Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-12-20

can have 1t at any time. and | have
ordered q stay OF proceedings in the
other matter. There will be no further
trouble"
"Explaln yourself. please. Mr.. Pill
don't understand at ALL"
"why. am the quickest man in the
world TO rectify an error. and the mis-
take was mine. Aud now ! am anx
ious to prove II in a substantial way
You still own that pasture lotT
THE five acres of rocky land over on
the back road-yes"
"Will you sell II nowT
A prompt yes was on Mrs. Kanes
lips. Ella saw it and raised her hand
warningly. Her father had once Of
fered the lot for S1OO. and at their last
interview MIR. Pill had laughed de
risively and refused to consider it at
any price. There was evidently some
thing in the background.
What will you give for itY' she
asked cautiously.
"Well-er-say 81 1000. The error was
mine. aud | wish to do something
handsome to compensate you for the
annoyance"
Apparently he had expected them to
snap up his offer. but after the first
incredulous stare ELIAS face grew
scornful. Even her mother looked sus-
picious.
There is something behind this. Mr..
Pill" said Ella coldly. What is it?
You are not throwing away money"
The man seemed disappointed.
There is nothing at all, assure
you. except that-that- well. an old
neighbor OF yours was down yester-
day afternoon and acted very mys.
teriously. He mad some specimens
which he showed TO few people in
the postofiice but slipped into his
pocket when he saw me coming.
suspect he was trying to raise capital"
well"
II made inquiries. of course. secret
ly. That's business" his eyes shifting
a little. "and I've kept him under
watch all the time. The specimens
came from your old pasture. The
chances are there's nothing in 1t, but
| am always ready to invest money in
long risks. VIII you sell"
For a thousand. no.
1.-TWO thousandT eagerly.
mo"
"Three?"
At an imperative sign from Ella.
Mrs. Kane again shook her head.
II don't believe the lot is worth one
tenth that money" she answered. but
| am not quite ready TO sell yet, MIR.
Pill"
Lawyer PHI shufIled his feet few
moments. then turned away.
ITS all I'll give" he said sourly.
land you are making the mistake OF
your lives"
The next morning before they had
finished breakfast be was again at the
door. visibly excited.
THAT Archie Booth has been send
ing specimens away to an assay Of
fee" he began hurriedly. "Has he
been here?"
mo"
well. he's up to some sharp prac-
tice; mark my words on that. IL he'd
meant fair ne would have come
straight TO you aud talked the thing
over. I've had him watched all the
time. and everything he's done has
been SLY aud fun OF mystery. II it
were any other man ! wouldn't turn
my head. but Archie Booth is an ex-
pert aud don't dodge about like this
for nothing IN take chances and give
you $1,000 for the lot"
They both gasped. then Ella shook
her head.
Twenty thousand|
The gat, rlsNru. ard II boy ran M
the path with note. Lawyer Pm
watched Elln anxiously while she read
it.
"From 3oolh." he asked.
'Yes"
"Make IN otler?'
mo"
Well he will be here soon and try
to wheedie sou out of the land.
know these mysterious fellows. pre-
fer 10 De open ana pay full value. IN
give you S3O,0OO for the i've acres"
ELLA looked at ner mother ana nod
ded Slightly,
YES. we will accent It" said Mrs.
Kane. but warn you the place lsn't
worth thousand"
"l'll risk that. with alacrity. Now.
let us step inside and Tx up the pa
pers at once. ana / will make you out
a cheek"
AS he went buoyautly down the path
half hour later Mrs. Kane turned 10
ELLA,
What was that notey' she asked.
ELLA opened Il aud read
vRun Lawyer Pill up to twenty-five
thousand or So. then sell. ! don't think
ia better call now. for people around
here-and especially pill -don't know
that I'm friend OF the family. IN
he down again In Il few days and maGe
long visit, There Ia "A ledge of pref
" good building granite on the land.
~ lhttt .,.llt ,.saff A ittVia fnr A np-