The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-04-17
from last week.
CHAPTER XIV.

first action of his host was
most peculiar, for without ex-
PLANTATION he closed and care
fully locked the door. Richards ap-
prehensions were relieved, however.
when Mr.. Renwyck produced de-
canter and cigars, lighted his own per-
fecto and then lay back in his deep
leather chair and laughed till the tears
ran down his face The mystifled Tex
an smoked on in polite silence, pa
tiently waiting for some explanation
of the old mans humor. He could
wait quietly, since 1t was evident from
Mr.. Renwyck's exuberant Joy that
Richard had nothing personally to fear
that his secret was still his own.
After a time his host wiped his eyes
with his handkerchief and apologized
for his merrimel,t.
Forgive me, Lord Croyland," he
begged; "but, to tell you the truth,
just can't help it. Affairs In Tex
as are not only drifting my way, but
the whole situation has become intense
ly humorous. Why, it is regular
play. Old Bill Williams represents
tragedy, my company will shortly sup
ply melodrama, while third corpora
ton has appeared on the stage and is
furnishing both sides with comedy.
Let me explain"
"Do so, beg you," murmured Rich
ard, striving not to look as uncom-
Portable as he always felt when this
Texas business came up. The finan-
cier laughed again and proceeded:
GAS told you before, Bill Williams
company is working for a deep water
harbor at Matagorda City, while my
company is equally anxious to operate
at Longmatt. Very we'll. Now, listen.
i learned today that a new corpora
ton was organized last month under
the laws of the state Of New Jersey
Will Realty company. Think of it!
The very name will kill it in its teeth
ing stage"
"Who are back of this corporation"
asked Richard, greatly interested in
this new development
II don't know. They are probably
so ashamed of themselves that their
names are kept secret" laughed Mr.
Renwyck.
But I thought the incorporators"-
Dummies, like my own company,
only in this case all of them are real
dummies in fact as well as in theory"
II see."
1T develops that the promoters Of
this company, whoever they may be,
have gone down to Texas and invested
their capital in the states largest and
most generous product"
"And what is that?' asked Richard
in some surprise.
Hot air." returned Mr.. .Renwyck in
q paroxysm of mirth. "It's cheap, but
they seem to want it."
81 don't quite understand"
81 will enlighten you. They have a
ministerial looking representative of
the name Of Fishcall, whose innocence
can only be described as infantile.
This precious old lamb called upon a
firm of prom oters, Hill & Eaton, who
In strict confidence-happen to be my
agents, and asked their advice with re-
gard to a location for a deep water
harbor on the Texas gulf coast they
Intend to construct with the assistance
of a hoped for legislative appropria-
ton" Once more Mr.. Renwyck was
80 overcome by amusement that he
was forced to pause in his story. Now,
my company-I myself, you under
stand2" he began at length.
"Of course" said Richard, bowling.
n e. ~
with an utterly worthless tract Of land
along the gulf-a miserable, sun baked
little hole rejoicing in the name Of
Olivia, which lies midway between
Matagorda City and Longmatt, by the
way. Through Hill & Eaton we ad-
vised Brother Fishcall to buy this
tract, which-bless my soul-he did at
once and at our own price!
The amused Spectator glanced at
Richard and, mistaking his gloom for
q phlegmatic British lack of humor,
went on:
''It seems also that thereafter the
Peace and Good Will Realty COM
pany went to Bill Williams and asked
his advice. The old skinflint also own
GU u iOI VI WuASD
he promptly worked off on his confid-
ing benefactors. Now, look here, Croy-
land, you don't seem to appreciate the
joke"
"But, my dear SIR" began Richard
forgetting his role for moment.
BOLIVIA isn't such a bad-er-I mean
--eT'-
''Such q bad sale for me, eh?" laugh.
ed Mr.. Renwyck. unconsciousy help.
Ing his guest out Of hole. 81 should
say not! Why, my boy. we've sold Il
white elephant!'
Richard thought swiftly. Olivia, as
he was about to tell Mr.. Renwyck,
was not such n bad site for n deep wa
ter barbor after all. and in fact he had
always contended with his father that
1t was more advantageously located
for that purpose than Matagorda City.
Not only was the situation more CEN
trail. but 1t offered shorter and more
direct communication with freight
routes and main lines. True. the
country was sparsely populated In Its
vicinity. but settlers would come nat