The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1908-09-10

mered Plank, "that had ever thought
Of such a.
"Why not? 1t would only flatter
her"
"Tlatter woman who Is engaged to
marry another mani" gasped Plank.
Certainly. Do you think any wom-
an ever had enough admiration In this
world:" asked Mortimer coolly. And
as for Sylvia Lands, she'd be tickled
to death If anybody limited that ytu
bad ever admired her."
"Good Lordr exclaimed Plank,
alarmed. you wouldn't make a joke
Of it. You wouldn't be careless about
such a thing. And there's Quarter!
Pm not on joking terms with him. I'm
on most formal terms
"Quarrier" sneered the other, flick
ing at his stirrup with his crop. He's
on formal terms with every body. in
| Guiding himself. He never laughed on
| purpose in his life: once a month only.
|
Do you suppose any woman would
stand for him if better man looked
sideways at her" And, reversing his
riding crop, he deliberately poked Mr.
| Plank in the ribs.
IA better mani" muttered Plank,
scarce crediting his ears
! Certainly. A man who can make
jS hl1f t,,ny yrrt,n M
maze better is it Wit .le Les God
bless 'emv' he Added, displaying a
heavy set of teeth.
Beverly Plank knew perfectly well
that in the comparison so delicately
suggested by Mortimer his material
equipment could be scarcely compared
to the immense fortune controlled by
Howard Quarter, and as he thought
1t his reflections were put into words
by Mortimer, airily enough.
Nobody stands n chance, in show
down with Quarter. But
Plank gaped until the tension be-
came unbearable.
"But-what?" he blurted out
plank" said Mortimer solemnly
and his voice vibruted with feeling
"let me do a little thinking before
ask you IA vital question"
But Plank had become agitated
again, and he said something so blunt
ly that Mortimer wheeled on him
| glowering:
Look here. Plank; you don't suppose
I'm capable Of repeating a confidence
do you-if you choose to make me un
derstand it's a confidence?"
1T isn't confidence; it isn't any
thing. l mean it is confidential, oil
course. All there's in it is what
said, Or rather, what you took me
up on so fast ended Plank, abashed
about your being in love will
SyI'-
"Confound it," roared Plank. Grim
son to his hair. And he set his heavy
spurs to his mount and plunged for
ward in a storm of dust. Mortimer
followed. silent, profoundly immersed
In his own thoughts and deductions.
And all that afternoon having taker
to his room on pretense of neuralgia
he lay sprawled on his bed thinking
thinking. Not that he meant harm t,
anybody, he told himself very fire
Quently. He had, of course, informa
ton which certain degraded mel
might use in contemplate way. bu
he (Mortimer) did not resemble sucl
men in any particular. All he desired
was to do Plank a good turn Their,
was nothing disreputable in doing
wealthy man a favor. And God knew
wealthy mans gratitude was neces
sary to him at that very moment
gratitude substantially acknowledged
He liked Plank, wished him well
That was all right, too but a man i
an ass who doesn't wish himself wei
also. Two birds with one stone Three
for he hated Quarter! Four, for b.
had no love for his wife. Besides
would teach Leila a wholesome les
son-teach her that he still counted
serve her right for her disgustin,
friendship for Plank.
No, there was to be nothing dis
reputable in his proceedings; that b
would be very careful about. Proba
bly, Major Belwether might express hi
gratitude substantially if he, Mortimer
went to him frankly and volunteere
not to mention to Quarter the seen