get on"
"You should remember began Os-
car
81 remember nothing" observed
Armitage sharply, and Oscar was
quite humble again. Armitage opened
trunk and took out an envelope. from
which he drew several papers and
small map, which he unfolded and
spread on the table. He marked
spot with his lead pencil and passed
the map to Oscar. .,.
"Do you think you could find that
placer"
The man breathed hard over it for
several minutes.
"Yes. 1t would be easy" And he
nodded his head several times as he
named the railroad stations nearest
the point indicated by Armitage. The
place was in one Of the mountainous
counties of Virginia, fifteen miles from
an east and west railway line. Armi-
tage opened duly recorded deed
which conveyed to himself the title to
1000 acres Of land; also curiously
complicated abstract of title showing
the successive transfers of ownership
from colonial days down through the
years of Virginia's splendor to the
dread time when battle shook the
world. The title had passed from the
receiver of defunct shooting club to
Armitage, who had been charmed by
the description of the property as set
forth in an advertisement and lured,
moreover, by the amazingly small
price at which the preserve was of.
fered.
ut is farm-yes"
at is wilderness, fancy" said
Armitage. II have never seen it. l
may never see it, for that matter. But
you will find your way there, going
first to this town, Lamar, studying the
country, keeping your mouth shut and
seeing what the improvements on the
ground amount to. There's some sort
Of bungalow there. built by the
shooting club. Here's description of
the place, on the strength of which I
bought it. You may take these papers
along to judge the size of the swim
dle."
"Yes, SIR
"And couple of good horses, plenty
Of commissary stores plain military
necessities, you understand-and some
bedding should be provided. I want
you to take full charge of this matter
and get to work as quickly as possible.
1t may be trifie lonesome down there
among the hills, but if you serve me
well you shall not regret It."
Eyes, am quite satisfied with the
job," said Oscar.
"And after you have reached the
place and settled yourself you will tell
the postmaster and telegraph operator
who you are and where you may be
found, SO that messages may reach you
promptly. If you get an unsigned mes
sage advising you of-let me consider
"A shipment of steers, you may expect
me any hour. On the other hand, you
may not see me at all. Wen consider
that our agreement lasts until the first