The new era., 1909-09-02


which shone rainbc"
hued and dazzling. Down
in the valley an automobile carrying
three passengers and the chauffeur
rolled easily along white macadam
road until, at the direction of the man
who occupied the front seat with the
driver. the machine came to stop at
the crest of little knoll.
Get out. boys, and let's steal little
fruit. haven't robbed an orchard
since l was a kid" spoke Doc Floyd
to Col. Bill Powley and Jack Cleland,
who were with him on pleasure ride
\ few miles out OF Los Angeles.
Having satisfied their playful spirit
of larceny the little party stepped
back into the waiting auto and hur-
ried on back towards the city
There has been some fellow here
looking for you two or three times
this afternoon" the hotel clerk in
formed Floyd when he called for his
key when he was once more back in
the city. He didn't leave any card.
Said he'd be back this evening"
I've been thinking I'd like to take
a run up through the mining towns"
announced Cleland, VINO was known as
the pessimist of the party owing to
the fact that he never became enthus-
iastic over any question.
We'll, it's worth considering at any
rate. Jack. and I'll just sleep over. 1t
tonight. can't see that there is any
necessity for passing up any tricks.
By the way. wonder who 1t was that
was looking for me while we were
out?"
As II in answer to Floyd's query,
the house telephone bell rang and he
was informed by the operator that a
Mr.. Jackson wished to see him.
"All right, I'll see him here. Have
him come right up to my room," he
replied. 1T must be the fellow who
was looking for me this afternoon. -
he continued to Cleland when he had
hung up the receiver of the phone
II don't know who jackson Is. though.
Tho only Jackson I recall is our friend
Howard Jackson. who died In New
York three years ago."
At the sound of approaching steps
In the hall, Floyd turned and opened
his door without waiting for knock.
why. it's Howard's Kid brother" he
announced. as he grasped the hand
OF his caller IL friendly greeting. II
was just wondering who 1t could be- .
he explained. "This is Jack Cleland,
Tommy He knew your brother Howard
almost as well as l did. We were
ali shocked to hear Of his death when
that sudden spell of fever took him
on. You were with him at the time,
weren't you?"
Eyes. was there. 1t was pretty
tough. He was only sick week and
there were only the two of us left"
-And what are you doing way out
here on the other side of the world
Did you bring his racing stable out
here!"
mo. he only had ono good horse in
his stable. They were all sold at auc-
tion and didn't bring much more than
enough to square up his debts. was
never on the race track much. you
know. went to work in railroad
ONCE as soon as l got through high
school. came out here two years
ago to take place In the Office Of a
western road"
81 hope you like the railroad bust
ness and are prospering at It," was
the kindly intended remark of Floyd
although his discerning eye told him
that all was not well with his caller
"Well, that wasn't what l came tc
see you about" said young jackson
A-lxn&tc~ly wsnfod IN 600 v0,, ho
cause you are the only. old friend Of
my brother l have seep since came
west. 1 was In the hotel on business
this morning and chanced to see your
name on the register. wanted to
ask you about a debt George Stewart
Who was one time a partner OF my
brother. owed him when he died. II
wns q thousand dollars and I know
he owes It because l have a letter he
wrote Howard while he was Ill in
the hospital saying that he was sorry
not to be able to square the debt
then but was broke himself He
Dromlsed to pay up just as soon as he
got on his feet. I've since learned
INST he has made q lot of money and
have written him twice and never
got an answer. The last letter
wrote was returned by the hotel where
sent 1t. marked: Present address
anknown.'"
well, my boy. it's no wonder you
haven't had an answer. Stewart has
been in South America for nearly q
year. heard from him few weeks
ago He's almost in the millionaire
oaas through railroad deal that
some rich friend put him into down
vAete. He'll make good. and just tc
eleH you that have faith In him. I'm
yfHiag to advance you any part ol
{ the thousand dollars he owes youl
hruther'6 estate and III give you hil
peesent address 70 you can write t.
htn. He said he wouldn't be back II
th11 6onntry for six months.-. s
e$1s1l, that's the f1fst good news ~,